WHEN PTOLEMAIC EGYPT RULED CYPRUS FROM 312 BC TO 58 BC
A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORICAL OVERVIEW PTOLEMAIC EGYPT & CYPRUS Ptolemaic Egypt’s rule over Cyprus marked quite a significant era in the island’s history. Their rule over the island more or less…
THE STORY OF THE HMS HIMALAYA’S ARRIVAL IN CYPRUS
A NEW OVERSEAS TERRITORY JULY 22ND 1878 THE ARRIVAL OF HMS HIMALAYA Although largely uneventful, the story of the HMS HIMALAYA’S arrival in Cyprus on July 22nd, 1878, remains poignant.…
THE IMAGE OF APHRODITE IN ANCIENT SCULPTURE
INSPIRED BY A CYPRUS BEAUTY Inspiring Aphrodite Works of Art Born from the foamy waters by APHRODITE’S ROCK, in Cyprus, the accepted contemporary image of Aphrodite, the goddess of love…
THE HAUNTING OF THE BERENGARIA HOTEL
ARE THERE REALLY GHOSTS AT BERENGARIA? NAMED IN HONOUR OF A QUEEN Located near the village of Prodromos, in the Limassol district of the Troodos Mountains, the Berengaria Hotel has…
THE DRAGOMAN OF CYPRUS
SKILLED CULTURAL MEDIATORS & POLITICAL NAVIGATORS WHAT IS A DRAGOMAN? The Ottoman Empire at its height was vast conquering several lands and many peoples. As their empire grew, the Ottomans…
ANCIENT CYPRUS POTTERY
A look at traditional Cypriot pottery A UNIQUE WINDOW INTO THE ISLAND’S PAST Traditional Cypriot pottery reflects both artistic workmanship and the everyday lives of its people. Evidence suggests that…
THE CITY-KINGDOMS OF ANCIENT CYPRUS
HOW THINGS ONCE WERE A REMARKABLE FEATURE OF THE ISLAND’S HISTORY Several ancient city-state kingdoms once governed Cyprus. Evidence suggests that some were settled as early as the 15th century…
WHEN THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR RULED CYPRUS FROM 1192 TO 1193
AN ISLAND BOUGHT FOR A PRICE! A HUGELY UNPOPULAR RULE The rule of the Knights Templar in Cyprus was a tumultuous and unhappy affair. It saw the island descend into…
HOW THE COIN GOT INTO THE NEW YEAR’S EVE CAKE ‘VASILOPITA’
A CAKE NAMED AFTER A SAINT SAINT BASIL OF CAESAREA Based on a real person, the Cypriot Santa Claus is represented in a slightly different way from other, more conventional…
KALLIKANTZAROI ‘A CYPRIOT FOLKTALE’
EXPLORING A CHRISTMAS FOLK TALE Cypriot Folklore Cypriot folktales often encompass a rich tapestry of myths and stories that are not only tied to superstitions but also to religion and…