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About Limassol

Lemesos ( Limassol )

 

The island's second largest city, Lemesos (Limassol) spreads out between two ancient city-kingdoms, Amathous to the east and Kourion to the west, two of the most spectacular archaeological sites in Cyprus. It is the island's main port, the centre of the wine industry and a bustling holiday resort. A large number of hotels and hotel apartments line a 15 km coastline interspersed with eucalyptus groves and linked by a promenade popular with walkers or joggers.

Wander round the narrow streets of the old town radiating out from the fishing harbour. The medieval castle was the site of the royal wedding in the Middle Ages between Richard the Lionheart and the Berengaria of Navarre, are now houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum. Browse through the array of goods and produce in the atmospheric market.

The town's inhabitants are renowned for the their love of fun so not suprisingly the nightlife is varied, with all sorts of tavernas, discos and clubs. Enjoy a summer concert under the stars in the Creco-Roman theatre of Kourion, or join in the Bacchian excesses at the Wine Festival in September, or have fun at the Carnival with its fancy dress chariot parade and parties.

A short drive out into the surrounding countryside will take you through vineyards and quant wine producing villages. The castle of Kolossi is where the sweet dessert wine "Commandaria", the world's oldest named wine, was produced by the knights of St John og Jerusalem who had their headquarters here in the Middle Ages.

Germasogeia dam and Akrotiri salt lake, at the edge of which is the Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats, are unique wetlands ideal for observing nature and wildlife and peaceful places to relax, go for a walk or indulge in some angling or birdwatching. 



Why Cyprus

Through its 11 millennia of recorded civilization the Island of Cyprus has been captured and held by 17 different Nations. We know why this island has mesmerized all kinds throughout the eons everyone who’s visited it has wanted to claim a piece of it. So we invite you to come and witness for yourself with your own eyes and senses.

In ancient Pafos, the goddess had her temples where priestesses taught lovemaking to the men from all over the then known world, as a ritual to please Aphrodite. So sensual a land laying lazily in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the myth puts Aphrodite goddess of beauty and sensuality in being born through the orgasmic caresses of the sea on its shores.

Today, history and cutting edge development in all sectors of this vibrant economy are comfortably intertwined on the island. Ravishing five-star resorts within walking distance of well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins offer every amenity the modern traveler has come to expect and much more, from knock-out pools, flourishing gardens, beachfronts and to state of the art thalasotherapy health spas. One of the most impressive archaeological sites, the ancient city kingdom of Kourion, overlooks a magnificent stretch of beaches with a sparkling blue sea beyond.

Along the islands sun-kissed coastline, from Agia Napa in the east to Pafos in the west, world-class beach resorts alternate with settings untouched since antiquity.

If you can bring yourself to succumb the slow and seductive rhythms of the interior, it’s guaranteed memory which will never be forgotten. There are old wine-producing villages with atmospheric winding streets and terraced vineyards. You can often stay the night for a song in cozy renovated traditional houses at very affordable prices, which are part of the Cyprus agro tourism program.

Explore Greek Orthodox churches nestled in the hills whose walls conceal vibrantly painted Byzantine frescoes. Many are found among the pine-covered peaks of the Troodos Mountain, where a sublime silence can dissolve all sense of time, not to mention stress.

Sophisticated cities successfully balance the ancient and modern. The capital, Lefkosia (Nicosia), is surrounded by Venetian walls with heart-shaped bastions; Larnaka, site of the major international airport, is also home to St. Lazarus Church and the crypt of the eponymous saint resurrected by Christ.

Near the animated harbour at Pafos are the Roman floor mosaics of the Houses of Aion, Achilles and Dionysus, their depictions of mythological scenes amazingly well preserved.

Limassol with its unique fusion of influences is a fascinating and exciting destination. It is a land where the traditional and modern co-exist offering desirable contemporary facilities yet still extending the local warm hospitality which characterizes Cyprus.

Throughout Cyprus, the typically Mediterranean landscape is still blessed with the timeless beauty of antiquity. There are crusader fortresses framed by tall cypress trees, Greco-Roman theatres carved out of cliffs and Byzantine monasteries perched improbably on mountaintops.

In a few words Cyprus has been a destination of the civilized world throughout history why not makes it yours as well.



Celebrations

Festival celebrations take place throughout the year both at Agios Tychonas and Limassol. They reflect the culture and customs of Cyprus, as well as the religious, historical and agricultural traditions of the area. Cyprus, and particularly the Agios Tychonas area, is a place where celebrations are a regular part of life.

In chronological order, here are the main celebrations:

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The Carnival

In the springtime, the rebirth of nature and its metamorphosis into a beautiful flowery bed brings with it the carnival...
The Carnival lasts for two fun filled weeks, with masquerade parties lasting throughout the night finally culminating in a grand parade through the central streets of the city, watched by thousands of people.

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Holy Spirit Day

Holy Spirit Day coincides with Pentecost. Both are popular religious celebrations. The centre of festivities in the area is Limassol where various summer games are organized.

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Green Monday

Its roots originate in the ancient festival of the wine God Dionysus, signifying the start of the Christian Orthodox Pentecost marking fifty days before Easter.
Green Monday is always the first day immediately following the Carnival parade. People celebrate by picnicking with friends and family in the fields, eating vegetarian salads with plenty of wine. Kite flying is island wide.

Easter

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In Cyprus, Easter is the holiest celebration of the year. Festivities include the symbolic litany of the body of Christ on Holy Friday, while Saturday evening celebrates the resurrection of Christ in a traditional midnight service with candles and expressions of 'Christos Anesti' which means 'Christ lives.' Traditionally, young people light a bonfire at the churchyard to signify the burning of Judas.

On Easter Sunday, following the liturgy, three days of events in the central Agios Tychonas square follow, including dancing and traditional games. Lamb, prepared locally as 'souvla' on the charcoal, is eaten in abundance and family and friendship are celebrated as Easter rekindles the rebirth of the human spirit.

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Flower Festival

May is the month of flowers. In recognition, all the major municipalities organize flower festivals. Similar to the Carnival, the community of Agios Tychonas takes an active part in these festivities, organized primarily by the municipality of Yermasoyia and the surrounding municipalities and community boards. Dozens of beautiful floats decorated with an array of spring flowers, parade through the cities with thousands taking part dressed in colorful costumes.

Amathusia
One of the major cultural events in Cyprus, Amathusia is organized in ancient Amathus. The three day celebration takes place at either the end of June or early July. Included are impressive theatre performances, operas, concerts and dance troupes from Cyprus and Greece.

As a once prosperous spiritual centre, the Amathusia celebrates the culture and civilization of the island.

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The Wine Festival

The Wine Festival is organized in Limassol every September and lasts for 12 days. Limassol organizes this major event, being the centre of the islands' wine industries and offers both visitors and locals unlimited quantities and varieties of wine, music and dancing till the early hours. Over a hundred thousand people attend the wine festival every year making it one of the most anticipated events of the year.

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Christmas

In early December the Agios Tychonas seafront is festively decorated in the spirit of Christmas. To match the uplifted mood during Christmas and New Year the village Community Board organize a variety of events.

The celebrations in Agios Tychonas are very welcoming and impressive, including Epiphany Day, during which after the Liturgy, priests lead a procession out to the sea, where they bless and sanctify the waters with the submerging of the Holy Cross.

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Other Events​

In the long list of Agios Tychonas cultural events there are additionally those organized every weekend at the ancient Amathus market and the open theatre Onisillos which include music and theatre performances. Each year on the 12th of July, the Agios Tychonas Community Board also organizes an International cross country five kilometer race which encourages the participation of both visitors and locals. One of the most original ideas is the celebration on the four days of the year where day and night are equally shared, on the 21st of March, the 21st of June, the 23rd of September and the 22nd of December. Celebrations take place at six in the morning at the Acropolis of ancient Amathus.



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