Cyprus, the other island of beauty

Start the slideshow

With the Mediterranean as a backdrop, the Greco-Roman theater of Kourion is one of the most impressive sites of Antiquity.

-

At the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean.

A strategic position which explains its eventful history.

Mycenaeans, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Franks, Venetians, Ottomans and British alternately coveted it.

Even today, the north of the country is occupied by Turkey, making Nicosia the last divided capital of the West.

But despite successive influences, Cyprus has never denied its Greek identity, based on mythology.

It is indeed in the foam of its waves that Aphrodite, the ancient goddess of love and beauty, would have appeared.

According to legend, the exact place of this birth would be Petra tou Romiou, the “Rock of the Greek” posed on an elegant coast of blond limestone.

Nearby, Palaepaphos was one of the most famous pilgrimage centers in the Hellenic world.

Today you can walk through the ruins of the sanctuary of Aphrodite, the oldest stones of which date from the 12th century BC.

Pushed by the zephyr on the shores of Cyprus, Aphrodite would have emerged from the foaming waves, between the rocks of Petra tou Romiou.

- Jean-Claude Urbain

For archeology enthusiasts, Cyprus is an open-air museum.

From the town of Limassol, the sites stretch along the south coast to Paphos.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remains of this locality bear witness to a vast period, stretching from Prehistory to the Middle Ages.

Jewels of the site, the mosaic floors of the four Roman villas known as Dionysus, Theseus, Aeon and Orpheus are considered to be the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.

Unmissable, the site of Kourion also has magnificent mosaics.

But this important "city-kingdom" is best known for its Greco-Roman theater dating from the 2nd century BC. At dusk, the spectacle offered by this stage open to the sea makes it possible to feel the excitement of the men who decided to celebrate the cult of beauty here.

Time suspended

The scenic routes that take visitors away from the ancient remains of Cyprus climb up the Troodos Mountains, encountering a more recent heritage, inherited from Christianity.

Culminating at nearly 2,000 meters, this pine-covered massif is the island's green lung.

Its flanks dotted with small villages with cobbled streets welcome skiers during the winter and lovers of the great outdoors the rest of the year.

The green massif of Troodos sits in the center of the island.

- Jean-Claude Urbain

Many Byzantine churches and monasteries are nestled between the vineyards and orchards of the Troodos.

Protected from hostile incursions, these religious buildings have remained intact and are still suffused with a powerful spirituality.

Their heavy wooden doors open onto impressive wall frescoes depicting certain passages from the Bible in multicolored scenes.

Among the ten sites listed here as World Heritage, Kykkos Monastery is remarkable for its icon of the Virgin Mary.

The miraculous work is said to have been painted by Saint-Luc himself.

Protected under a silver cap, it sits in front of a sumptuous partition (iconostasis) in dazzling gold.

Prized for the healing properties of its sulfur springs, the village of Kalopanagiotis is home to the church of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis, whose frescoes dating from the 13th and 16th centuries cover all surfaces, from the domes to the pillars.

The Byzantine church of Agios Loannis Lambadistis has frescoes of extraordinary richness.

- Jean-Claude Urbain

But Cyprus is not only looking to its glorious past.

In the bustling cafes of each village, noisy backgammon games are played out in the scrolls of hookahs.

And if there is a city, on the island, synonymous with modernity, it is Limassol.

Cosmopolitan, this coastal city is bustling with taverns, galleries and shops.

Ultra-trendy, its new marina is the ideal starting point for exploring the country.

Trip

Dominique, the most discreet of the Antilleans, always dresses in green

Trip

In Vorarlberg, in western Austria, hiking rhymes with banquet

Go

Cyprus being part of the European Union, a valid identity card is sufficient to get there.

But beware, access to the territory may be restricted depending on the health context.

Move

It is easy to explore Cyprus by rental car.

But beware, the island has kept the habit of driving on the left from the British occupation.

For those who do not wish to try it, bus companies connect all the cities.

Restore

Served in Cypriot taverns, the mezze consists of several small dishes.

This traditional meal can count up to thirty!

Salads with olives, sesame, tarama or yogurt sauces, red wine octopus, fried calamari rings, snails, vinegared cauliflower, grilled cheese, smoked pork and sausages, meatballs, vine leaves, moussaka, stew of beef… To taste everything, it is better to take your time and be satisfied with small portions.

Are you still hungry?

Make way for desserts with, at the top of the list, candied fruit and Turkish delight, which the Geroskipou factory has the secret.

Considered the oldest wine in the world, Commandaria goes perfectly with these sweets.

But the island produces many other alcoholic essences such as brandy or ouzo.

Visits

Decent attire is required inside Byzantine churches and monasteries, where photos are prohibited.

The most important museums on the island are concentrated in Nicosia.

The collections of the Cyprus Museum retrace the development of local civilization, from the Neolithic to the beginning of the Byzantine period.

And within the walls of the archdiocese, the Byzantine museum has the largest collection of icons on the island. 

• antiquity

• Heritage

• Cyprus

• Mediterranean

• Tourism

• Trip