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Kition Phoenician City

Kition Phoenician City

Kition was a city on the southeast coast of Cyprus, where modern Larnaca is today. It was founded in the late 13th century BC during the Late Bronze Age and remained inhabited until the Ptolemaic period. The city had many names: Kittim in the Bible, Kitiya in Phoenician, and Citium in Latin. Kition was an important port, connecting Cyprus with the Aegean, the Levant, and Egypt. The city spread over a large area under modern Larnaca, but only some parts have been dug up. The main archaeological areas are Kathari (Area II), about 500 meters north of Bamboula hill, and Bamboula, about 50 meters north of the Larnaca Archaeological Museum. Excavations here have uncovered temples, city walls, houses, and a 5th-century BC naval harbor with sheds for triremes (ancient warships). Kition’s importance was so well-known in ancient times that in Hebrew, Kittim came to mean all western peoples. The modern name Larnaca comes from the Greek word larnax, meaning sarcophagus, because many ancient tombs were found in the area. Historical Background Around 1300 BC, Mycenaean Greeks founded Kition to take advantage of local copper deposits during the Late Cypro II period. The early city had mudbrick walls for protection and typical Late Bronze Age buildings. Around 1200 BC, a wave of destruction swept through many cities at the end of…

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Bonelli’s Eagle: Mighty Ruler of Cyprus

Bonelli’s Eagle: Mighty Ruler of Cyprus

High above the silent pine forests of the Troodos and the jagged ridgeline of the Pentadaktylos, a large, powerful bird rides the thermals with effortless authority. It is not the most colourful bird in Cyprus, nor the most famous, but it is, without question, the mightiest. This is Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata), the only large eagle that still breeds on the island of Cyprus. And once you know its story, you will never look at a mountain skyline here quite the same way again.  Meet the Booted Eagles – A Family of Champions  Eagles are among the most recognisable birds on Earth, symbols of power, freedom, and wildness across virtually every culture in human history. Bonelli's Eagle belongs to the family Accipitridae, and its feathered legs mark it as a member of the Aquilinae, or booted eagle subfamily, a distinguished group of at least 38 species all sharing the signature of well-feathered tarsi. Think of it as a very exclusive club within an already elite group.  Genetically, Bonelli's Eagle turns out to be closely related to some of the grandest birds on the planet – the golden eagle, Verreaux's eagle, and the wedge-tailed eagle of Australia. In evolutionary terms, this compact, agile hunter shares deep roots with giants. What it lacks in sheer bulk compared to its cousins, it more than makes up for in speed, precision, and raw hunting intelligence.  A Name, a Man, and a Bird Born…

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Kampanopetra Basilica

Kampanopetra Basilica

The Basilica of Kampanopetra is an extensive archaeological complex located within the ancient city of Salamis, near modern Famagusta in Cyprus. Dating to the late 5th or early 6th century CE, it represents one of the largest early Byzantine architectural remains on the island. The site formed part of Constantia, the name given to Salamis after major earthquakes in the 4th century CE led to a large scale reconstruction of the city. The complex is arranged in a long, structured sequence of spaces extending along an east west axis. It includes a large courtyard, entrance halls, a monumental three aisled central hall, and an additional eastern courtyard. In total, the structure extends over 150 meters in length, reflecting the scale and ambition of major public architecture in Late Antiquity. Its proportions indicate that it was designed to accommodate large gatherings and to serve an important civic and institutional function within the reorganized city. The name Kampanopetra has been interpreted in different ways, with some linking it to later monastic activity in the area and others associating it with local topographical or architectural features. Regardless of its exact origin, the name reflects the continued use of the site in later centuries after its original function had ceased. Historical Background Salamis was among the most prominent urban centers of ancient Cyprus. Founded…

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