The district of Limassol which covers the south Part of Cyprus, borders with the district of Larnaca in the East, with the district of Paphos in the West, as well as with the capital Nicosia in the North.
The Area of Limassol is 1393 km is 15% of the whole area of Cyprus .About 80km of Limassol is washed by the sea.
In the summer the temperature during daytime fluctuates between 22.0 Celsius degrees and 38.0, and in the winter between 0.0 and 18.0C. The temperatures of the sea water are about 15.50C in the winter and 24.50C in summer.
The development of Tourism in Limassol began after 1974 when the Turks invaders occupied Famagusta and Kyrenia the basic tourist areas of Cyprus.
Limassol is known for its wine factories. The most important wines are KEO, LOEL, SODAP & ETKO. Limassol has two Ports, the old port and the new port. The new port has the greatest commercial and passenger flow of traffic and it’s the biggest port of Cyprus.
Places of interest in the town of Limassol are:
The Archaeological Museum (Kaningos-Vyronos Corner)
The Museum provides a very interesting collection of antiquities. Found in the district of Limassol, dating from the Neolithic age to the Roman period.
The Folk Art Museum (253, Agiou Andreou Street)
The Museum was established in 1985. More than 500 exhibits are housed in its six rooms. There the visitors can study Cyprus culture through the hand made exhibits, and provides a very interesting collection of Cyprus Folk Art of the last two centuries.
The Municipal Art Gallery (28th October Street)
The Gallery has a splendid collection of paintings, including works of Cypriot artists, on permanent display.
The Medieval Museum (within the Castle)
The collection which the museum provides covers the era 400-1870 A.D. and the visitors can see numerous exhibits ? cannons, wood carvings of the 17th & 18th century, paintings, coins metal ware, glass & marble art crafts.
The Castle (near old port)
It was built by the Byzantine around 100 A.D. According to the tradition Richard the Lionheart is said to have married Queen Berengaria of Navarre in the castle in 1911 and crowned her Queen of England.
The Public Garden and the Zoo
They are situated on the coastal road. In this beautiful environment the citizens of Limassol & many visitors can walk around and enjoy themselves.
Wineries
KEO, LOEL, ETKO, & SODAP. The visitor can visit and learn how wine is produced
-Several churches as:
Ayia Napa which is situated in Ayiou Andreou Street was built around 1900.
Katholiki is a monastery which was constructed by the Franks and was completed in 1960.
Ayia Ttiada church was built during period 1922-1938.
Beaches
Ladies Mile Beach
This is the famous beach situated to the west of Limassol is nearly 7km long. It’s a unique sandy beach.
Dhassoudi Public Beach
It is situated 4km east of the town center, is equipped with changing rooms, restaurants and sea sport facilities.
Governors Beach
It is situated 20km east of Limassol, has a combination of dazing white cliffs and dark gray sand. Restaurants and other facilities are available.
Curium (Ayios Ermogenis Beach)
At a distance of 15km from Limassol on the way to Paphos.Restaurants and other facilities are available.
Tours through Limassol:
Acient Amathus
The ruins of the ancient city of Amathus lie at a distance of 10km from Limassol overlooking the old Nicosia road. The city was founded around the year 1050 B.C. According to mythology the city was named after the mother of king Kiryras, who was the great high-priest of Aphrodite’s temple in Paphos.
Ayios Georgios Alamanou Monastery (19km from Limassol)
It functioned as a monastery from 1890-1918.The annual saint day is on the 23rd of April.
The Phassouri Plantations (9 km outside Limassol)
The visitors are struck by the rich vegetation, with orange, grapefruit, and tangerine groves as well as grapevines. Along the main road, leading to the plantations, the tops of cypresses found on both sides on the road have grown to such an extend as to form natural arches.
Akrodiri Salt Lake
It covers an area of 10.5 square km.The salt lake is one of the most important wetlands in the Middle-East.Thousands of flamingos use the lake as migration and as a wintering area.
The Monastery of St. Nikolas of the Cats
It is near the Cape of Limassol and it was set up in 325 A.D. by the Basilians monks, who were sent by the Emperor Constantine. The monastery is associated with the presence of a great number of cats. The monastery is now days used as a nunnery.
Kolossi Castle(14km west of Limassol)
Built in the 15th century by the knights of St.John of Jerusalem.
Curium(19km west of Limassol)
It’s history begins in the 13th century BC.and ends in the 7th century A.D. and included by the Curium Theatre (1st century A.D.),Eustolios Complex(5th cent.A.D),Achilles Mosaic (4th cen.A.D),the building which houses the mosaic of the gladiators(3rd cen.A.D), the Sanctuary of the Nymphs (1st cen.A.D),the Early Christian Church (Basilica 5th cent.A.D.),The Roman stadium(2nd cent,A.D),The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates (4th cent.A.D),The Chapel of Ayios Ermogenis (4th cent.A.D) and the Curium Museum at Episkopi Village.
Tours Villages you can visit are:
Vouni,Kilani,(36km on the North),Pera Pedi Village,Omodos(42km noth-west),Platres (40km from Limassol),Monastery of Troodhidissa,Troodos-Olympus (70km from Limaqssol) is the biggest forest with 83.200 acres and it’s the highest point of Cyprus,Prodromos(60km from Limassol the highest village),Lania village, Lophou village, the Monastery of Panayias Sphalanjiotissas.
Limassol Events:
The Limassol Carnival
The festival lasts for a whole week with jolly and amusing mas-gathering
The Anthestiria Flower Festival (May)
Natures beauty, is celebrated in Limassol with flower paraded and exhibitions of plants and flowers .The festival was organized in Athens in honor the God Dionysos,the divine protector of the theatre.
The Kataklysmos –Festival of the Flood (June)
It takes place near the sea shore of Limassol and it lasts 3-4 days. A variety of dance and song competitions take place.
The Wine Festival (Semptember)
Takes place in the Municipal Garden of Limassol and it lasts for a whole week every evening between 18 ? 00-23 ? 00 hours. The visitors have the chance to taste some of the best Cyprus wines free of charge.
Ancient Greek Drama Festival (July-August)
Organized by the Cyprus Tourism Organization and the Cyprus Theatre Organization and it takes place at the Curium Theatre 19km west of Limassol. |
The south coast town of Limassol is the island's largest seaside resort. Acting as a agnificent backdrop to the city that spreads for ten miles along the coast are the Troodos Mountains, in whose fertile foothills most of the country's grapes are grown. Since the Middle Ages when the Crusaders held Cyprus under Richard the Lionheart, Limassol has been known to traders for its wine and sugar cane. Now, this second largest city of Cyprus, with a population of 135.000 is the centre of its winemaking industry, and an important commercial and tourist centre. The town's carefree holiday atmosphere, with wide seafront promenade and bustling little shopping streets, is matched by the gaiety and lively character of its people.
