Asinou Church, Nikitari, Cyprus

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Asinou Church (or Church of Panagia Phorbiotissa of Asinou) is a tiny, humble-looking church the size of a small cottage in the foothills of the Troödos Mountains.

Its decorations are the finest of the many churches in the area and every year, on rare occasions, it is possible to attend a service there.

Inside, 12th-16th century Byzantine frescoes tell the stories (through small cartoon pictures) of Lazarus' Raising from the Dead. In the middle recess, Christ's life from the Nativity to the Resurrection is depicted. In the apse, an imploring 12th-century Virgin raises her hands in benediction, flanked by two archangels.

Arrive early if you want to catch a Feast Day service in the tiny church. They take place at 7am in the morning and last for two hours. The special days are the 2 February, 25 March, the Tuesday after Easter (when there is also a service at 4pm on the afternoon of the Monday before), 8 September and 21 November.

Asinou is well worth a visit even if you can't make it for the service. Call the priest, who can open the doors for you if you arrive and it's shut. You should give him a tip if you can.


HOW TO GET THERE
The church is five kilometers from Nikitari, off the main Nicosia-Troodos road, approximately 20 kilometers north of Kakopetria.

OPENING HOURS
Mon-Sat 9.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm;
Sun 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm

Hala Sultan Tekke Muslim Shrine Larnaca Cyprus

Hala Sultan Tekke or the Mosque of Umm Haram is a very prominent shrine near Larnaca, both Muslims and Christians consider the tomb as a sacred place. Therefore it attracts the faithful from both religions. The Hala Sultan Tekke is an Islamic shrine, unusual in that it is dedicated to a woman, built between 1760 and 1796. Overlooking the Salt Lake, where flamingoes stop en route from Africa in spring and autumn, it is a peaceful, beautiful spot for a mosque.

According to accounts, Hala Sultan Tekke (or Umm Haram), being of very old age, had fallen from her mule and had died during a siege of Larnaca. Umm Haram was an aunt of an associate of the Prophet Mohammed. She was buried near the salt lake and her grave became a sacred shrine. The shrine, and later the mosque and the whole complex was named after her.


HOW TO GET THERE
Located on the outskirts of Larnaca, 3km from the town centre on the road to Kiti, past Larnaca airport, admission is free, but respect is compulsory.

OPENING HOURS
Apr-May & Sep-Oct: 9am-6pm
Jun-Aug 7:30am-7:30pm
Nov-Mar: 9am-5pm

Ancient Kition in Larnaca, South Cyprus

Kition, now mostly buried under modern Larnaca, was an important ancient city. Originally settled by the Mycenaeans and the Phonicians 3,000 years ago, it was the birthplace of Zeno the philosopher and, according to tradition, its first Christian bishop was Lazarus. Several interesting pre-Greek shrines have been uncovered here.

Excavations of ancient Kition were begun by the Swedes in the 1920s, but most of the ancient city remains buried under modern Larnaca. The British were surpremely unhelpful to posterity, carting off loads of "rubble" to fill in marshes.

The main site of interest is Area II of the site, where a wooden catwalk provides a view of ongoing excavations. The ruins are of the Phoenician resettlement atop Late Bronze Age foundations. A variety of interesting ancient sacred sites have been uncovered here.

The main visible structures are those of a large shrine that was rededicated to the fertility goddess Astarte by the Phoenicians and four small earlier temples. The large shrine, known as "Temple 1," is 35m x 22m, constructed of ashlar with a rubble infill, and was approached by a monumental entrance.

The four smaller temples are connected to copper smelting workshops suggesting either worship of a copper-related deity or at least a religious interest in copper production. Another shrine, thought to be dedicated to a male seafaring god, contained a pipe for the ritual smoking of opium.

Few Hellenistic or Roman artifacts have been found at Kition, making the site unusual and especially important. It also makes it politically delicate, as Greek Cypriots tend to be less enthusiastic about ruins of Asiatic cultural origins.

HOW TO GET THERE
Take Kilkis St to the right of the museum and then Leontiou Machaira St to the entrance, which is almost concealed by new houses.

OPENING HOURS
Mon-Fri 9-2:30; also Thu 3-5pm in winter; closed in the afternoons of July and August.

CYPRUS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Part of the The Photos Photiades Foundation's activities was the creation of the Cyprus Museum of Natural History in 1996; this was the first of a series of beneficial projects offered to the public.

The Museum operates in an especially designed building complex situated in the lovely gardens of the CARLSBERG Brewery, at a short distance from Nicosia. It is open to the public and free of charge. It is a remarkable, fully organized museum, of European standard, which contributes to the ample enlightenment of the public, on the flora, fauna and geology of Cyprus. The visitor can enjoy there a picturesque impression of Nature as well as a board cross-section of it.

The Museum's collection includes about 2500 exhibits. The majority of the collection is made of stuffed mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and insects as well as rocks, minerals, semiprecious stones, shells, fossils etc.


A visit to the Cyprus Museum of Natural History may breathe a deeper love and interest in the study of Nature into the visitor, thus contributing to the collective effort to protect the environment.

The Museum is a history that has begun and is bound to keep on going. It never stops to be enriched and grow.

Larnaca Fort and Medieval Museum in South Cyprus

Home to Larnaca District Medieval Museum, Larnaca Fort marks the end of the seafront promenade and houses historical objects including cannons, suits of armour, lace from nearby Lefkara and other assorted items.

Built in 1625 under Ottoman rule, the fort was later used as a prison when the British took over Cyprus in 1878. In summer it is sometimes the venue for concerts and other special events organised by the Municipal Cultural Centre.

It is open 9am-5pm (until 7.30pm Jun-Aug), and can be easily found at the end of the promenade in the centre of Larnaca, at the south end of Ankara Street.