Cyprus’ history is one of wars and invasions – a penalty of being in such a strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean. As recently as 1974 the north of the island was invaded by Turkey – even today the news in Cyprus is dominated by what hope there is for a reunited island.
A consequence of [...]
Chlorakas is famous as the landing site of Colonel George Grivas in 1954 at the start of his guerrilla campaign against the occupying British. The beach where he came ashore is known as Dhigenis’ landing.
Near the landing site is a small museum dedicated to EOKA. Its centrepiece is a fishing trawler that returned George Grivas, [...]
You don’t have to dig very deep to find traces of Cyprus’ recent history.
Pre-1974, villages tended to be ‘Greek Cypriot’ or ‘Turkish Cypriot’. So after the events of 1974, the majority of the Turkish Cypriots left in what had become the Greek Cypriot area fled north, leaving their homes behind. The houses – and in [...]
The hidden Venetian bridges in Paphos Forest are testimony to the Venetians rule from 1489-1571.
The bridges formed part of the old camel trail, built to aid the extraction of anything valuable the Venetians could find on the island, for example copper from Pera pedi.
Recently the Department of Forests has opened up a trail from the [...]
This one is a bit of a mystery. Polemi Concentration Camp? Who were the inmates? Why were they held? How long were they held?
The camp is easy to find. It’s on the edge of Polemi, just after you turn off the main Paphos to Polis road at Stroumbi towards Polemi and next to SODAP’s Kamanterena [...]
The Mosaics of Paphos: House of Dionysos, House of Theseus and the recently excavated House of Aion. Kato Paphos, near the harbour. The amazing mosaic floors, of these 3rd century AD noblemen’s villas, are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mostly depict scenes from Greek mythology and are beautifully executed. The intricate [...]