GODDESS OF LOVEโAPHRODITE
Cyprus is famous as the โplaygroundโ of Greek Gods.
Cyprus took it name by the surname of goddess of love Aphrodite, Kipris Aphtodite โฮฯฯฯฮนฯ ฮฯฯฮฟฮดฮฏฯฮท”
Legend records that the Greek goddess of loveโAphroditeโwas born in Cyprus.
According to the legend, the Ancient Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty – Aphrodite – was born of the sea foam here. Legend tells that she rose from the waves and was escorted on a shell to this particular beach.
Aphrodite is said to have emerged from a rock at Latchi area in Poli Crysochous. (now called Aphroditeโs beach). According to the legends, as the ocean waves crush over this rock, they form pillars of foam that resemble the goddess of love and if you see closely, you can see the goddess to form out of the ocean foams.
Petra tou Romiou-Pafos
Myths states that swimming around the rock three times will bring various blessings, including eternal youth and beauty, good luck, fertility, true love and the power of Digenis Akritas.
According to legend, the rock you find on the site is the one thrown by Digenis Akritas to keep the Saracen Arabs away (7th-10th centuries)
The name of Petra tou Romiou (โrock of the Greekโ in Greek)
The bridge of love– Ayia Napa
In Cape Greco there is one of the most amazing natural monolithic stone bridges that has stood there for centuries in Cyprus, โThe bridge of loveโ
It is believed that if you kiss your loved one while standing in the middle of the bridge arch and make a wish, it will definitely come true.
The Cave of the Cyclops-Paralimni
They call it the Cave of the Cyclops (monstrous deities of ancient Greek mythology) since according to legends, a family of Cyclops lived in it when it sank after a storm.
Apart from the majestic cave, the sea area of โโthe surrounding area is also of great interest as it is an excellent diving spot for diving lovers, with rich marine life.
Dali, โI saw the sun!โ ฮฮฑฮปฮน ยซฮนฮดฮฟฯ ฮฌฮปฮนฮฟฮฝยป – Nicosia
In 1100 BC the kingdom “Idalion” is founded by King Halkanoras.
When the Trojan War ended, king Halkanora arrived in Cyprus and received the oracle to build a city where the sun would rise.
Proceeding with his army, at an unsuspecting time one of his soldiers began to shout, “idou alion”, meaning “I saw the sun”.
From this event the village took its name and since then it was founded on the spot where the ancient village Idalion is located today blending in with todays buildings.
The baths of the goddess Aphrodite-Paphos
The Baths of Aphrodite or the “kingdom of Aphrodite” is a magnificent spring, located on the eastern slope of Akamas, near the sea.
According to legend, the goddess of love, Aphrodite used to bathe in this spring.
Adonis, a symbol of beauty, while hunting stopped to drink water from the spring.
According to mythology, as soon as he drank water from the spring, he saw the goddess and fell in love with her.
Baths of Adonis-Paphos
In the village of Koili, Paphos province there is the largest statue of Aphrodite and Adonis in the world – 10 meters high. According to traditions, when visitors touch the statues, it helps them bear a child.
Therapeutic thermal springs of Kalopanagioti.
The thermal springs of Kalopanagiotis are located near of the Setrachos river
The healing properties of the miraculous waters of Kalopanagiotis have been known since ancient times.
Kings and princes visited the area during the time of the Romans, Byzantines and Franks. The water of the springs is still used today for thermal baths.
The use of the thermal springs of Kalopanagiotis continued until recent years, since world organizations rank the water from these springs, among the most healing and thermal waters.
They can be used both for healing internally (disorders of the digestive system of the urinary tract, atony and anemia and skin diseases), and for the skin, with baths (rheumatic diseases, blood pressure, nervous system stimulation, skin diseases, etc.)
The miracle of St. Helen
In the Akrotiri of Limassol, there is one of the oldest Monasteries, the monastery of Ai-Nikolas founded by St. Helen, mother of Constantine the Great.
During that period, Cyprus suffered from many years of lack of water, with the result that poisonous snakes multiplied dangerously on the island.
It is believed that Saint Helen prayed and then the heavens opened. Torrential rains watered the thirsty earth and for the first time, after many years, a rainbow appeared in the sky.
Agia Eleni in order to face the snake problem, gathered in the Monastery about a thousand cats. The snake problem was solved and when cats heard the beacon sound of the church, they stopped hunting snakes and gathered in the churchyard. The Monastery is still full of cats.
“Temple of Love” Larnaca
The “temple of Love”, is the only chapel in the whole of Cyprus and in the whole world, which is dedicated to the “Virgin of Love”.
In this church, according to tradition, the man or woman who wants to fall in love with the one he loves or does not find the expected response, then goes to the church. There is the sacred soil of the Virgin Mary, which is located under a marble, behind the Holy Table, in the Virgin Mary of Love. Then he must take a small amount of the sacred soil, which the interested person should throw in the water or coffee that the person who wants to fall in love with will drink and then he will feel the eternal love, for the person who gave it to him.
They also say that if you visit it with your partner it will seal your love and you will stay in love forever.
The tree of wishes-Pafos
This tree at the entrance to the Christian catacombs in Paphos is worshiped by putting handkerchiefs and ribbons on the branches of the tree.
It is traditionally and customised believed that by doing so, infertile women will bear children and people will return to their loved ones when something that belonged to them is tied to the tree along with a belief that good will happen.
Traditional and religious festivals:
Visitors are welcome to visit Cyprus and its traditional festivals, and try traditional homemade treats made, traditional music, unique local foods and drinks.
Sunshine
Cyprus isโฏknown for its sunshine!โฏIt receives sunshine for more than 300 days during a year, which is nearly double the amount received in Britain and in most countries in Europe.
Careta Caretaโฏturtle and other sea wildlife.
Paphos is home to various rare species including the Careta Caretaโฏturtle that.โฏSeasonally, it crosses the Mediterranean and comes offshore around August to lay eggs. These turtles are well-guarded in nesting areas and can lay about 80 eggs each. The last years it is noticed that the turtles are having their nests in other beaches in Cyprus.
Besides Careta-careta, Paphos welcomes every year families of seals and even packs of dolphins that may be seen while cruising around the island.
National Animal -โฏAgrino (mouflon)โฏ
Cypriot Agrino (mouflon) is an animal found only in Cyprus. It is categorised as a wild sheep, very unique and rare and is considered a symbol for Cyprus. Agrino is strictly protected. Agrino is the biggest animal in Cyprus its said to have originated from a wild Asian sheep brought by prehistoric Cypriots around 9000-8000BC.
Cyprus Salt Lakes
The Salt Lake – known locally as โAlykiโ
It is a network of four salt lakes of various sizes, of which, three are interconnected. The larger lakes are Lake Orfani, Lake Soros and Lake Spyros and the smaller one is located inside Larnaca airport.
The Salt Lake in Larnaca, Limassol (Akrotiri) Salt Lake, Oroklini Lake, Zakaki lakes.
Salt lakes are one of the most significant biotopes in Europe – and one of the most important habitats in Europe for waterfowl.
According to legends, the lake’s saltiness stems from Saint Lazarus’ request of an old woman for food and drink. According to the legend, she refused his request, claiming that her vines had dried up, to which Lazaros replied โmay your vines be dry and be a Salt Lake forever moreโ.
Of course the scientific explanation is that the salt water penetrates the porous rock between the lake and the sea, making the water very salty.
Flamingos in Cyprus
During the winter, besides its picturesque beauty, the lake fills with water of 85 different species of water-birds with estimated populations between 20,000โ38,000, including thousands of flamingos, wild ducks, geese, gulls, terns, reed warblers and many other seabirds protected by international law.
Birds choose the island because there plenty of food to eat and they arrive in winter to the lake in Larnaca every year.
The flamingos use the salt lake as a station for rest and food and then continue their journey to Africa.
The black flamingo we see in Cyprus in recent years was a surprise to locals and may be the only species in the whole planet.
It is estimated that its color is due to a rare case of melanoma, a condition that leads to excessive production of the pigment melanin.
Fun Facts about Flamingos!
- Flamingos are not born pink (the pink color comes from the pigments in their diet)
- The past years running, we had a black flamingo visitor
- They always arrive very hungry
- They prefer to stand and sleep on one leg
- They eat upside down
- They are greater flamingo, the largest species of flamingos
