THE CYPRUS BLUNT NOSED VIPER
A VENOMOUS ENDEMIC SNAKE ENDEMIC TO CYPRUS The Cyprus blunt-nosed Viper (Macrovipera lebetinus), as the name suggests, is a venomous snake endemic to Cyprus. Its distinct triangular blunt nose, along…
WHO WERE THE FIRST INHABITANTS OF CYPRUS?
PEOPLE FROM THE NEAR EAST & LEVANT AREAS Evidence suggests that Cyprus was first settled by people in the Palaeolithic period, which is also known as the Stone Age. Artefacts…
CYPRUS’S ALMOND DRINK SOUMADA
A TRADITIONAL CYPRIOT DRINK ORIGINALLY MADE BY CYPRIOT MONKS Soumada is a traditional Cypriot drink that has a deep-rooted history. Normally taken with ice in the summer or served piping…
WHEN THE BYZANTINES RULED CYPRUS FROM 330 TO 1191
A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORICAL OVERVIEW THE DAWN OF THE BYZANTINE ERA The Roman Empire, after several extensive power struggles and a civil war, found itself divided from west to east in…
SOUVENIR HUNTING IN LIMASSOL’S ST. ANDREWS STREET
ONE OF LIMASSOL’S OLDEST STREETS FOR SHOPPING A VIBRANT ESSENCE Wanting to buy some souvenirs before travelling on, I decided to visit Limassol’s St. Andrews Street, which runs parallel to…
THE CYPRUS VOLUNTEER REGIMENT OF WW2
A LOCAL DEFENCE FORCE Cyprus found itself at risk at the beginning of World War 2. This was because of its strategic importance. It was agreed because of this that…
THE MONASTERY OF THE VIRGIN MARY SFALANGIOTISSA
AN EASY RELAXING ESCAPE A MONASTERY FOR NUNS NEAR LIMASSOL Tracing its origins back to the 11th century, this monastery lies approximately 6 km east of the City of Limassol.…
THE OTTOMAN DERVISHES OF CYPRUS
A NEW RELIGIOUS ORDER A NEW RELIGIOUS ORDER The Ottoman quest to conquer Cyprus was finally realised in 1571. This came after the final defences of the Republic of Venice…
THE PAPHOS MOSAICS
SEE THE PAPHOS MOSAICS AT THE PAPHOS ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK A ROMAN LEGACY A NEW ROMAN CAPITAL CITY Cyprus became a province of Rome in 58 BC. Paphos, because of its…
EPIPHANY, A CYPRUS HOLIDAY
EPIPHANY HOLIDAY HEAD TO THE COAST ON JANUARY 6TH THE EPIPHANY The Epiphany in Cyprus is a public holiday that is celebrated on January 6th every year. It generally marks…