Historical Facts Of The Island

The island of Cyprus has a long history so long on this island that it dates back to prehistoric times that includes King Cinyas Teucer, this history even eludes to the belief that states there were disciples that walked the island, and some that visited a monastery that can be visited today on daily tours.

Cyprus' history

Historical places in Cyprus

There was evidence found that can date civilization back as far as approximately 10,000 BC on the island. This evidence showed these people were hunter-gatherers who resided on this island so very long ago. More was evidence found that dates to approximately 8200 BC of more settled villages, Some of the villages that have been found were toward the end of the century were Mylouthkia and several others and the most famous being Khiroktia. History on the island showed there was proof of the Chalcolithic and Neolithic period, with evidence found in many places on the island, this evidence also included decorated potteries and figurines made of stone that can be viewed today in some of the museums.

Figures from mythology also have a home and lore on the island and Adonis was also a part of the mythology of Cyprus as well as Aphrodite. Cyprus was said to be this Greek Goddess birthplace, the goddess of beauty and love. Aphrodite was said to be the daughter of Zeus and Dione and found at the Nicosia Museum in Cyprus is a statue of Aphrodite that has an approximate date of ca. 100 BC. and to be of Roman origin. There is also some legend that places Aphrodite as having a different birthplace, it is also said that she rose from the foam of sea near Paphos Cyprus. Those who worshipped Aphrodite did so on the southwestern coast of Cyprus as Paphos.

The baths of Aphrodite are sure to appeal to many that visit the beautiful area. Legend has it that Aphrodite would bathe with Adonis, her lover in this water. It is also said that anyone who bathes in the waters of the baths, then you will have found the blessing for eternal youth, as well as eternal beauty. It would not be very wise to be caught bathing in these waters however.

There is a festival held every year called the Paphos Aphrodite Festival and one which many attend and is sure to please resident and visitor alike.

Ayios Ioannis Cathedral was believed to have been built in 1662 by the Archbishop Nikiforos and with its 18th century wall paintings that have been restored is open to visitors year round and with the tomb of Saint Barnabas at Salamis, which lies near the cathedral.

Another of these places of worship filled with history that the island of Cyprus holds, is the village of Pear Khorio, where there is a church complete with frecoes from the 12th century and is called the church of the Holy Apostles.

August is the month when a religious festival is held in the village of Deftera Village near Panayia Chrysopiliotissa where Our Lady of the Golden Cave is located. This is a natural cave that has been painted and brings visitors from near and far who come in search of this religious spot on the island surrounded by the Mediterranean.

The monastery of Ayios Herakleidios Monastery, was originally built around 400 AD after which it was destroyed several times and rebuilt through the centuries until it was moved to a different location in 1773 by the Archbishop Chrysanthos. The Archbishop then renovated the church and placing the hand and skull in a silver gilt case of the Bishop of Tamassos. The belief was said this bishop guided Saint Paul and Barnabas when they visited Cyprus to the monastery. The Bishop of Tamassos lived in a cave where he also preached. It would be at the age of 60 when he was martyred and buried in this cave, from which the Archbishop of Chryanthos retrieved his skull and hand that is still on display. While this monastery had been destroyed, rebuilt and even moved one thing that has been kept in tact is the many frescoes.

One of the oldest churches that is known to exist on the island of Cyprus is from the Byzantine Empire, this church is located in Nicosia. The Chrysaliniotissa Church is thought to have been constructed on the island of Cyprus in approximately 1450 and ordered built by Queen Helena Paleologina and was devoted to Our Lady of the Golden Flax.

Many other church’s that still exist and can be visited, there is another part of Cyprus and it is their museums that hold treasures far back in history that other museums would have a difficult time finding such treasures and many of these are permanent exhibits.

There is also a museum on Cyprus that is named the Cypriot Coinage has exhibits that show the coinage of Cyprus dating from the 6th century BC, this is a permanent exhibit in the museum. There is the Cyprus Postal Museum, the Ethnological Museum and the Lefkosia Municipal Arts Centre, along with the Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum and the National Struggle Museum. These are just a small amount of the buildings and other parts of history that can still be seen today.

This rich and long of a history on this island that has been preserved in many ways because of its size and location brings the distant past to life in today’s world that is viewed by thousands of visitors yearly.

This is just a mere sampling of the many historical sites there are to visit on this island and there are some that are still in the process of being unearthed, bringing the excitement as each piece comes to life with its earth being moved away.