Introduction

History in Cyprus dates as far back as 7000 BC, the Neolithic Age, with settlements along the north and south coasts of the island.
After 1400 BC, the first Greeks came to the island, Mycenaen merchants, who started the Hellenisation of the island.By 1050 BC Cyprus can be considered a Greek island, with the language, culture and religion of Greece well established.
Cyprus has ten city-kingdoms and by 800 BC it is a flourishing and prosperous country.
From750 BC Cyprus is conquered several times by Assyria, Egypt and Persia. In 333 BC Alexander the Great claims Cyprus for part of his empire. greece

Cyprus continues to be part of the Hellenist Empire until 58 BC.
In 58 BC Cyprus becomes part of the Roman Empire. Saint Paul is converted to Christianity whilst in Cyprus and Cyprus becomes the first country governed by a Christian. After the division of the Roman Empire Cyprus becomes part of Byzantium, with Constantinople as its capital.

In1191 AD Cyprus is defeated by the crusader Richard the Lionheart.

The island is then sold to the Knights Templar, who resell it to Guy de Lusignan. From 1192 to 1489 Cyprus is ruled under a feudal system and Catholicism becomes the official religion. greece
In1489 control of the island passes to the Venetians who takes steps to fortify the island and build walls around the towns of Nicosia and Famagusta.
In1571 Ottoman troops invades the island and Cyprus becomes part of the Ottoman Empire. Islam is introduced to the island and Catholicism is expelled. The Greek Orthodox religion is restored.

In 1878, under the Cyprus Convention, Britain assumes administration of the island although it remains part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1914 however, when the Ottomans entered the 1st World War on the side of the Germans, Britain annexed the island. In 1923 Turkey relinquishes all rights to Cyprus and in 1925 Cyprus is declared a Crown colony.
An armed struggle breaks out in 1955 against colonial rule, which lasts until 1960 when the island is granted independence. The political landscape in Cyprus remained interminable. UN peacekeeping operations (UNFICYP) commenced in 1964 and helped to soothe, but not to solve, the situation. Makarios continued his high-profile neutrality, but ultimately failed either to reassure the Turkish Cypriots that they were safe in an independent Cyprus, or to convince the Greek Cypriots that independence was a satisfactory alternative to assimilation within a Greater Greece.
Makarios III was archbishop and primate of the autocephalous Cypriot Orthodox Church (1950-1977) and first President of the Republic of Cyprus (1960-1977).
In 1963 Turkish-Cypriot ministers withdraw from the Government in protest at proposed changes to the Constitution and Turkey threatens to invade. kos In1974 the Greek junta instigates a coup in Cyprus against the Cypriot Government and Turkey uses that as an excuse and invades the island.

Today Cyprus is a member of the european union.

Synonym of blue sea, flourishing trees, warm sunshine, quiet starry sky, everlasting love ... Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean.

heartily invites all the guests from all over the world and treats them, as it's personal friends. Not without reason the sea foam gave birth to Aphrodite, the goddess of Love and Beauty by the seashore of Cyprus.
Only in Cyprus the tourists can admire the breath-taken exotic views and enjoy the mild gentle climate and assure sea. Cyprus is a famous holiday island in a warm blue sea - in itself a little world so old yet so ageless that history, legends and reality blend in charm and harmony.
Since that mythical and up to now a great number of mere mortals found in Cyprus the Garden of Eden. Cyprus is the holiday island of beauty and a country of contrast. Cool cedar forests in the mountains with fresh pine air and variety of landscapes starting with golden sand of the picturesque beaches up to white-snow picks of the rocks and what not that's the character of Cyprus.kos
Tranquillity and ageless of Cyprus villages contrast with modern noisy towns, the luxury hotels of the coast give place to virgin beauty of nature. The atmosphere of carefree rest dominates in Cyprus.
Every tourist coming here can get rid of stresses and problems, to enjoy holidays complete security because the criminality doesn't exist in Cyprus island.
Without a doubt, the 1000 year old capital should be on every visitor's agenda. It lies roughly in the center of the island, within easy reach of the other towns and a day in Nicosia will be a day well spent.
The old walled city is unique and definitely the place to head for first. Enriched by strong fortrss walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the enchanting old city is scattered with buildings and monuments of historical interest as well as little shops, cafes and tavernas.kos
The Lefkosia hewellery Museum and the Municipal Arts Center are both well worth a visit. The "Levention" Municipal Museum of Lefkosia, with an imaginative presentation of the capital's history, was awarded the totle "1991 European Museum of the Year". To walk through the old city is to step backwards in time.rhodes
Narrow streets and old houses with ornate balconies just from weatherbreaten sandstone walls, and craftsmen in small workshop practise trades unchanged for centuries. "Laiki Geitonia" - Folk Neighbourhood - is a pedestrian section which has been carefully renovated to evoke the atmosphere of past days.rhodos
The two main streets of old Lefkosia, Lidra and Onasagorou, are lined with shops of every type, and both streets are pedestrian only.

Limassol

Combining its roles as the second largest city, the island's main port, the centre of the wine industry and a bustling holiday resort, Lemesos emerges as a spirited and a cosmopolitan seaside town.
Today Lemesos is a Holiday resort with a ten mile coastline, a busy shopping centre, countless tavernas and restaurants and a night life to suit tastes ranging from modest to sophisticated.
Lemesos emerged out of two of the most important ancient city-kingdoms, Amathous, to the east of the town, and Kourion to the west, both of which are being extensively excavated. The magnificent setting of the ancient Kourion Theatre is used for summer concerts and theatrical productions.rhodes kos
In the Middle Ages, Lemesos hosted the marriage of Richard the Lionheart with Berengaria of Navarre whom he crowned Queen of England. Thereafter the Crusaders made their headquarters at the Square Keep west of the city, known as Kolossi Mediavel Castle, where they fostered the making of wines, particularly the sweet dessert wine "Commandaria" - the oldest named wine in the world.
Lemesos is a lively town largely due to the character of Lemesolians, a fun-loving lot. No wonder it holds the island's two top festivals, the pre-lenten Carnival with fancy dress balls, parades and festivities and the Wine Festival in September, a wine extravaganza where wine flows freely for everyone to enjoy, courtesy of the local wineries.rhodos

Larnaka

Larnaca Seafront is vaguely reminiscent of the Continental promenade, with its line of mature palms and its languid air of sleepy charm. Cafes and tavernas line the area near the sea, making this popular spot with visitors and Cypriots alike during the long Summer for holidays. Nearby is the Marina, frequented by yachtsmen from all over the world. At the western end of the promenade is the town's 17th century fort, which now houses the Larnaca Mediavel greek Museum.
At the home of the island's main International airport, Larnaca offers many visitors their first taste of Cyprus. One of the first sights is the beautiful salt lake, home in the cooler months to colonies of graceful flamingos and other migratory birds. Beside the lake, in a tranquil setting crowned by lush palms, is the Hala Sultan Tekkesi, built to the memory of Prophet Mohammed's aunt.
Larnaca's links with Christianity go back to the very beginning, for the town's first bishop was none other than Agios Lazaros, who chose to live his second life' there after Jesus had raised him from the dead. A church builtin his name exists on the spot where his remains where said to be found. Larnaca's District Archaeological Museum and the Pierides Foundation Museum exhibit particularly interesting antiquities. The town's marble bust of Zeno, after the philosopher who founded the famous Stoic School, bears testimony to another famous son.

Stavrovouni, one of the oldest and most dramatically sited monateries in Cyprus, founded by Saint Helena, is within reach of Larnaca. Pearched atop a mountain it has stunning views in all directions. In accordance with the strict monastic tradition observed by this particular order, women are not allowed inside Stavrovouni greek Monastery.

A visit to the village of Lefkara, famed for the lace-like embroidery known "Lefkaritika" that was said to captivate Leonardo da Vinci, is also a treat.

Ayia Napa

With its superb golden sandy beaches, this area has become a big draw for sunseekers.

Ayia Napa, once a small fishing village, boasts a superb Venetian decorated monastery with a central octagonal fountain.

It lends character and substance to a village that's better known to holidaymakers for its colourful shops, tavernas, discos and bars. A small Marine Life Museum presents exhibits of past and present marine fauna.

The focal point of the resort is the small harbour, where the tavernas specialise in fresh fish harvested by the colourful fishing vessels. Life in the south eastern corner mostly revolves around the sea, and water sports of all kinds are reality enjoyed - from scuba diving to paragliding.rhodes rhodos kos

Protaras

Protaras has built up a deserving reputation for its windmills and glorious beaches. The small, whitewashed town of Paralimni, slightly inland, has a number of open-air, unspoilt tavernas known for their delicious local cuisine.
Cape Greco, on the very tip, has its own share of beaches and coves. With its contrasting rugged countryside, the dramatic fiery glow of sunsets from this spot has to been seen to be believed. Small churches dating from the 15th and 16th centuries are found in nearby villages.
The skilful craft of basket-making still carries on at Liopetri. The fishing shelter at Potamos Liopetriou, just east of the village of Xylofagou, is a photogenic inlet where fishermen mend their nets by day, before setting sail in the evening to farm the sea.rhodes kos rhodos

Paphos

Capital of the west and positively teeming with history is Pafos, site of the island's second international airport in Cyprus. The holiday resort town has as its focal point a charming fishing harbour by Pafos Fort, lined with open-air cafes and tavernas that serve a tempting menu of the day's catch.
It was on Pafos shoreline that the mythological Goddess Aphrodite was born - a legend that spawned a massive wave of cult worship from neighbouring countries that lasted several centuries. The large rock that juts from the sea is known as "Petra tou Romiou" - the Venus Rock - while the Baths of Aphrodite at Polis and the "Fonatna Amorosa"- Fountain of Love - also echo her apparent penchant for the island. At Kouklia lie remains of the Goddess' earliest Sanctuary.
Another "first" for Pafos was its early recognition of Christianity. While under Roman rule in 45 A.D., it was here that Saint Paul converted the first ruler to the faith. The legacy from its remarkable history adds up to nothing less than an open museum, so much so that UNESCO simply added the whole town to its World Cultural Heritage List.

Among the treasures unearthed, are the remarkable mosaics in the House of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, beautifully preserved after 16 centuries under the soil. Then there are the mysterious vaults and caves, the Tomb of the Kings, the Pillar to which Saint Paul was allegedly tied and whipped, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum greek greece rhodes rhodos rodos