According to ethnicityology, the capital of Cyprus since the 10th century and one of the oldest cities on the planet – Nicosia, carries a huge history. People have lived in the city since the Bronze Age, but in those days it was called Ledra. The central and most beautiful part of the capital – “Old Nicosia” has an unusual radial layout and is surrounded by an impressive ring of bastions and the gates of the Venetian wall. This ring used to perform the main protective function of the city. The Famagusta Gate is certainly considered a real masterpiece of national architecture. Various exhibitions and musical performances are constantly held in its interior. Not far from the Gate, is the oldest church in Cyprus in the Byzantine style – Chrysaliniotissa, built in the middle of the 15th century. Today, the church building houses an impressive collection of Byzantine icons. In general, a significant part of the most important sights of the capital is located within the protective ring. Also in the central part of Nicosia is one of the main attractions of the capital – the Archbishop’s Palace. This building houses the main residence of the spiritual leader of Cyprus, and given the fact that for the inhabitants of Cyprus, the church plays an important role, this place is considered the heart of the country. In front of the entrance to the palace stands a majestic statue of the first president of an independent country and Archbishop Makarius III. Now the palace houses the Byzantine Museum and the Art Gallery, which contains the most valuable Byzantine icons. Here, nearby are other interesting places in Nicosia: the Cyprus Museum, the Municipal Park and much more. Larnaca is a city that was repeatedly mentioned in the Bible, but then it was called Kition. Now it ranks third in size on the island. In the 18th century, Larnaca was an important trading center in Cyprus, and major European states kept their representative offices here. The times when the income from trade was in the first place here are long gone, and now the city lives mainly on income from tourism, as it is considered one of the best resorts in Cyprus. In a convenient and cozy harbor lies the most famous and best yacht club in the country, popular not only on the island, but all over the world. The best place for walking in Larnaca is the Palm Embankment, but not only for this it is famous, in its southern part there is the Larnaca fortress, built in 1625, as well as a unique historical monument to the Greek commander Kimon, who died in 449 BC. during the defense of Cyprus from the attack of the Persians, it is unique in the first place because it is difficult to find a monument to such an ancient commander in the world. The city is also known for its museums, the most famous of which is Pieridis. The museum is located in one of the villas of the 19th century; there are very few such villas left here. The museum presents the most interesting exhibits that tell about the history of Cyprus – these are clothes, ceramics, glassware, furniture and much more. There is also a souvenir shop in the same building where you can buy something interesting. One of the most popular cities among tourists is Paphos. The city is located in the south-west of the island, and according to the legend, the famous Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, appeared from the sea foam in its vicinity. During the Roman Empire, Paphos was the capital of Cyprus. One of the main places of the city is the Port Fortress. The construction of this structure began under Alexander the Great, but many times it was destroyed, and it was rebuilt again. The fortifications have survived to this day. The lower tiers were used as a prison, while the upper tiers were used as an elaborate defensive system. In the western part of Paphos, grandiose tombs have been carved into the rocks. Here, starting from the 3rd century BC. prominent personalities of Cyprus were buried. Although the burial sites were plundered in antiquity, the architecture of this place will amaze the imagination of any person. Paphos is known among tourists not only for its historical sights, but also for its excellent beaches stretching for many kilometers along the sea coast. Taking into account the beaches belonging to the hotels, the total length of the beaches of Paphos is more than 80 km. Paphos is known among tourists not only for its historical sights, but also for its excellent beaches stretching for many kilometers along the sea coast. Taking into account the beaches belonging to the hotels, the total length of the beaches of Paphos is more than 80 km.
National cuisine of Cyprus
The basis for the local cuisine was Greek and Arabic cuisine, but a distinctive feature of the local cuisine is the greater use of fish and other seafood. The most famous Cypriot dish is “meze”, which is an assortment of a large number of ingredients (about 20-30). Depending on the geographical part of the island, the set of ingredients also changes, “meze” is vegetable, fish and meat. Of the appetizers, the most popular is the unusual shish kebab, which is wrapped in a tortilla. Meat, as a rule, is baked on coals, or in pots with a variety of spices. It is also worth trying dishes that use traditional Cypriot cheeses (feta and halloumi), they also prepare delicious salads and side dishes for meat dishes. The main desserts are represented by rather unusual dishes, for example, green walnuts in syrup, semolina halva and sweet rice porridge with spices. Desserts characteristic of the Arab countries are also popular, such as fruits in sugar, etc. Of the alcoholic beverages, Cyprus is most famous for its rose and red wines. It is even known that the vine for French champagne was brought from Cyprus.
