Get Set Jet Set » Cyprus: Around Limassol

Cyprus: Around Limassol

Filed under: Exploration by allisonwucher

Day Two: Kolassi Castle, Ancient Kourion Ruins and Beach, and Aphrodite’s Rock

Kolossi Castle

Me in an archway of the Basilica in Ancient Kourion

View to the Rock of Aphrodite.

Today I visited some important sites around Limassol with my hosts, J&R. They were very nice to take me around and will be taking me to a couple of other sites around the island. This is incredibly helpful because there are very few public transport options in Cyprus so the alternative is taking the big bus tours, which certainly is not as personal or comfortable!

Our first stop was Kolassi Castle. It is,”a fine example of military architecture originally constructed in the 13th century and subsequently rebuilt in its present form in the middle of the 15th century. It served first as the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar, and after the fall of Acre in 1291 for some years, as the headquarters of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.” (read more at CyprusCastles.com)

The square fortified castle only has a few embellishments, including one fresco of the crucifixion with the Virgin and St. John the Baptist, several fire places with carved Fleur-de-lis, on the exterior there is a metal coat of arms, and there are several other carved bits here and there. In the basement they stored wine and outside they had a storage warehouse for sugar, both of which they made on the premises. The light sand color of the stone of the castle gives it a much “warmer” feeling than those of Western Europe. From the roof of the castle you have a 360 degree view of the surrounding region. Luckily it was a sunny day so the view was great! The area is FILLED with orange groves and vineyards. The trees are full of oranges and the orange season is almost over (which is why the Kean Factory next door to the flat is running constantly!)

Crucifixion Fresco

View from the top of the castle looking onto the sugar refining facility/storage

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Following the Kolossi Castle we visited the ruins of ancient Kourion. Kourion was likely settled in Neolithic times and occupied until the 13th century. The ruins include the House of Eustolios (much like the Slope Houses in Ephesus) which contain several well preserved mosaics from the 5th century A.D. There is an incredible view from the House of Eustolios onto the Kourion Beach and nearby bluffs (bluffs where apparently the British house their military personnel and families for the nearby British base). It certainly would have been incredible to see the House of Eustolios when it was in tact, view and all. Seeing this view made me to consider what the view would have been like from the Slope Houses in Ephesus if the bay had not silted over.

Mosaic tiles and a view of the sea

figurative imagery, text, and geometic shapes. I am a fan of the box.

View of the sea and of the structure protecting the Epioston House

View of the sea and of the structure protecting the Eustolios House

We walked up to the amphitheater, which still occasionally holds concerts and plays (and has been retrofitted to do so, for better or for worse). The view from the amphitheater was equally impressive and it would be very exciting to see a concert there! Next we walked to the Agora (market) and Early Episcopal Basilica, one of the earliest and most important on the Island from the 5th century A.D. Here there were a few standing columns and arches. I am now always skeptical as to what was actually standing when the ruins were excavated and what was reconstructed (and how/why they decided to reconstruct it that way). However this didn’t stop me from enjoying the general organization of the structural elements with the seemingly “natural” spread of spoila.

Amphitheater

the Agora (market)

Leaning on a column in Kourion

View from the Basilica Site. You can see the Kourion Beach and the bluffs where the Brits live.

Our last few stops were the house of the gladiator (with some nicely preserved mosaics of armored figures) and the bathes. Overall I was very impressed with the ruins, which was certainly heightened by the view and SUN.

Back in cat country!

Following the ruins we had lunch on the Kourion Beach and then continued on to Aphrodite’s Rock. The scenery around Aphrodite’s rock was excellent and I was very excited to see some white rocks and turquoise sea. The beach near the famous rock is covered in tennis ball size white and light gray smooth rocks. Many couples use the rocks to write out their names and encircle them with a rock heart formation…for good luck in love. This practice is much more appealing than the toilet paper and plastic bags that people have tied to the surrounding bushes and trees which represent wishes (I think). It is pretty unfortunate to see trash tied to trees in such a pretty place. Nevertheless, I was very impressed with the natural and historical beauty surrounding Limassol and I am looking forward to exploring other parts of the island!