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Larnaka: The Town of Saints |
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 Most travellers first see Cyprus at Larnaka. No welcome could be sunnier: at Larnaka, deep blue seas meet bright sand beaches under incomparably brilliant skies. One of the first sights is the beautiful Salt Lake, home in the cooler months to colonies of graceful flamingos and other migratory birds. Beside the Salt Lake, in a tranquil setting crowned by lush palms, is the Hala Sultan Tekesi, built to the memory of the Prophet Mohammed's aunt.
Originally called Kition in the days of the Old Testament, Larnaka reached a heyday as a commercial centre in the 1700's. During the 18th and 19th centuries, under Ottoman and British rule, it gradually regained some of its former importance. Most of the European states of the time had established their consulates in the city, while the port became the busiest in the island, both in terms of passenger and freight traffic. It was during that time that the ancient name of Kition was abandoned and replaced by that of Larnaka (or Larnaca), which is a derivative of the ancient Greek word "larnax", meaning sarcophagus, because of the presence of many ancient tombs in the wider area of the city.
 Throughout the centuries, Kition had remained one of Cyprus's main city-states, enjoying periods of prosperity when trade was flourishing. It is connected with important milestones in the island's history that include the liberation of the city from the Persian yoke by the Athenian General Kimon, and the presence in the city of Lazarus, the man Jesus Christ brought back from the dead. A church built in his name exists on the spot where his remains were said to be found. The modern city of Larnaka is built on the shores of the Bay of Larnaka in the South-East of the island, a few kilometres to the north of the ancient kingdom of Kition. It is characterized by low relief as no part of the city has an elevation of more than 50 metres.
The city of Larnaka is well known for its picturesque seafront, which includes rows of palm trees, oi finikoudes, in Greek. Cafes and taverns line the area near the sea, making this a popular spot with visitors and Cypriots alike during the long summer. Nearby is the Marina, frequented by yachtsmen from all over the world. At the western end of the promenade is the town's 17th century fort, which now houses the Larnaka mediaeval Museum. Much of the activity is centred on the city promenade during the major festivals. The most important of these for the city of Larnaka is Kataklysmos or the Festival of the Flood, celebrated in early summer with a series of cultural events.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 April 2008 )
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Larnaca
