| The
people of Cyprus are warm, friendly and naturally hospitable, and
it is a genuine pleasure for us to welcome visitors - perhaps
because we have been doing just that for thousands of years. As
the third largest island in the Mediterranean, with its unique
proximity to Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus has been coveted, won
and lost by countless civilisations over the centuries. Since the
Mycenean Greeks settled here over 3,000 years ago establishing the
Greek civilisation on the island, we have seen Phoenicians,
Romans, Crusaders, Franks, Venetians and other conquerors who have
all left their mark here and helped to shape the island's special
character. |
Aphrodite,
mythological goddess of beauty, was born in the foam of our warm
seas, and spawned a huge cult in pagan times. Yet on those same
shores St. Paul himself was to introduce Christianity to Cyprus -
by converting the first ever Roman Governor - in 45 AD.
Cyprus is an island of great beauty and endless variety. Golden
beaches and rugged coastline are contrasted by the impressive
backdrop of unusual mountain ranges. Greek temples, Roman,
remains, Byzantine churches and Crusader castles, inspire
fascinating excursions |
