Explore Cyprus with Our Interactive Map

Featured Articles

Explore our top stories and discover ideas worth your time.

View all articles
British Colonial Cyprus

British Colonial Cyprus

British colonial architecture in Cyprus reflects 82 years of British rule from 1878 to 1960. Unlike other colonies where British builders copied English designs directly, architecture in Cyprus followed a different path. British planners created a local style that combined European ideas with Cypriot building traditions. During this period, around 700 colonial buildings were constructed across the island. These included government offices, hospitals, post offices, courthouses, schools, and police stations. Most of these buildings were planned and built by the Public Works Department, which employed architects and engineers from Britain, other British territories, and Cyprus. Historical Background Cyprus came under British control in 1878 when the Ottoman Empire leased the island to Britain. At that time, the island was economically weak. Most towns and villages had an appearance closer to Middle Eastern settlements than European cities. The contrast between Cyprus and Britain was clear. Britain was a major industrial power with global influence, while Cyprus remained largely rural. When World War I began and the Ottoman Empire joined Germany, Britain canceled the lease and formally annexed Cyprus in 1914. In 1925, Cyprus became an official crown colony. This change marked a turning point in British construction policy. Early colonial buildings were simple and practical, showing Britain’s limited interest in long term investment. After full colonial status was established, construction increased…

Read more
Vavla Village

Vavla Village

Vavla is a small mountain village situated in the Larnaca district of Cyprus, approximately 38 kilometers west of Larnaca city and 450 meters above sea level. The village lies in the foothills of the Troodos mountains, positioned between the major cities of Larnaca, Limassol, and Nicosia, each within 25 to 40 minutes by car. With fewer than 100 permanent residents, Vavla has been officially declared a Preserved Village by the Cyprus authorities due to its traditional white stone architecture built from local Lefkara limestone. The village stands on the geological boundary between Lefkara limestone formations and the volcanic earth of Troodos, creating a unique microclimate that supports rich vegetation, including three rare species and 18 endemic plant varieties. Historical Origins The exact founding date of Vavla remains unknown, though archaeological evidence confirms human settlement in the area since ancient times. The village appears on a French map from 1367 as "Vala" or "Vaules" and on another from 1423 as "Vaula." Two competing theories explain the village name. One suggests it derives from a feudal lord named De Vavyla who controlled the area including Vavla, Kato Drys, and Lefkara during the Lusignan period in the 14th century. The alternative theory claims the name comes from a plant that grew along the Nile River banks in Egypt, which village residents brought to…

Read more
Cyprus Local Markets

Cyprus Local Markets

Cyprus local markets, known as laiki agora or people's markets, represent living institutions where agricultural producers sell directly to consumers while maintaining social networks that define community identity. These weekly open-air markets operate across cities, towns, and villages, with vendors displaying fresh produce, dairy products, preserved foods, and household goods on temporary stalls that appear each market day then disappear until the following week. The markets trace their origins to ancient agora traditions where commerce, politics, and social interaction converged in designated public spaces. For centuries, these gatherings functioned as primary venues for villagers to exchange surplus crops, acquire goods unavailable locally, and share information before modern retail and communication technologies transformed commerce. Despite supermarkets and online shopping, traditional markets persist because they offer direct farmer-to-consumer transactions, sensory shopping experiences, and trust-based relationships between regular customers and familiar vendors who guarantee product quality through personal reputation. The Weekly Rhythm of Market Days Each Cyprus community designates specific weekdays for its laiki agora, creating predictable schedules that structure household routines. Nicosia hosts multiple neighborhood markets on different days throughout the week, while smaller towns and villages typically organize single weekly markets. In the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, markets called pazarlar occur at least once weekly in nearly every town and village, with Kyrenia holding larger markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Market…

Read more