Cyprus has a long history and a rich culture, making it one of the oldest civilisations in the Mediterranean – as evidenced by the many fascinating cultural sights, museums, monuments and galleries
This island’s unique geographic position has inevitably played an important part in its turbulent past, dating back to antiquity. Its prehistoric inhabitants were joined 3,500 years ago by Mycenaean Greeks, who introduced and established their own civilisation, thus permanently instilling the island’s Greek roots. Many other cultures followed, including Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, Franks, Venetians, Ottomans and British.
UNESCO has added three of the island’s sites to its list of World Heritage Sites, including the painted churches in the Troodos region, Aphrodite’s legendary birthplace in Paphos and the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia
The island is a veritable open-air museum of prehistoric settlements, classical Greek temples, Roman theatres and villas, Early Christian basilicas, Byzantine churches and monasteries, Crusader castles, Gothic cathedrals, Venetian fortifications, Muslim mosques and British colonial-style buildings, yet it has also managed to preserve its picturesque villages. UNESCO has added three of the island’s sites to its list of World Heritage Sites, including the painted churches in the Troodos region, Aphrodite’s legendary birthplace in Paphos and the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia.