AN OTTOMAN LEGACY
ROMAN LOOKS WITH OTTOMAN INGENUITY
The ever growing city of Larnaca, during the late 18th century needed more fresh water, so the Ottoman governor of Larnaca decided that he would construct a huge aqueduct. He wanted the new construction to not only supply much needed water, but to also create a statement and leave a legacy behind. The construction of the Kamares aqueduct in Larnaca began in 1747 and stands as a testament to Cyprus’s Ottoman rulers. Built using a Roman
style arch, the structure took a total of three years to complete. The aqueduct supplied clean water to the people of Larnaca from 1750 all the way up until 1936. The water came from various sources, the furthest of which was 10 km away. Modern pipes installed by British administrators rendered the aqueducts function redundant in 1936.Â
IT’S IN THE NAME
The aqueduct itself is located just outside the city centre, by the old road to Limassol. A cobbled area with benches and a footpath links the aqueduct with the Larnaca Salt Lake and provides an ambient setting for some lovely walks during the day or evenings. The name of the aqueduct derives from the Greek word for ‘arches’ and the immediate area surrounding the site also adopts the name Kamares.Â
OLDEST SURVIVING AQUEDUCT
The Kamares aqueduct is the oldest surviving aqueduct in Larnaca. It is considered one of the most important monuments constructed during the Ottoman period in Cyprus. The original structure in 1750 consisted of 75 imposing Roman style arches and columns that stretched for 16 km. Today, just over 20 arches have survived and are still intact.Â
UNDERGROUND WATER CHANNEL
The aqueduct had an underground water channel, which directed the water flow towards the aqueduct from several springs and a river. The aqueduct then supplied fresh water to the whole of Larnaca. The remnants of several small wells along with an old grain mill still exist.
