Ларнака Town (Кипр)

Ларнака

Present day Larnaca is built virtually on top of the ancient city of Kition, which was a major Phoenician commercial centre. The locals also know Larnaca as Scala. Larnaca boasts a picturesque fishing harbour, newly built promenade with many ice cream parlours, restaurants and tavernas overlooking the beach and sea. Larnaca has a combination of old and new whilst still retaining its charm and character especially within the old section of Larnaca. It is also home to the largest International Airport on the island.

Ларнака, Кипр

The old church of Saint Lazarus. This is a very imposing old church built around 900AD built above the Saints Tomb, which has an impressive tower. The church is open to visitors. A strict dress code applies — Men and Women should cover shoulders and legs.
The Larnaca Fort. Built to the south of the promenade the castle was built by the Turkish in 1625 for the defence of the town but was used mainly as a prison and an observation post to keep watch over the harbour.
Larnaca Salt Lakes. Home to many migrating birds in the Winter months especially the pink flamingo. During the winter months the lake is full of water, however as the weather begins to warm up the water evaporates leaving a dry bed of salt. The lakes are located next to Larnaca Airport.
According to legend the lake was created by St. Lazarus as a punishment to a local woman, when he landed here hungry and thirsty, he found himself in a vineyard. St Lazarus asked the woman owner to give him some grapes. She arrogantly refused him and in his revenge he turned the whole vineyard into a salt lake. (If any stranger in robes visits the house asking for wine, for goodness sake please do not refuse).
The ancient city of Kition. This city is believed to be one of the oldest in the world (after Byblos) founded by one of Noah’s grandsons named Kittim as mentioned in the Old Testament. By the 9th Century BC it became an important Phoenician commercial centre. Recent excavations have shown the place was inhabited by the Mycenae Greeks around 1400 — 1100BC. Cooper was Widely exported by the Phoenicians from the mined to the northwest of Kition. Cyprus obtained its name from the word Cooper.
Hala Sultan Teeke Shrine. Situated to the western side of the salt lake amongst tropical palm trees, which resembles a desert oasis, it is one of the most important Moslem Shrines containing the Tomb of Umm Haram. She was the aunt of the Prophet Mohammed who lost her life when she fell from her horse during the first Arab raids to Cyprus between 647 and 653 AD.

Many of the places mentioned above can be visited by coach or jeep safari excursion.

Larnaca is another holiday destination in Cyprus, near Ayia Napa for those seeking to be near the night life but far away to a more quiet location.
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