CYPRUS
TOURISM
: TROODOS
- FAMAGUSTA - AGIA NAPA
The Troodos mountain range presents
another side of Cyprus. It lies in the middle of Western Cyprus. The
drinking-water comes from here and in the winter it is even possible to
ski here. The entire area offers a lot of beautiful natural landscapes,
little mountain villages, cool mountain rivers and several monasteries
and health resorts with comfortable hotels.
The best way to start an excursion is
from the city of Platres which lies at an altitude 
of 1127 m. Other
excursion possibilities are : the Caledonian waterfalls, the village of
Phini, the monastery of Throodhitissa. The village of Troodos lies
beneath the top of Mount Olympus, with its 1951 m the highest peak in
Cyprus. Troodos is the place to be for winter sports. Close by, an worth
a visit, is the splendid village of Kakopetria. The most important
monastery is the one in Kykko, a pilgrimage destination for the
Cypriotes, because there is an important icon of the virgin Mary here.
According to legend, the icon was painted by the evangelist Luke
himself. Pilgrims pray to the icon to obtain rain. The church of the 
monastery shines with gold and silver. Kykko was also the center of the
political activists in the 1950's. Not far from here is the tomb of
archbishop Makarios III, who lies buried in a cave.
The city of
Famagusta (also known as Ammochostos) lies in the sunny
south-eastern part of Cyprus. With its splendid golden sandy beaches it
is a paradise for lovers of the sun. The entire area is known as
"the garden of Cyprus". The typical Cypriote potato which
comes from here is very well known in Western Europe.
The small seaside resort Agia
Napa, once a tiny fishermen village, offers beautiful
beaches, nice restaurants, a vibrant night-life and lots of shopping
possibilities. The tourist life is concentrated around the little harbor
where colorful fisher boats bring in the daily fresh fish for the
surrounding taverns and restaurants. In a small museum one gets a better
view sea-life around the island. The nice monastery in the center has a
beautiful courtyard and was built by the Venetians.
