Larnaca

LARNACA

The modern city of Larnaka is built on the shores of the Bay of Larnaka in the SE of the island, a few kilometres to the north of the ancient kingdom of Kition.It is characterized by low relief as no part of the city has an elevation of more than 50 metres. It has a population of 68.800 and ranks third in size among the island's settlements, after Nicosia and Limassol.

Larnaca with the main international airport and the famous promenade road with the palm trees, it is built on the site of the ancient kingdom of Kition. In Larnaka, the traveller can visit the church of St. Lazarus, and at Kiti the 16th century church of Panayia Angeloktisti with its famous mosaics. A visit to the Pierides Museum it is a must because it is the oldest and richest private collection of Cypriot antiquities on the island, treasured by five generations of the Pierides family and it represents all aspects of civilisation and cultural heritage in ancient Cyprus.

Throughout the centuries, Kition had remained one of Cyprus's main city-states, enjoying periods of prosperity when trade was flourishing. It is connected with important milestones in the island's history which include the liberation of the city from the Persian yoke by the Athenian General Kimon, and the presence in the city of Lazarus, the man Jesus Christ brought back from the dead. The vulnerability of the city to earthquakes, floods and raids contributed to its decline during the Middle Ages.

The city of Larnaka is well-known for its picturesque sea-front which includes rows of palm trees, finikoudes, in the local Greek dialect. Much of the activity is centred around the city promenade during the major festivals.