About Cyprus
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily and Sardinia and is situated in the north-east basin of the Mediterranean Sea the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus is a member of European Union.
It is 25 min flying time from Israel & Lebanon, 40 min from Egypt, I hour from Greece, 2 hours from Italy, 3 hours from Switzerland and Germany and 4 hours from UK, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
The estimated population of Cyprus is about one million with Greek Cypriots, the largest ethnic group, accoutring for almost 80%. Turkish Cypriots, British, Armenians, Maronites and other ethnic groups make up the remaining 20%.
Cyprus has a long and varied history. The Mycenaeans Achaeans brought their civilization here, establishing the first Greek roots 3.000 years. Its strategic position made it an object of contest among the great powers ruling the world at different time including Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans and the British. Each one of these people, in its own way, left its mark on the island but the Greek character of the island remains predominant.
Here you find prehistoric settlements, ancient Greek temples, Roman theatres an villa, early Christian basilicas, Byzantine churches and monasteries, Crusader castles, Gothic churches and Venetian fortifications. The Apostles of Christ walked this land.
The cultural heritage of a people its most important asset, its identity and sense of continuation through time.
In the Villages, old customs and traditions are still kept alive. Young girls still in lace- making just as their grandmothers did before them. Potters still create wondrous anthropomorphic shapes to decorate their earthenware vessels and the sound of hand-looms can still be heard, whilst, men in traditional baggy trousers, “vraka”, still congregate at the coffee shop for a game of backgammon.
The aura of the Great Goddess of Cyprus, Aphrodite , is still present in Pafos and all aver the sweet land of Cyprus in the beauty of the landscape, the mildness of the climate and the charm of the people. The immortal words of Euripides and Sophocles ring out on warm summer evenings at the Ancient Kourion Theatre and Pafos Odeon during performances of ancient Greek drama.
In September wine flows free and the spirit of Dionysus, God of wine and merriment, is present in the wine festival. In the narrow streets of the walled city of Lefkosia, the coppersmith works with metal as did his ancestors 5.0000 years ago. In the shade of old houses with their overlooking balconies, the flavor of the past lingers among the old typical stone houses.
Cyprus is blessed with natural beauty that ranges from golden beaches and rugged coastlines to rolling hills and forest clad mountains, and is dotted with picture square village, each with its own traditional charm.
In Cyprus the past co-exists side by with the present in a unique tapestry of living history.