Culture of Larnaca. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Larnaca is the third largest resort of the island. A few thousand years ago, there was the major commercial city of Kition at this place. Modern travelers are attracted here not only with abundance of entertainment venues and beautiful beaches, but also with a huge number of attractions in the city. Landmarks of different eras have managed to preserve here. Church of St. Lazarus is an important religious landmark; it has been founded in the early 10th century. A lot of interesting legends are associated with that church; according to one of them, the church is located above the shrine of Saint Lazarus, the patron saint of the ancient city.

In 1970, the beautiful legend has been confirmed, as an ancient sarcophagus was discovered on the grounds of temple. Relics sized from it were solemnly transferred to a church; thousands of worshipping pilgrims arrive there nowadays. An interesting monument is the Panagia Angeloktisti Church dating back the Byzantine era. The main decoration of this religious object is a mosaic mural depicting the Holy Virgin. It was transferred to the church immediately after its discovery. Mural dates back to the 6th century.

Several ancient mosques have preserved in the city; Al Kebir is the most beautiful among them. Built in 1835, it has never been subjected to major renovation; formerly an old church was located on the site of the mosque. In the immediate vicinity of the city is an important archaeological area, where excavations are held until these days. Here, archaeologists have discovered ruins of ancient buildings. They are nothing like the buildings of Kition, a major trading city, which has certainly existed. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Finds of archeologists can be seen in the local museum, which serves visitors every day. A visit to an old fort has to be included in the excursion. Despite its impressive age, this powerful defensive structure never ceases to amaze visitors with its grandeur and strength. The fort has long lost its main defensive function, today it is home to the Museum of Larnaca. Among thousands of unique items, you can find antique ceramics and stone, archaeological finds and weapons, as well as jewelry, old coins and ritual attributes

When it comes to museums, tourists are primarily interested in the Municipal Museum of Natural History, which presents a collection of household items of local residents such as ceramics, tableware, sculptures, works of visual art. It is also a great place to broaden horizons - here one can find information about animals living in Cyprus and plants growing on the island. Many travelers are amazed by a collection of very beautiful seashells. A unique museum in Larnaca is the Owl Museum displaying exhibits related to owls - for example, toys, figurines, sculptures, jewelry, stuffed animals.

Apothiki 79 is an interesting place for art connoisseurs. Here they can see some wonderful artworks and attend one of the events - of course, one should follow the news on upcoming events for that. Nearby is the Kyriazis Medical Museum, which tells the history of medicine from the period of antiquity to modernity. The peculiarity is that you can touch all the exhibits and see them in action. The Hippocratic Oath is considered the most valuable exhibit. The museum can be visited free of charge, although it only works two days a week (Wednesday and Saturday).

An interesting attraction is the sunken Zenobia ferry, which is a cult destination for divers. It is recommended to visit the site within a dive group or with an instructor. Since the wreckage happened in close proximity to the coast and at shallow depth, it is open to scuba divers of any level of experience - outstanding diving skills are not required for this site. The city has many interesting sculptures, and one of these is a memorial dedicated to the Armenian Genocide in 1915-1916. Here you can also find a magnificent monument to the Larnaca philosopher Zeno of Citium, one of the symbols of the city.

One of the most significant landmarks is the Medieval Fort (Κάστρο Λάρνακας), which houses crypts, cannons, as well as a museum where one can learn a lot of interesting information about the history of Larnaca. Of greatest interest among its exhibits are frescoes dating from 4th-7th centuries. The fort itself was built in the 14th century by Europeans but later, in 1625, rebuilt by the Turks. That is why the present-day fortress combines both Romanesque and Ottoman elements, which seems pretty curious to connoisseurs of architecture. For those who are interested in historical sites, the fortification is equally noteworthy: it has repeatedly defended Larnaca from attacks and at various times belonged to the French and the Turks.