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.

Pancyprian Gymnasium Museum-(с)-vagabundler.com
Mesaoria Alluvial Deposits & River Systems of Cyprus 4 – (c) chooseyourcyprus-com
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Artemis Trail (Troodos)

Artemis Trail (Troodos)

The Artemis Trail circles the highest peak in Cyprus at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, where black pine forests meet panoramic mountain views. This 7-kilometer loop takes hikers around Mount Olympus through one of the island's most distinctive natural environments. The trail offers an accessible mountain experience that combines ancient forests, geological curiosities, and views that stretch from the Troodos peaks to the distant Mediterranean coast. The trail is a circular route that takes between 2.5 to 3 hours to complete, with minimal elevation change throughout the walk. Despite its high altitude location, the path remains relatively flat, making it accessible to hikers of various fitness levels. The trail forms part of the Troodos National Forest Park and sits within a protected NATURA 2000 area. Historical Background The trail takes its name from Artemis, the ancient Greek goddess of wilderness and wild animals. In Greek mythology, Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. She was known as a fierce protector of forests, mountains, and untamed nature. The connection between the goddess and this mountain trail reflects both the wild character of the location and its role as a protected natural environment. Along the route, hikers encounter ruins of makeshift fortifications known as 'Teishia tis Palaias Choras'. These stone remnants date back to…

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Wild Rosemary in Cyprus

Wild Rosemary in Cyprus

Imagine a resilient shrub clinging to sun-baked rocks along Cyprus' rugged coastlines, its fragrant leaves releasing a piney aroma that evokes ancient rituals and modern kitchens alike. This is the story of wild rosemary, a Mediterranean icon thriving in Cyprus' diverse landscapes. But what secrets does this humble plant hold in its evergreen needles? A Fragrant Survivor of the Mediterranean Wild rosemary, known scientifically as Salvia rosmarinus, is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Lamiaceae family – a group of aromatic plants that includes mints, sages, and thymes, all sharing square stems and opposite leaves. It's a classic example of the broader mint family, which has evolved to produce essential oils as a defense against herbivores and harsh environments. In Cyprus, it's a native wildflower that dots the island's scrublands, embodying the tough, adaptive spirit of Mediterranean flora. Echoes from Ancient Shores Rosemary's history stretches back to the cradle of civilizations around the Mediterranean Sea. Ancient Greeks and Romans revered it as a sacred plant, weaving it into wreaths for scholars and athletes, symbolizing memory and fidelity – perhaps due to its invigorating scent believed to sharpen the mind. In Cyprus, influenced by these classical roots, it appears in folklore tied to Byzantine and Ottoman eras, where islanders used it in religious ceremonies and as a protective charm against evil…

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Genisteae Brooms In Cyprus

Genisteae Brooms In Cyprus

Imagine stepping onto a sun-drenched hillside in Cyprus as spring awakens the land. Suddenly, the dry, thorny scrub lights up with bright bursts of golden yellow, as though someone has scattered handfuls of sunshine across the rocks. These vivid displays come from the brooms of the Genisteae tribe – tough, spiny shrubs that turn the island’s classic maquis into a sea of gold. Pea-Family Pioneers of the Mediterranean Scrub The Genisteae belong to the great legume family Fabaceae, the same group that gives us peas, beans and clover. In Cyprus, two standout members bring the colour and character: Genista fasselata (Fassel’s broom) and Calycotome villosa (hairy thorny broom). Both are evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs perfectly suited to the island’s rugged, sun-baked slopes from sea level to the cooler heights of the Troodos. Born of Fire and Centuries of Change These plants tell a story as old as the Mediterranean itself. Long before people arrived around 6000 BC, Cyprus wore a cloak of dense forest. Over millennia, human activities – clearing land, grazing goats and accidental fires – transformed much of that woodland into today’s maquis and garigue. In these open, rocky habitats the brooms found their perfect home. Early naturalists exploring the island in the 1860s, such as Unger and Kotschy, noted the aromatic, spiny scrub clothing the hills, while…

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