MAP OF CYPRUS

LIMASSOL

Historical Traces in Limassol Contents: 1. Ancient History 2. Medieval Times 3. Venetian Rule 4. Under the Ottoman Empire 5. British Colonial Administration

1. Ancient History
Limassol was built between the ancient towns of Amathus and Kurion. Graves found date back to 2000 BC and others back to the 8th and 4th centuries BC. Amathus: human activity is evident from the earliest Iron Age, circa 1100 BC. According to a version of the Ariadne legend noted by Plutarch, Theseus abandoned Ariadne at Amathousa, where she died giving birth to her child and was buried in a sacred tomb.

Amathus Archaeological Site

Above: Temple of Apollo in Amathus Top Right: 5th century BC sarcophagus found in Amathus Bottom Right: Fish terracotta, 5th century BC, found in Amathus

 Kurion: ancient town outside Limassol. Passed through different phases from a Hellenistic, Roman, and Christian periods. The town of Kurion has a very large Agora (market place) and an early Christian Basilica. The most spectacular site at Kourion is the Greco-Roman theatre, or forum, which sits 2000 spectators. Gladiator games were held there. The whole town has beautiful floor mosaics. Three kilometers from the town of Kurion is the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates which has stunning Cypro-Corinthian columns. Also in the town of Kurion are: public baths, the Nymphaeum, the Necropolis, the Fountain House, the House of the Gladiators and the House of Achilles.

Kurion : The Amphitheatre, the Mosaics (up), the Temple of Apollo (bottom left) and the Basilica (bottom right)

2. Medieval Times (A)

During the Third Crusade the king of England, Richard the Lionheart was travelling to the Holy Land in 1191. His fiance Berengaria and his sister Joan, Queen of Sicily, were also travelling on a different ship. Because of a storm, the ship with the queens arrived in Limassol. Isaac Comnenus, the Byzantine governor of Cyprus, invited the queens ashore, with the intention of holding them to ransom, but they wisely refused. So he refused them fresh water and they had to put out to sea again or yield to capture. When Richard arrived in Limassol and met Isaac Comnenus, he asked him to contribute to the crusade for the liberation of Holy Land. Isaac refused to give any help.

2. Medieval Times (B)

Richard then chased him and finally arrested him; the entire island was therefore taken over by the Anglo-Normans, bringing the long Byzantine dominion of Cyprus to an end. Richard celebrated his marriage with Berengaria in 1191 who had received the crown as queen of England in Cyprus. The marriage took place in the Limassol Medieval Castle. Richard destroyed Amathus and the inhabitants were transferred to Limassol.

2. Medieval Times (C)

In AD 1192, Cyprus was sold for the sum of 100,000 bezants to theTemplars, rich monks and soldiers whose aim was the protection of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Castle at Colossi, Limassol, served as their Grand Commandery. The Templars sold Cyprus to Guy de Lusignan, and the Frankish (Lusignan) Period started. Latin merchants settled in Limassol and Limassol during the 13th century enjoyed financial welfare and prosperity. The Limassol harbour was a centre of transportation and commerce, and contributed to financial and cultural development.

Colossi Castle (up) and Limassol Castle (Right)

3. Venetian Rule
Lusignan Period ended when Queen Catherine Cornaro ceded Cyprus to Venice in 1489 and Venetian Period started. The Venetians strengthened the Castle of Limassol.

4. Under the Ottoman Empire

Limassol was conquered in 1570 by the Ottomans without any resistance. The houses had small doorways in order to prevent the Ottomans from entering their houses while riding a horse. Church: important role in education during the Ottoman occupation. 3 schools operated in Limassol: 1. The Greek School (established in 1819) 2. The first public School (established in 1841) 3. The Girls School (established in 1861).

The Grand Mosque or Kepir Mosque in Limassol

5. British Collonial Administration

Ottomans sold Cyprus to the British in 1878. The first British Governor of Limassol improved the condition of Limassol: Roads were cleaned and fixed. Animals removed from the centre. Trees were planted. Docks were constructed. Lanterns for the lighting of the central areas of Limassol were installed in 1880, replaced in 1912 by electricity. Built a post office, a telegraph office and a hospital. In 1880 the first printing press. End of 19th century the first hotels. Schools, theatres, clubs, art galleries, music halls, sport societies.

Limassol old town with British colonial architecture