Explore Cyprus with Our Interactive Map

Featured Articles

Explore our top stories and discover ideas worth your time.

View all articles
Coral Bay Beach, Paphos, Cyprus

Coral Bay Beach, Paphos, Cyprus

The beach stretches approximately 500 meters along a horseshoe-shaped bay. Two limestone headlands flank the shoreline and create natural protection from strong winds and waves. This geographical formation keeps the waters remarkably calm even when other beaches experience rough conditions. The sand at Coral Bay is fine and golden, considered among the best examples of sandy beach terrain in Cyprus. Unlike many Mediterranean beaches that feature pebbles or coarse sand, Coral Bay offers soft sand that remains comfortable for barefoot walks and beach activities. The waters are shallow and clear enough to see the seabed, which makes the beach particularly suitable for children and less confident swimmers. Cyprus recognized Coral Bay as its ninth plastic-free beach, part of a broader environmental initiative to reduce plastic waste along the island's coastlines. This designation reflects ongoing efforts to maintain the beach's natural beauty and protect marine ecosystems. Historical Background At the northern end of Coral Bay sits the Maa-Paleokastro archaeological site, where the first Mycenaean Greeks settled in 1200 BC. These settlers arrived on Cyprus after the fall of the Mycenaean kingdoms in mainland Greece. The site marks the beginning of the Hellenization of Cyprus, the process through which Greek language and culture spread across the island. The settlement takes its name from its imposing defensive walls, which were always visible and…

Read more
Colour as Theological and Social Language

Colour as Theological and Social Language

Color as Theological and Social Language in ancient Cypriot art involved the deliberate use of hues to convey concepts of divinity, societal roles, and human experience. Red often symbolized fertility and vital energy, black represented mourning or the mysteries of the afterlife, and gold evoked divine authority. Artists selected these colors with intent, transforming ordinary objects into carriers of profound messages that continue to reveal insights into the island's cultural and spiritual world. A Palette Rich in Symbolism Ancient Cypriot art employed colors as a form of communication, where each shade carried layers of theological and social significance. Far from mere embellishment, these choices reflected a sophisticated system in which hues expressed ideas of sanctity, power, grief, or renewal. Influenced by the island's position as a crossroads of Eastern and Western traditions, colors served to link everyday life with deeper spiritual realities, creating a visual language that resonated across communities and generations. Origins and Development in Cypriot Art The use of color in Cypriot art dates to prehistoric periods, beginning around 4000 BC during the Chalcolithic era, when natural pigments derived from earth, minerals, and plants were applied to figurines and pottery. Red ochre, sourced from local soils, appeared frequently in cave markings and on ritual objects, associated with blood, life force, and regenerative power. As trade expanded in the…

Read more
Bellapais Abbey

Bellapais Abbey

Bellapais Abbey is a 13th-century monastery ruin located in the village of Bellapais, about 5 kilometers from Kyrenia in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus. Built on a hillside at 220 meters above sea level, the abbey offers views across the coast to the Mediterranean Sea. This Gothic structure is considered one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean and remains one of Cyprus's most visited historical sites. The site may have been known as Episcopia or Piscopia before the abbey was built, suggesting it served as a residence for the Bishop of Kyrenia and as a refuge during Arab raids in the 7th and 8th centuries. The elevated position and defensible location made it suitable for both religious and protective purposes during periods of coastal threats. Historical Background The first occupants known to settle at the site were Augustinian monks called the Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre, who fled Jerusalem in 1187 after the city fell to Saladin during the Crusades. These monks had previously been custodians of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of Christianity's holiest sites. King Aimery de Lusignan granted them land and founded the monastery between 1198 and 1205. The abbey was consecrated as the Abbey of St. Mary of the Mountain. In 1206, the Premonstratensians, also known…

Read more