Limassol area - Places of interest
KOURION
19 km west of Limassol on the. road to Paphos.
An important ancient city-kingdom, and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island where excavations still bring new treasures to light. The magnificent Graeco-Roman Theatre was originally built in the 2nd century BC and is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances. The House of Eustolios, originally a private Roman villa, became a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period. It consists of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors. The Early Christian basilica dated to the 5th century, was probably the Cathedral of Kourion with a baptistery attached to the north face. The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum, dedicated to water nymphs, is an elegant Roman structure. The Stadium lies 1 km to the west on the right side of the road to Paphos and is dated to the 2nd century AD.
SANCTUARY OF APOLLO YLATIS
3 km west of Kourion, on the road to Paphos.
Apollo Ylatis, God of the Woodland, was the protector of the city of Kourion. The cult of Apollo was celebrated here from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The southwest side of the temple has been restored and excavations have also revealed other structures of this important sanctuary such as the bath complex, the pilgrim halls, the palaistra and a holy precinct.
AMATHOUS ANCIENT SITE
11 km east of Limassol town centre, close to Amathus Hotel.
One of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus where, according to mythology, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be taken care of after his battle with the Minotaur. A very important cult of Aphrodite-Astarte flourished here. Excavations have revealed parts of the Acropolis and Agora areas, as well as part of the upper and lower city. The remains including five early Christian Basilicas date from the Archaic, Roman and Christian periods.
CHURCH OF PANAGIA IAMATIKI
Arakapas village
A three-aisled wooden roofed church with excellent wall paintings ol the
Italo-Byzantine style, dating to the first half of the 16th century.
AGIA ANASTASIA CHURCH
Pano Polemidia
This is a complex of two churches. The older one, possibly dating to the 12th century, is on the east side and is a cross-in-square domed church. The second church on the west side was added in the 14th century and built in the same architectural style. The surviving mural paintings date back to the 14th -15th centuries.
AGIA CHRISTINA CHURCH
Germasogeia
Germasogeia is an important municipality in the Limassol area. The church of Agia Christina, which lies in the centre of the village, also houses the Germasogeia Ecclesiastical Museum. It is a small church with a flat roof, the outcome of several recent interventions. Recently restoration work has revealed 16th century wall paintings.
AGIOS GEORGIOS ALAMANOS CONVENT
Off the Nicosia - Limassol road 19 km from Limassol.
Originally founded in the 12th century. The nuns, besides performing their religious rites, spend their time in icon-painting, the cultivation of flowers and herbs and the production of honey.
KOURRIS VALLEY
A series of important Byzantine monuments, e.g. Panagia Amasgou, Timios Stavros - Kouka, Archangelos Monagri, can be found along the Kourris valley, about 20 minutes from Lemesos. The vaulted church of the Monastery of Panagia tis Amasgou belongs to the 12th century and is covered by a second roof made of wood and tiles. The church retains 12th, 14th and 16th century wall paintings. The monastery is now run as a nunnery. The Archangelos at Monagri was built in 1740 on the foundations of an older monastery that had burned down. Of interest is the painted wood-carved iconostasis and the nearby olive oil mill of the Roman period. The northern buildings of the monastery have been renovated and turned into a Centre for Contemporary Art. Timios Stavros at Kouka has an excellent example of the Palaeologian style on a wall painting of the 14th century. Not far away is the picturesque village of Laneia, a favourite with artists.
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