| Limassol Λεμεσός (gr), Limasol | ||
 | ||
| State | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Inhabitants | 183656 (2011) | |
| Prefix tel | 357 25 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 3010–3150 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Limassol is a city and a port of Cyprus.
To know
Limassol is, more than a tourist center, a cargo and passenger port with direct connections to Haifa is Port Said. Its inhabitants are cheerful and open-minded as evidenced by the Carnival festival, celebrated every year with great popular participation. They are very fond of the small hours.
Geographical notes
Limassol is located on the central-western stretch of the south coast, in a natural gulf formed by the Akrotiri peninsula, almost entirely occupied by a military base under full British sovereignty.
Background
Limassol was called Neapoli in classical times. It preserves traces of a sanctuary from the sixth century BC. which attest to its ancient origins. It played a marginal role in the historical events of Cyprus and for a long time lived in the shadow of the nearby cities of Kourion (15 km) and Amatunte (8 km) of which the suggestive ruins are now visible.
The city gained importance at the end of the Byzantine period and even more at the time of the Crusades. On 6 May 1191 it was conquered by Richard I of England, better known as Richard the Lionheart. It was in Limassol that Riccardo got married with Berengaria of Navarre. After the fall of Acre they settled in Limassol i knights of the order of the Templars closely followed by Knights Hospitaller. These two orders were hated by the Greek population who turned against them for a matter of taxes. Riccardo therefore found a generous buyer in the person of Guy of Lusignano, founder of a dynasty that ruled Cyprus until 1489. Limassol prospered under the Lusignano but suffered a terrible flood in 1330 and four raids by the Mamluks between 1414 and 1426 until it was completely destroyed by Mustafa Lala the pasha in the service of the sultan who landed there with his galleys in 1570.
Fourteen years later, a terrible earthquake razed what little the Turks had left standing and for the following centuries Limassol was reduced to little more than a village inhabited by a hundred families. It was only under British rule (1878-1959) that the city recovered from its fortunes and became the first merchant port in Cyprus, a record it still retains today.
How to orient yourself
Limassol: full screen map.Center
the old city center with the castle and the mosque no longer in operation extends around the former fishing port (old harbor) where today pleasure boats are at anchor. The modern center extends immediately to the north, again along the promenade arranged as a park. Further north, beyond the zoo, is the tourist area of Limassol with a high concentration of hotels.
On the southern outskirts, on the other hand, is the new merchant port (New Harbor).
Beaches
Among the beaches surrounding Limassol, that of Kourion close to the archaeological site of the same name and another near the village of Pissouri. However, the closest to the center is the beach Ladies Mile just south of New Harbor and close to the British military base. It is not equipped but has a couple of restaurants. It cannot be reached by public transport
- Governor's Beach it is the beach that hosts a campsite. In summer it is reached by a public bus line. Further on, to the west is the beach of White Rocks where, it seems, nudism is practiced but in a very discreet way. The beach is, moreover, very secluded and can be reached on foot after driving along an unpaved road which after a while turns into a run-down path.
How to get
By bus
The terminus of minibuses and suburban taxis for Larnaca, Pafos is Nicosia are located around the old port. One company is Alepas.
How to get around
By public transport
The buses are sufficient to move for example from the tourist area to the historic center located on the other side but always on the seafront.
By taxi
Taxis are salty and those wishing to save money will have to use public transport.
What see
- Limassol Castle. Located near the port and the mosque, the castle houses the chapel of San Giorgio where, according to historical reports, the wedding between Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria of Navarre took place. It was May 12, 1191. The castle consists of an underground part that houses a three-nave Gothic-style church with Byzantine influences. on the ground floor is the hall of antiquities while the upper floor houses a museum with Neolithic archaeological finds from the site of Erimi 13 km from Limassol. Weapons from all eras are also exhibited. The rooms of the museum were used as a prison at the time of the Ottoman and British rule.
Events and parties
What to do
- Watermania. Amusement park north of the city on the highway to Pafos, near the Orfanidis shopping center. A shuttle bus service is available from the center.
Shopping
Limassol is famous for the production of wines. Trade streets are those of Agios Andreas and Anecsartisias with shops selling leather or leather goods. On the seafront is the "Debenhams" shopping center with a supermarket. In the hotel area north of the center are the "Carrefour" warehouses. The largest is "Orphanides" but in a decentralized position.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Nostalgia, Amathous Avenue 7B, Lemesos 4531, ☎ 357 25 311 770, fax: 357 25 311 838. Hotel Apartments Category C.
- Mistral, 28th October Street 225, Lemesos 3035, ☎ 357 25 358 455, fax: 357 25 372 542. Hotel Apartments. Category C. The least expensive of the hotels in the "tourist area", on the seafront north of the center.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
Along the way to Pafos:
- Colossi Castle (11 km) - The castle consists of a single 3-storey square tower. It was in 1191 the place of the meeting between Richard the Lionheart and his rival Isaac Comnenus.
