About Us

Our website is the product of a passionate team deeply devoted to Cyprus and its rich history. Empowered by Sergey Matsotskiy and headed by Michael Dubilet, our project was made possible by specialists – historians, oceanologists, geologists, and writers – dedicated to uncovering and sharing the island’s lesser-known treasures. The advisory board includes eminent scholars, including Dr. Petros Papapolitiou, Dean of the Faculty of Letters at the University of Cyprus; Dr. Charalambos Alexandrou, President of the EOKA Liberation Foundation; and many others. Our creative team includes Konstantinos Panagi, Vasily Papkovsky, Konstantin Soloviev, and many others.

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Romantic Cyprus Spots for Photoshoots

Romantic Cyprus Spots for Photoshoots

Cyprus provides an ideal setting for romantic photography due to its diverse natural landscapes. The island possesses a unique light that enhances the visual quality of every frame. Couples find many locations that offer a peaceful and intimate atmosphere for their sessions. Professional photographers favor the Mediterranean coast for its dramatic rock formations and clear blue water. Mountainous regions offer a cooler climate and lush greenery for a different aesthetic. Each site presents a specific set of colors and textures that suit romantic themes perfectly. This guide details nine premier locations for high quality romantic imagery across the island. Every destination offers distinct features that cater to various stylistic preferences. A focus on factual information ensures a successful and productive photo session for all participants. 9 Best Romantic Photoshoot Places in Cyprus Here’s a list of locations that showcase Cyprus' charm, such as the Love Bridge of Ayia Napa and the Troodos Peaks. Each spot offers a unique atmosphere that will allow couples to craft images that blend personal memories with the island's timeless beauty. 1. White Rocks The White Rocks area near Governor Beach is a geological marvel that provides a stark contrast for romantic portraits. The brilliant white limestone cliffs meet the deep blue sea to create a monochromatic background of high elegance. This location is famous for…

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Bay Laurel in Cyprus

Bay Laurel in Cyprus

Imagine brushing past a glossy-leaved tree beside a sparkling Cypriot stream – the air instantly fills with a warm, spicy, almost resinous perfume that lingers on your fingers for hours. This is the bay laurel, standing quietly yet majestically among the island’s wild places, its leaves whispering stories of gods, victors and everyday Cypriot kitchens. A Fragrant Evergreen of the Laurel Family Laurus nobilis, the true bay laurel or sweet bay, belongs to the Lauraceae family – a small but aromatic group that also includes cinnamon and camphor. In Cyprus it grows as an evergreen tree or large shrub, often reaching 8–15 metres in sheltered spots, though it stays more shrub-like when exposed to wind or grazing. From Apollo’s Wreath to Cypriot Streams The bay laurel has been part of Mediterranean life since antiquity. In Cyprus it was already well known when Unger and Kotschy explored the island in 1862 – they recorded it as frequent around Limassol and noted its presence among myrtle, olive and other maquis trees. Even earlier, the great physician Dioscorides (1st century AD) described its leaves and berries in detail, recommending them for digestion, inflammation and as a warming oil. In Greek mythology the tree is sacred to Apollo: when the nymph Daphne fled his advances she was transformed into a laurel, which the god…

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Cypriot Lyra

Cypriot Lyra

The Cypriot lyra is a bowed string instrument with a distinctive sound and playing style, at the heart of village music traditions and improvisation in Cyprus. It keeps alive ancient modal systems that date back to Byzantine times, blending melody and rhythm in ways that echo the island's rich history. This humble yet expressive tool has shaped Cypriot folk culture for centuries, raising questions about how such a simple device captures the soul of a people. A Timeless Voice of the Island The Cypriot lyra represents a key element of the island's musical heritage, a three-stringed bowed instrument that produces haunting, resonant tones unique to Mediterranean folk traditions. Crafted from local woods like walnut or mulberry, its pear-shaped body and goat-skin membrane create a sound that is both melancholic and vibrant, often compared to a human voice in its emotional range. Played vertically on the knee, it allows for intricate bowing and fingering techniques that facilitate spontaneous improvisation, a hallmark of Cypriot music. This instrument is not merely a musical device but a cultural symbol, embodying the blend of Eastern and Western influences that define Cyprus's identity. The Historical Roots of the Lyra The lyra's origins trace back to the medieval Byzantine era, evolving from the ancient kithara and rebab-like instruments introduced through trade and conquest. Archaeological evidence from sites…

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