Larnaca town (Larnaka)Larnaca, a town with an easy-going pace, has strong links to the past. In the heart of modern Larnaca one finds remains of the ancient city-kingdom of Kition, reminiscent of its glorious days. The Mycenaean Greeks fortified the town with cyclopean walls in the 12th century while the Phoenicians founded a powerful kingdom here in the 9th century. Kition is the birthplace of the philosopher Zeno, founder of the Stoic School, and it is here that Saint Lazarus came to live after his resurrection. In the 18th century it became a commercial centre and tlie seat of the European consulates. Tlie delightful Palm Trees Promenade, its fort, and its old quarters give Larnaka its unique character. The nearby salt lake is a favourite stop-over spot for thousands of migrant birds in winter, whilst on its edge in a tranquil setting stands a popular Muslim pilgrimage place.The whole district of Larnaca has something special to offer the visitor, including Choirokoitia, the oldest Neolithic settlement on the island, Slavrovouni Monastery and the famous Church of Angeloktisti.

Do not miss the unique opportunity of becoming acquainted with the authentic character of the city by joining the Larnaca walks.
Starting point:
a) C.T.O. Office – 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays (Tel: (24) 65 43 22).
b) Larnaca Fort – 10:00 a.m. on Fridays, (Tel: (24) 63 05 76).

Places of Interest

THE BUST OF KIMON
At the seafront promenade.
The Athenian General Kimon led 200 triremes in 450 BC to free Cyprus
from the Persians. He died while he was besieging Kition.

LARNACA DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Plateia Kalogreon Tel: (24) 63 01 69
Interesting collection of finds from the Larnaca area dating from
the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.

THE PIERIDES FOUNDATION MUSEUM
Zinonos Kitieos 4 Tel: (24) 65 24 95
The oldest privately owned museum in Cyprus, set up by Dimitrios Pierides (1811 -1895). It houses ancient, medieval, Byzantine and more recent objects belonging to the Pierides family. A display case of modern Greek and Cypriot sculptures can be seen in the courtyard.

LARNACA FORT – LOCAL MEDIAEVAL MUSEUM
Larnaca seafront.
Built in 1625, it was used as a prison in the first years of British rule. It houses the District Mediaeval Museum. The fort is also used as the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Centre during the summer.

LARNACA MUNICIPAL CULTURAL CENTER
Plateia Evropis – Seafront promenade, Tel: (24) 65 88 48
Five old Larnaca Customs warehouses, built in the colonial style (1881), have recently been renovated and turned into the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Centre. It houses the Municipal Gallery and the only Palaeontology Museum in Cyprus, where the ancient fossilised remains of pygmy elephants and hippopotami that once lived on the island can be seen. The Centre also has facilities for occasional exhibitions.

AGIOS LAZAROS CHURCH
Plateia Agiou Lazarou
Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaca. Kition became his second home after his resurrection by Christ, and he lived here for another 30 years. He was ordained Bishop of Kition by Saints Barnabas and Mark. In the 9th century a magnificent church was erected over his tomb by Emperor Leo VI. The church, one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus, was faithfully restored in the 17th century, and the iconostasis is an excellent example of baroque woodcarving. Visitors can see the tomb of Saint Lazarus under the sanctuary and the ecclesiastical museum behind the church. Eight days before the Greek Orthodox Easter the icon of Saint Lazarus is taken
in procession through the streets of Larnaca.

KITION
Approximately 500 m. northeast of the Archaeological Museum.
One of the most important ancient city-kingdoms, with architectural remains dating back to the 13th century BC. In about 1200 BC it was rebuilt by the Mycenaean Greeks, and excavations have revealed Cyclopean walls made of giant blocks of stone, and a complex of five temples.

KAMARES AQUEDUCT
Kamares area on the Larnaca – Limassol road.
A beautiful 18th century aqueduct which was in use until 1930.

MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Leoforos Grigori Afxentiou, Tel: (24) 65 25 69
Within the Larnaca Municipal Gardens.
The Museum has displays of rare insects, birds and animals of Cyprus.

Next: More places of interest in Larnaca area