|
Choirokoitia
About 32km from Larnaka and 48km South of Lefkosia,
off Lefkosia-Lemesos highway
The
ancient site of Choirokoitia is included since 1998 in
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage official list. It is the
site of a Neolithic settlement found in a better state of
preservation than most others from this period, not only
in Cyprus but also in the whole of Eastern Mediterranean.
It represents through its consecutive phases of building
the whole history of Neolithic period in Cyprus and
divulges precious information as to the spread of
Neolithic culture throughout the region.
General Development Plan of Choirokoitia has as its
objective to maintain the authenticity of the place, to
protect natural and man-made environment and to give out
information through the creation of a Visitors' Center.
Five dwellings in close proximity have been reconstructed
following Neolithic model, using the same methods and
traditional materials and have been furnished with copies
of objects actually found inside houses during
excavations, in order to give a better impression of the
layout of the village, as it was in antiquity. In addition
the plant life around these huts represents plants that
were cultivated or indigenous trees that grow in Cyprus
since Neolithic times.
Kalavasos - Tenta
40 km from Larnaka, 2.5 km off Lefkosia-Lemesos road
Tenta,
one of the most important Neolithic settlements in Cyprus
of 7000 BC, lies near the village of Kalavasos. The site
is not yet open to the public.
Lefkara
8 km from Skarinou, off Lefkosia-Lemesos road, 40 km
from Larnaka
A
picturesque village, famous for its local lace known as 'Lefkaritika'
and for its silverware. According to tradition, Leonardo
Da Vinci visited the village and bought an altar cloth,
which he donated to Milan Cathedral. Beautiful House of
Patsalos houses the Lace and Silverware Museum of Lefkara.
Church of Archangelos Michail in Kato Lefkara is of the
single aisled domed type and has wall paintings of late
12th century. At Pano Lefkara, there is the church of the
Holy Cross, with a beautiful 18th century iconostasis and
a unique 13th century silver cross. A religious fair takes
place on 13th-14th September, in celebration of the
Exaltation of Holy Cross.
Agios Minas Convent
Near Lefkara
15th
century monastery with a church at the center of
cloisters. Nuns, besides performing their religious rites,
are involved in icon painting. Monastery is open for
visits daily, except between 12:00-15:00. For organized
group visits the monastery is open from Monday to Friday.
Church Of Panagia Iamatiki
A three-aisled wooden roofed church with excellent wall
paintings of Italo-Byzantine style, dating to the first
half of 16th century.
Agios Antonios Church
Kellia village
This
is one of the most important Byzantine churches of Cyprus,
possibly of 9th century. It is a three-aisled vaulted
basilica, which has undergone many reconstructions and
repairs. It preserves significant wall paintings surviving
from 9th, 11th, 13th centuries.
Kostas Argyroy Museum
Mazotos
The
museum displays works of local sculptor Kostas Argyrou.
Visits could be arranged by phone, No. (04) 43 22 77.
|
