Cyprus History & Culture: Top Landmarks You Must See

Cyprus, being both an island and a crossroad between Europe and Middle East, is an island of history and culture. The combination of Greek and Turkish cultures, as well as its centuries in the occupation of different empires, have left a memorable mark in the architecture, traditions, and lifestyle of the island. You are exploring a living museum as you are walking the streets of Cyprus, each street, each landmark and each museum has a story of the past. Since the old ruins of Kourion to the ancient castles of Kyrenia, Cyprus is the place of lovers of history and cultural explorers. It is scenic and rich in history, which is why the place is an ideal tourist spot especially to those who desire to explore nature and history simultaneously.

Cyprus is not only a land of landmarks, but its culture is a living coloured tapestry of festivals, traditional music, dance, and food that is a product of its rich and varied history. The island has seen the fall of empires, the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, each having left behind legendary buildings, art and legends. A trip to Cyprus provides the tourist with an opportunity to immerse him/herself in a living culture be it in the busy markets of Nicosia, the old-fashioned villages of Troodos or the scenic harbor towns of the coast. To the people designing their trip, the Oman-based Cyprus Tour Packages will offer guided tours of the historical sites as well as the cultural heritage around which the island has a lot to offer.

Ancient Ruins of Kourion

Kourion is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus that represents the ancient heritage of the island which is both Greek and Roman. The location is a Greco-Roman theater, early Christian basilicas, and complex mosaics, thousands of years old, located on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. The theater which is still utilized in performances to date, gives the visitor a glimpse of the lifestyle of the ancients and the way they used to entertain themselves within the panoramic views of the coastline. Strolling in Kourion, you are almost hearing the echoes of the past as you visit the ruins of villas with beautiful mosaics that represent the mythological scenes and the life in the ancient times.

Kourion is not only ruins, but the mixture of cultures, which have shaped Cyprus during the thousands of years. Artifacts have been discovered both in Greek and Roman eras as archaeologists have been able to recognize the strategic value of the island in the Mediterranean. The House of Eustolios with its intricate mosaic floors is also available to the visitors as well as the early Christian basilica that offers the insight about the religious development of the island. Travelers who wish to learn more about the history of Cyprus, as well as go on a guided tour and learn about its history, Cyprus Tour Packages by Oman through GoKite Oman presents a chance to immerse into this great location.

The Tombs of the Kings

The Tombs of the Kings is a UNESCO World Heritage site located close to Paphos and provides an insight into how the elite used to bury their dead. Although so named, there were actually no kings buried in it, but all important officials and the aristocrats of the Hellenistic and Roman times were buried there. Cypriot architecture can be described as quite sophisticated as the tombs are designed of solid rock and are further decorated with Doric columns, underground rooms and frescoes on the walls.

As one strolls around the necropolis, they get to wonder how huge and how accurate the tombs are, and they are as old as the 4 th century BCE. The integration of the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences is also featured in the site which makes the site a visit to any one who is keen on the diversity of the history of the island. The Tombs of the Kings is not merely an archeological wonder, but it is also the location where one can think over the rich heritage of the culture of Cyprus. A visit to this site in a Cyprus Tour will make sure that visitors have a complete view of the ancient societal structures in the island.

Kyrenia Castle

Kyrenia Castle is located on the north coast of Cyprus and it is one of the reminders of the medieval history of the island. The castle was originally constructed by the Byzantines and later extended by the Lusignans and Venetians and has been used in various ways throughout the centuries as a fortress, prison. Indoors, they can visit the shipwreck museum that contains an example of a Greek merchant ship dated 4th century BC and a captivating selection of the artifacts.

Kyrenia Castle is a well-positioned place close to the harbor which has breathtaking scenery of the Mediterranean. Its massive walls, bastions and watch towers give us the stories of sieges, wars, and sea trade. The castle is a must visit place when one wishes to experience the medieval period of history of Cyprus, and a combination of architectural brilliance and scenic beauty merge in the castle. Those tourists who want to study this site thoroughly can use the offered itineraries by Oman in their Cyprus Tour Packages, offering their guided tours and cultural experiences.

St. Hilarion Castle

St. Hilarion Castle is located in the mountains of Troodos and is full of legends and breathtaking views. It was constructed during the Byzantine era as a monastery and subsequently it was converted to a fortress to protect against the invaders. With towers on sharp cliffs and crashing walls of stone, it looked like a fairy tale, which inspired the structure of the Sleeping Beauty Castle by Disney.

The visitors are able to ascend the winding stairs and the three principal parts of the castle the lower, the middle and the upper castles with each having its own viewpoints and historical monuments. St. Not just does Hilarion give us an idea of the medieval fortifications that used to exist in Cyprus, but also it is a breathtaking panoramic sight of the northern part of the coast. To have a smooth journey, including transport and sightseeing, tourists are able to select specially designed Cyprus Tour itineraries by Gokite Oman.

Paphos Archaeological Park

The Paphos Archaeological Park is a huge open-air museum which consists of Roman villas, ancient theaters and beautifully designed mosaics. Being one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites it displays the grandeur of the Roman life on the island and such places as the House of Dionysos and the House of Theseus offer a chance to see the fine mosaic artworks, which have been preserved over the course of centuries.

The tourists can walk around the ruins envisioning the luxurious ways of life of ancient people. Early Christian basilicas and tombs can also be found in the park and they demonstrate the development of the cultural and religious landscape of Cyprus. When visiting Oman, Paphos Archaeological Park is part of your Cyprus Tour Packages, as it will allow travelers to sense the rich colors of history and art and cultural mix that makes Cyprus what it is.

Lefkara village: A cultural treasure.

Castles and ruins indicate the richness of the history of Cyprus, but Lefkara Village is the embodiment of its culture. Known as a lace maker and silver worker, Lefkara is an ideal representation of artisanal tradition in Cyprus that was continued throughout the generations. Small cobbled streets, stone structure houses and local markets in the village enable the visitor to experience the true life of Cyprus.

Lefkaras craftsmanship is not only beautiful, but the cultural one as well. There are still local craftsmen who make lace and silver jewelry in the same centuries old style. A trip to Lefkara provides tourists with an opportunity to get original gifts as well as be a part of the cultural pulse of this island. By visiting Cyprus Tour packages, it is possible that the tourists get to experience workshops that are interactive hence making the journey even more memorable.

Nicosia: History and Culture Capital.

The most interesting mix of the old and the new is in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. The Green Line divides the city into the Greek and Turkish parts, which offers a certain opportunity to have a glimpse of the modern history of the island. The old town of Nicosia is full of Venetian walls, ancient churches and bazaars with many centuries of trade and cultural interaction.

Taking a stroll around Nicosia, the tourists can visit the Cyprus Museum, which accommodates the largest part of the artifacts dating back to the Neolithic era and up to Byzantine era. There are also a lot of entertainment in the city in terms of culture with traditional music, dancing, and local foods. To those travelers that are planning to explore the island in depth, Cyprus Tour Packages at Oman usually have guided tours of Nicosia so that one would be able to have full knowledge of the dynamic history and culture of the island.

Limassol Castle

Limassol Castle, which is situated in central Limassol, is a medieval castle that has had a great influence in the history of Cyprus. It was originally constructed in the Byzantine era but it was restructured by the Lusignans. The castle present day contains the Cyprus Medieval Museum that contains artifacts, manuscripts, and armory of the medieval period.

The strategic position of the castle by the old harbor helps to underline historical significance to protect the city and trade routes. The visit to Limassol Castle is an exciting experience that presents a historical look into the life of the military and social history of Cyprus, and therefore it is a site that should be included in the list of things to see among the lovers of history. Visiting such a site as a part of the Cyprus Tour is sure to provide the traveler with an insight into the historic value of the fortresses in Cyprus and their beauty.

Conventional Festivals and Cultural Experiences.

An island that has numerous festivals and cultural celebrations, Cyprus provides their visitors with an opportunity to explore the rich traditions of the location. The carnival of Limassol, Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood), and Wine Festival of Limassol are events that celebrate the heritage and folklore of the island, and the seasonal cycles. Tourists will be able to listen to traditional music, dance, and local dishes, which will give them a comprehensive experience of the culture of Cyprus life.

The festivals enable visitors to experience how traditional traditions are merged with modern ones. Being a tourist in Oman and other nations, taking part in a Cyprus Tour with kind of organized festival experiences guarantees them the perfect cultural insights and the memories that remain everlasting.

Conclusion

Cyprus is not only a tourist attraction, but a living and breathing melting pot of past, culture, and tradition. Since ancient ruins and medieval castles through old villages and highly animated festivals, there is no part of the island that is not narrating a history of the rich and varied past. These wonders are easily available to travelers by taking curated Cyprus Tour Packages from Oman that provide a hassle free enriching experience of historical sites as well as the cultural wonders of Cyprus.

When visiting a Cyprus Tour with Gokite Oman, the traveler can not only explore the world-known locations such as Kourion, the Tombs of the Kings, and Paphos Archaeological Park but also get to experience the cultural dimensions in the island through the selection of cultural experiences. Cyprus is the place that will allow a man of history, a cultural traveler, or just a traveler to have amazing memories of the places he has been and the time that he lived. Gokite Oman will make every tourist find the right balance of exploration, education and cultural experience in this amazing island.