Limassol

Limassol.

Successor to two city-kingdoms and host to a Royal Wedding in the Middle Ages, contemporary Lemesos stretches along the south coast. Proud of the spontaneous hospitality of its people, its archaeological sites, its mediaeval castles and its merry Carnival and Wine festivals, Lemesos is the island's most important tourist and wine industry centre. Hotels, restaurants and night spots abound along the beach whilst close by lie the pine-clad southern slopes of Troodos with the picturesque wine producing villages, the idyllic mountain resorts and the picturesque Pitsylia area.

LIMASSOL CASTLE - CYPRUS MEDIAEVAL, MUSEUM

Built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine castle. According to tradition Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England, here in 1191. The castle houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

LIMASSOL DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Interesting collection of antiquities found in the Limassol area from the Neolithic Age to the Roman Period.

KOLOSSI CASTLE

14 km west of Lemesos on the road to Pafos. 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. After the fall of Acre in 1291, it served as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. In the 14th century it came for a few years under the domain of the Knights Templar.

Nearby are the ruins of a sugar mill dating to the 14th century

KOURION

19 km west of Lemesos on the road to Pafos.

An important ancient city-kingdom, and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island where excavations still bring new treasures to light.

The magnificent Graeco- Roman Theatre was originally built in the 2nd century BC and is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances.

The House of Eustolios, originally a private Roman villa, became a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period. It consists of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors. The Early Christian basilica dated to the 5th century, was probably the Cathedral of Kourion with a baptistery attached to the north face.

The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum, dedicated to water nymphs. is an elegant Roman structure.

The Stadium lies 1 km to the west on the right side of the road to Pafos and is dated to the 2nd century AD.