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Larnaka West Coast - Cyprus

The octagonal mosque, built in 1816, istraces of a settlement from the 16th
considered the finest example of Ottomancentıry BC and an ancient olive press
architecture in Cyprus. the Tekke andhave been unearthed. Forty-five stone
its grounds have been completelyanchors were recovered from the sea near
renovated. In winter, the Salt Lake,the site, some of which are now in the
which is one of the two main wetlands inLarnaka Archaeological Museum. To leave,
Cyprus, is home to colonies of flamingosfollow the signs for Nicosia and go
and other migratory birds. He lake isright to Psematismenos, a compact little
below sea level and seawater seeping insettlement with traditional
through the porous lime rocks leaves aarchitecture. At the main road go left,
thick deposit of salt as it dries out.and then go right onto the F116 at the
The Salt Lake is on the Ramsar list as asignpost to Tochni. Tochni is a
wetland of international importance.picturesque village straddling a gully.
Leave the Tekke, double back round theOn the bridge in the centre is the 19th
airport roundabout and follow the signscentury Timios Stavros church that
for Kiti. Birdwatchers can take a sidestands on the site of a 4th century once
trip to an extension of the Salt Lakesaid to have been founded by St. Helena
known as Spiros' Pool and the hide atto house a piece of the True Cross.
the Water Treatment plant by going leftTochni is a very popular area with
in Meneou village at the sign for Meneouhikers and cyclists and has rural
Beach. In Kiti, go right at the sign toaccommodation. Cross the bridge, go
Angeloktisi Church and then first left.right and at the end of the road go left
The Byzantine church of Panagiaonto the E133 to Choirokoitia. Turn
Angeloktisi was built around 1,000 Ad onright into the village at the sign for
5th century ruins. It was rebuilt in theAgios lakovos church. The postal ahency
12th century and has later additions. Itand grocery store in the square opposite
contains a rare and very impressive 6ththe church are in traditional buildings.
century mosaic of the Virgin and Child,To leave, go to the left of the church
flanked by the Archangels Michael andback down to the E133, signposted to
Gabriel with peacock-feather wings. TheVavla. After 200 metres go left at the
church is open daily, closing betweensign for Panagia tou Kampou and go right
noon and 14:00 hrs. Back at the mainat the fork. This will take you to the
road, go left and head for Mazotos. Atsite of the castle, where on 7 July 1426
Mazotos you can visit the museum of thethe Marmelukes defeated the army of King
self-taught contemporary artists CostasJanus, the Frankish king of Cyprus. all
Argyrou. On the way the road is borderedthat is left are the remains of a
by flat farmland with the sea in thebarrel-vaulted room. The left fork takes
distance to your left. A camel park andyou to the small church of Panagia tou
petrol station are on your left at theKampou, which is usually open. Go back
junction of the road to Mazotos. Goto the EI33 and go right to the
straight ahead on the road towards Zygi.Neolithic site of Choirokoitia. Leave
This is a market gardening area, withthe settlement, go to the main BI road
fields of tomatoes, artichokes andand join the Larnaka-Lemesos motorway at
cucumbers growing in the rich alluviojunction 14. Stawrovouni Monastery sits
soil of the valleys of the riversatop a steep 750m peak that was called
Xeropotamos, Pentaschoinos andOlympus in ancient times and where a
Maron…temple to Aphrodite stood. The monastery
After about for kilometers, go right atdates back to 327 when, legend tells us,
the sign for Alaminos. Look carefullythe ship carrying St Helena, mother of
because the sign is not clear. From thisConstantine the Great, home from
road, you get an excellent view ofJerusalem with the True Cross and the
Stavrovouni Monastery on its solitaryCross of the Penitent Thief, ran before
peak to your right. As you approacha storm to the coast of Cyprus. the holy
Alaminos, behind a modern house on yourwoman dreamt that a young man instructed
left is a good example of a ruralher to build many churches on the
two-storey farmhouse with upper andisland. On waking, she discovered that
lower arches. On your right is thethe Cross of the Penitent Thief had
recently reconstructed Alaminos tower.miraculously transported itself to the
Alaminos was the fief of Philop oftop of the mountain, so she built
Ibelin during the Frankish or LusignanStavrovouni church in which to house it.
Period (1192-1489AD) and this andHe monastery contains a large wooden
similar keeps at Xylofagou, Pyla and15th century cross minutely carved with
Kiti are thought to have beenscenes from the life of Christ. It is
watchtowers from that period or theencased in a silver reliquary that also
later Venetian one. The sheep pens oncontains what is believed to be a sliver
the approach road to Kofinou indicateof the True Cross. Stavrovouni is a
its dairy industry. Drive through theworking religious community of monks who
village, go left at the main BI road andfollow the ascetic principles of Mount
take the left turn for Agios TheodorosAthos. Although woman are not allowed to
at the bridge in the valley. The northenter, the views from the monastery are
side of Agios Theodoros is abandoned butspectacular.
the remains of the stone houses areChoirokoitia, a Neolithic settlement
picturesque. After bypassing thesurrounded by a stone wall ,is one of
village, go left at the t-junction andthe oldest excavated settlements in
drive to the coast through the ruggedCyprus. Remains show that by 6,800 BC,
Pentaschoinos valley, where dark cliffsit's two thousand or so inhabitants
overhang the road and orange groves filllived in beehive-shaped huts of stone
the river valley. At the coas, go rightand clay. Many of the houses had
and drive to Zygi.Cyprus HolidaysÂunder-floor graves where the dead were
These days Zygi is famous for its fishlaid to rest in the foetal position
taverns but in the past it was a busysurrounded by gifts and personal
little port and camel trains used toeffects. The settlement was built on an
bring carobs for storage in the largeeasily defensible hillside and
stone warehouses to await export. Thesurrounded by a wall. The Choirokoitians
pier is derelict but the village andwere well-organised goat breeders, who
warehouses are undergoing considerablecultivated the land and there is
restoration. Leave by taking the roadevidence of spinning, weaving and
beside the white church, signposted topottery. Flint sickle blades, figurines
Maroni and go right before two largeof fertility gods and stone vases have
concrete water cisterns on a hill. Asbeen excavated, as well as necklaces of
you approach the village, go right,shells and cornelian. Houses have been
cross the dry bed of the river Maroniconstructed near the site as a pointer
cross the dry bed of the river Maronito how the people lived. Steps and a
and go left. Go right after the oldseries of walkways enable visitors to
church and left at the end of the road.see main points of the settlement and
Go left at the old stone house and intosigns describe the key features of each
the village centre. The narrow streetsarea. Many of the finds are exhibited in
of Maroni give you a glimpse of somethe Cyprus Museum in Nicosia and the
impressive traditional architecture.Larnaka District Archaeological Museum.
There is anarchaeological dig on theThe site is a Unesco World Cultural and
southern ourskirts of the village, whereNaural Heritage Site.



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