Larnaca resort information

LARNACA DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Interesting collection of finds from the Larnaca area, dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.
PIERIDES MUSEUM
Remarkable private collection of Cypriot antiquities, originally gathered together by Demetrios Pierides (1811-I895), and further enriched by members of the family.
LARNACA FORT
Built in 1625, it was used as a prison in the first years of British rule. It now houses a small archaeological museum, with finds from Kition and the Hala Sultan Tekke excavations. The Fort is also used as the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Centre.

AYIOS LAZAROS CHURCH

Ayios Lazaros Square has the magnificent church was built by Emperor Leo Vl, in the 9th century. Restoration was carried out in the 17th century, keeping faithfully to the original plan, and the church can be called one of the tiniest examples of Byzantine architecture. The tomb of Lazarus, who after he was raised from the dead in Bethany by Christ, came to Cyprus and lived here for another thirty years and was consecrated as the Bishop of Kition by St. Barnabas and St. Mark, can be seen under the sanctuary.
PALM TREES (PHINIKOUDES)
The palm-lined sea front of Larnaca town bustles with cafes, taverns, shops and bars.

LARNACA MARINA
The Larnaca marina with 450 yacht capacity attracts many boats as a safe wintering place

KAMARES
The 18th century aqueduct.

HALA SULTAN TEKKE

3 km west of Larnaca on the road to Kiti, passing the Larnaca Airport.Built in 1816 over the tomb of I mm Haram, who died on this spot in 649 during the first Arab raids. According to Iegend l mm Haram was a relative of the Prophet Mohammed and the Tekke is an important place of Moslem pilgrimage ranking immediately after the shrines of Meeca, Medina and al Aksha in Jerusalem.

ANGELOKTISTI CHURCH
Kiti village, 11 km west of Larnaca. Angeloktisti means 'Built by the Angel'. This 11th century Byzantine church was built on a destroyed early Christian basilica, the apse of which survives together with one of the finest pieces of Byzantine art, a 6th century mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Child between two archangels, which rivals the Ravenna Mosaic.
CHAPPELL ROYAL
Pyrga village, 35 km south of Nicosia, 32 km from Larnaca was built by the Lusignan King Jenus in 1421, it contains a wall painting of the king with his wife, Charlotte de Bourbon, on one of its walls. Considered to be one of the most interesting structures surviving from the Frankish Period, it was restored in 1977.

Stavrovouni Monastery
Perched on a rocky peak, 750 meters above sea level, Stavrovouni means the Mountain of the Cross and according to tradition was founded by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who left a fragment of the Holy Cross to the monastery. The brotherhood is extremely devout, keeping vows as strict as those of the Mount Athos, brotherhood in Greece. Women are not allowed in the monastery. Men may visit the monastery daily, from sunset, except from 12.00-13.00 (15.00 hrs in summer). Visits are not allowed on Green Monday and the following day.
There is an impressive ceremony and celebration on 14 September, the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Monastery of Ayia Varvara (Saint Barbara) at the foot of Stavrovouni hill is easily accessible. The monks here, as in Stavrovouni have a high reputation for icon painting.
LEFKARA
It is situated 8 km from Skarinou, off the Nicosia-Limassol road, 40 km from Larnaca. A picturesque village, partly restored and protected, famous for its local lace known as 'Lefkaritika' and for its silver-ware. According to tradition, Leonardo Da Vinci visited the village and bought an altar cloth, which he donated to the Milan cathedral. The church of the Archanel Michael in Kato Lefkara is of the single-aisled domed type and has wall paintings of the late 12th century.
AYIOS MINAS CONVENT

Near Lefkara 15th century convent with a church at the centre of the cloisters. The nuns, besides performing their religious rites. arc famous for their icon painting and honey production.
Choirokoitia
About 20 miles (32km) from Larnaca on the Lefkosia-Lemesos road archaeological excavations have revealed one of the oldest Neolithic sites on Cyprus, dating to 7,000 BC. Choirokoitia (also known as Khirokitia) was home to primitive farmers who cultivated wheat and barley. Visitors can explore the settlement’s defensive wall, circular houses and tombs. Four of the beehive-shaped houses made of mud and stone have been reconstructed to show how these early farmers lived. Most of the archaeological finds from Choirokoitia are displayed in the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.

Larnaca Medieval Museum
This fascinating and well-stocked museum is housed in the Larnaca fort on the city’s seafront. The fort was built in 1625 and was used as a prison during the early years of British rule.
Kition
Approximately 500 m. northeast of the Archaeological Museum. One of the most important of the 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.
Phinikoudes
The Phinikoudes promenade, famed for its palm trees, suitably named due to the fact that Phinikia, translated into English, means palm tree. The beach is suitable for all ages and a favourite with the tourists. In the evening the Phinikoudes seafront offers the best night out in Larnaca, with countless choices of pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs, which have events mostly during the Summer and bring world famous DJs to ensure a great night out