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Isolated Cyprus Villages with Scenic Views

Isolated Cyprus Villages with Scenic Views

Isolated villages scattered across the Cypriot mountains offer some of the most dramatic views on the island. These remote settlements cling to hillsides and nestle in valleys, far from coastal tourist centers and modern development. The villages sit at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,380 meters above sea level. Their geographic isolation preserved traditional architecture and ways of life that disappeared elsewhere. Stone houses with wooden balconies, cobblestone streets, and terraced hillsides create scenes that seem frozen in time. Panoramic vistas stretch in every direction from these mountain perches. Visitors can see across valleys thick with pine forests, down to distant coastlines, and toward other villages dotting the landscape. The clean mountain air and reduced light pollution make these locations ideal for photography and stargazing. Centuries of Mountain Settlement People have inhabited Cyprus mountains for thousands of years, though many current villages date from medieval times. During periods when coastal areas faced invasion threats, communities moved inland to the protection of mountain terrain. The Troodos Mountains became a refuge during Byzantine rule. Monasteries appeared first, followed by villages that supported religious communities. The mountains offered natural defense and cooler temperatures during scorching summers. Village names often trace back to feudal families or geographic features. Fikardou possibly derives from the phrase "den of fugitives" or from the noble Ficardo family. Sir…

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Cyprus Metal Crafts Through Ages

Cyprus Metal Crafts Through Ages

Cyprus holds a unique position in metalworking history. The island gave its name to copper itself, with the Latin term "cuprum" deriving from "Cyprus." For over 6,000 years, Cypriot artisans have shaped metals into tools, weapons, jewelry, and decorative objects. The tradition spans from simple Chalcolithic copper tools around 4000 BCE to Byzantine gold treasures and modern handcrafted silver jewelry. This heritage connects ancient mining operations in the Troodos Mountains with contemporary workshops where craftspeople maintain techniques passed down through generations. Historical Background The metal story in Cyprus begins during the Chalcolithic period when early settlers discovered native copper deposits. By 3000 BCE, Cypriots were already working copper to create artifacts of high quality that circulated throughout the Mediterranean. Archaeological evidence shows that copper smelting started during the third millennium BCE, transforming the island into a major production center. The Bronze Age brought massive expansion. Cyprus became the largest copper supplier around the Mediterranean, with the island's strategic location between three continents making it a vital trading hub. Ancient texts from Babylon, Mari, and Alalakh dating to the 19th through 17th centuries BCE mention copper from Alashiya, the Bronze Age name for Cyprus. The Ulu Burun shipwreck discovered off Turkey's southwestern coast carried over 10 tons of Cypriot copper ingots when it sank in the late 14th century BCE, demonstrating…

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Ancient Wine Pressing Techniques Cyprus Wineries

Ancient Wine Pressing Techniques Cyprus Wineries

Cyprus holds one of the longest unbroken wine traditions in the world, with archaeological evidence placing winemaking on the island at approximately 5,500 years ago. Pottery fragments discovered at Erimi village and analyzed in 2005 by Italian archaeologist Maria-Rosaria Belgiorno showed traces of tartaric acid, proving that these Chalcolithic period vessels dated between 3500 BC and 3000 BC were used for wine storage. What makes Cyprus unique is not just the antiquity of its wine culture, but the remarkable continuity of production methods that survived for millennia. Historical Background The earliest winemaking in Cyprus relied on simple but effective techniques. Grapes were placed in stone or clay basins where workers trod them with bare feet to extract the juice. A ceramic jug from Pyrgos dating to 2000 BC depicts a woman with her feet in a pressing vessel with juice flowing into a basin below, representing one of the earliest known visual records of grape treading anywhere in the Mediterranean. Medieval wine presses evolved into more sophisticated equipment, with the Omodos Wine Press representing a stunning example that is between 700 and 800 years old. This press features an enormous double wooden beam spanning the room, with a giant wooden screw attached to one end and weighted by a large stone that could be raised and lowered by pulley. Workers…

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