Limassol

Limassol is the most south coast city of Cyprus with population of 140.000 inhabitants and is the second largest city of southern Cyprus and the largest seaside resort. It was once called Lemesos when Richard the Lionheart visited the Limassol city of Cyprus to free his betrothed from the Byzantine sovereign. The wedding turned in to a party that is still alive as alenged today. Limassol is a centre of nightlife and is full of parties thus is the most popular city of Cyprus among tourists. Due to the nightlife style the city is also famous for wine making in Cyprus which is known by the rest of the Europe widely.

Limassol is spread along the coast making a magnificient view for ten miles are the Trodos mountains whose foothills are used to grow the production of grapes of Cyprus.

Since middle age from the time of Richard the Lionheart, Cyprus has been a centre of traders for wines from the Limassol city. Limassol city is continuesly developing and modernising its buildings unlike other Cyprus cities that has preserved its unique architechtural and cultural heritage. The excellent hotels serve a huge incoming to the GNP of Cyprus with attracting offers for tourists who can have walks meandering through welcoming villages by the foothills of Toroodos mountains lie noth of the city. This is city is rushed by tourists from different countries mostly from Europe thoughout the year. Natural beaches are on the outskirts of Limassol, many of them are owned by the hotels by the coast that may charge tourists that are non-guests in the hotel. Some beaches are open to the public for free of cost such as Avmidou beach  on the British military base of Akrotiri that has a sandy carpet.

Limassol inhabitants are fun loving and friendly people with lively characters thus making the town one of the best for nightlife and stages for the Cyprus best known festivals such as Annual wine Festival that is held in September. This festival lasts for 10 days each year where the various wine producers offer free sample of wines. Also the town has a pre-Lenten Carnival with masquerde parties balls and gran parades.

Limassol is place for carefree holiday lovers, with a seafront promenade and shopping streets Limassol owns variey of holiday hotels in Cyprus that are built along the sea side. Tourist can find hotels in Cyprus in Limassol ranging from cheap hotels in Cyprus to the most luxury hotels in Cyprus. Limassol city provides a wide range of accomodations to the tourism in Cyprus with proving villas and apartments for rent as well. There are many bars, discos, nightclubs, wide range of tavernas pubs and numerous beaches that are very popular in summer season requiring early reservations and booking for Cyprus hotels.

Quite atmosphere lovers can find their spots on the outskirts of Limassol. Ladies Mlle located on the west of new harbour is a famous quite sandy beach. There is a ficility for Yachtsman in the new completed marina.

Limassol city is also famous for glamour and modern shopping. One can easily see European wares as well as the tradional clothing range. Business streets such as St Andrews near the seafront promenade is always full of tourists visiting the big shopping malls as well as small shops. Many boutiques and showrooms for shopping cloths, shoes, and other make-up stuff can be found on Makarios Avenue.

Limassol is a place where the first Coronation and Royal Marriage took place outside of England when Richard the Lionheart married Queen Berengaria of Navarre, she was crowned as Queen of England, the event took places in Limassol Castle in 1191. Also there are Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Art Gallery and FolkArt Museum where old cloths and utensils are on display including a small zoo in the Municipal Gardens.

PLACES OF INTEREST

 

KOURION MUSEUM

This museum is located 14 km away from Limassol towards teh west of.  Episkopi village is just 4 km before the Museum site. The Museum has collection of findings from Limassol area and its surroundings.

LIMASSOL CASTLE and CYPRUS MEDIAEVAL MUSEUM

The castle of Limassol was built in fourteenth century. This castle replaced the site of earlier Byzantine castle. According to local traditions, Richard the Lionheart crowned his Queen in this castle in 1191. The castle also houses the Cyprus Mediaeval Museum.

KOURION

Kourion is an ancient city Kingdom, a wonderful archaeological site in Cyprus only 19 km at the west of Limassol on the road to Paphos. Excavatrions are still on going and new treasure from the ancient world are more to be explored from this site.

Theis Roman Theatre was first built in second centuty B.C. This place is used by musical groups for concerts and other theatrical events. Eustolios house was actually a personal villa that turned in to a recreation centre for public in the early Christian period. It has several Baths and its rooms are decorated with beautiful mosaic floors.

It is said that the Christian Basilica from the fifth century was a Cathedral of Kourion. There are houses that were used for Achilles and Gladiators having wondrefull mosaic floors. The site is still being excavated by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities. IT is one kilometer away from the city of Limassol to the west on the way to Pahphos.

LIMASSOL DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Near the Public Gardens of Municipal is the Museum of Archaeology. There are many collection of antiquities from the period of Roman Empire are on display in this Museum.

KOLOSSI CASTLE

Kolossi Castle was built in 13th century and was restored in 15th century and is in the same form since then. This castle was used as Gran Commandery of the Knights Templar. Later on in 1291 A.D Kolossi Castle served as the headquarters of Knights of the order of St. John of Jerusalem. This castle is situated on the road to Paphos 14 km west of Limassol.

FOLK ART MUSEUM

This Museum is and old house that is restored. National costumes, embroidery, tapestry etc, from the 19th and early 20th century of Cyprus culture are on display in this Museum.

Among some other places of interests are

  • SANCTUARY OF APOLLO HYLATES
  • AMATHUS
  • AYIOS GEORGIOS ALAMANOU CONVENT
  • LIMASSOL MUNICIPAL ART GALLERY