Cyprus Archives ⋆ The Passenger

October 31, 2021April 14, 2022

Sigá, sigá

Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and currently the most eastern part of the European Union. In fact, it is incredibly close to states like Syria or Lebanon. It is known as the island of Aphrodite (or Venus) and it has an interesting history. The whole island is part of the EU, but it is a divided island with an occupied Turkish northern part. Cyprus is a good place for a summer holiday, and it seems to be to the Russians what Mallorca means to the Germans. And it is a place for relaxation which can already be seen in the local philosophy of life: sigá, sigá; always slowly, always relaxed.

October 30, 2021January 27, 2022

St. Lazarus

The story of Lazarus of Bethany is well-known: according to the bible he was a close friend of Jesus. After he had died Jesus came to his grave and called him back to life. What happened afterwards is not documented in the bible, but there are different legends: one says that Lazarus lauter became the bishop of Λάρνακα.

October 30, 2021January 27, 2022

Livadhiotis

If you need a hotel at the city center of Λάρνακα, the Livadhiotis is a desirable choice. It is located a convenient walk away from the beach, the St. Lazarus church and the Larnaka castle. Around the hotel you’ll find many bars and restaurants; the hotel itself offers spacious rooms with good balconies. I enjoyed having a room facing the quiet inner courtyard.

October 30, 2021January 27, 2022

Cape Greco

When you’re at Αγία Νάπα in the east of Cyprus it is a promising idea to enjoy the sunset at the end of the island, the Cape Greco. The final land’s end is unfortunately covered by a British radar station, but you can explore rocky areas, beaches and grottos located west of it.

October 30, 2021January 24, 2022

Selimiye Camii

When you look at ancient maps and images of Λευκωσία, you can see a large church in the center of the city boundaries marked by the Venetian walls protecting the city: the Cathedral of Saint Sophia. It was built from the year 1209 on and the Knights Templar supported the creation during the crusades. The kings of Cyprus were crowned there during the existence of their kingdom (1192 to 1489 CE).

October 30, 2021January 24, 2022

Cyprus museum

The Cyprus museum in Λευκωσία is very old-fashioned. You can’t learn much about the Cypriot history, it is rather an archaeologic museum exhibiting statues and ancient jars. It was founded in 1882 and is an important institution as it preserves the ancient findings from the island.

October 30, 2021January 24, 2022

Visual arts

The Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) is a wonderful museum in the northeast of the Greek part of the old town of Λευκωσία. On multiple levels the CVAR shows drawings and paintings of Cyprus. These depict the island in former days and also express how the country has been seen; especially on posters advertising the ‘colony’ as a vacation paradise.

October 29, 2021January 24, 2022

NiMAC

If you’re into modern and contemporary art you should pay a visit to the NiMAC, Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre. It is located in the old powerhouse of Λευκωσία and already this renovated ancient building is worth dropping in. The rather small museum was opened in 1994 and exhibits works from Cypriot and foreign artists.

October 29, 2021January 23, 2022

EOKA

One of the biggest monuments of Λευκωσία is the Liberty Monument erected in 1973. It honors the EOKA fighting against British colonialism and occupation of Cyprus. EOKA stands for Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston, the National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters. It was a military organisation fighting for Cypriot independence and for long time it was seen as a right-wing, nationalist organization. Today their work for independence is accepted and it has its fair part in Cypriot history.

October 29, 2021April 14, 2022

Green line

Λευκωσία is the last divided capital in Europe. When you’re walking through the city, you’ll find barriers made from oil barrels, roadblocks, barb wire and (bored) guards along a no-man’s-land leading from the east to the west of the city. This area is protected by UN forces and even as you’re not allowed to do photographs you can get close to the border pretty easy. It is bizarre to see the empty and deteriorating buildings in the heart of the city.