Sites Of Northern Cyprus
There are many parts of history that are today visible to the resident or visitor to Cyprus and many are located in Northern Cyprus, of these pieces of history are the many churches that were built centuries ago, the museums that hold pieces of the past and the castles that dot the landscape of the island.
For the resident, vacationer or tourist there are studios that the family will enjoy, these studios and galleries would be the Blue Dolphin Studio, displaying paintings by the artist and restorer John Sabry, the Diakosmos Design Gallery that is located on Paphos main road, in the Chlorakas Village, featuring an exhibition of works by Cypriot and European artists. The Galerie d'Art at Theoskepasti church square, exhibits many paintings by G. Mel, the Kristus. The Fine Art Gallery, featuring exhibits of paintings by Christos Christou, the Hawkins Art Studio, located on Ayia Zoni Street-near Latchi, featuring many books and talking books by Sheila Hawkins, as well as original paintings and drawings by artist Harry Hawkins, the Manilios Art Gallery features a large selection of modern, as well as native paintings by Cypriot and European artists, the Phidias Art Gallery located on Charalambos Philippides Street, exhibiting paintings and sculptures by Phidias Papados.
There are also many historical sites to visit on the island that are of great value and dating further in the past than many places can claim to have had on their soil and many of these historic places are located in Northern Cyprus. One of the oldest churches that is known to exist on the island and located in Northern Cyprus is from the Byzantine Empire, this church is located in Nicosia. The Chrysaliniotissa Church has been dated to have been built approximately 1450 and ordered built by Queen Helena Paleologina and was devoted to Our Lady of the Golden Flax.
For those who seek religious sites there is Ayios Herakleidios Monastery, this monastery has been dated as being built approximately in 400 AD, it was destroyed and rebuilt through the centuries until it was moved including the many frescos it contained in 1773 by the Archbishop Chrysanthos , he renovated the church as he did this he also placed the hand and skull in a silver gilt case of the Bishop of Tamassos. It was believed this bishop guided Saint Paul and Barnabas when they visited Cyprus to the monastery. The Bishop of Tamassos resided in a cave where he also preached; at the age of 60 he was martyred and buried in this cave, from which the Archbishop of Chryanthos retrieved his skull and hand that is still on display.
From the Byzantine Empire, this church and located in Nicosia, Northern Cyprus is the Chrysaliniotissa Church is to have believed to have been constructed in approximately 1450 and ordered built by Queen Helena Paleologina and was devoted to Our Lady of the Golden Flax by the Queen Helena Paleologina.
A site that is found on Cyprus is the ancient city known as the Kingdom of Idalion, some of this city is still being excavation today and is located near the village of Dhali. At this time the walls and some of the administrative buildings of this city are now visible. This city that is being unearthed holds the lore of the mythological lover of Aphrodite known as Adonis for whom Aris sent a wild boar to kill Adonis according to mythology.
The well known Sculptor Pygmalion of the distant past was also said to have called Cyprus his land and home. This is the sculptor who has been shown as carving a woman from ivory, and it was believed in lore that he fell in love with this statue. The sculptor Pygmalion gave his statue of ivory as he felt she was beautiful and pure presents. It is said he then prayed to Venus bring his statue, the woman of ivory to life. The story goes on that Venus heard the pleas of Pygmalion and that his ivory woman was brought to life and they married. During this marriage they had two children and this lore was depicted in Ovid's Metamorphoses X.
While all these sites are of historical value and educational there are also other sites that should not be missed that are for just pure fun and enjoyment for the entire family and one of these is the Aphrodite Waterpark has had more than 100,000 visitors per year with attractions such as the kiddies pools for the very young children in the family. Then there is a slow slide and also a fast slide. For other water fun there is the soak and splash. Some of their more exciting water fun is the Pirate Ship Slide, which every member of the family will enjoy, the Wet Bubble or the Mini Volcano that always are full of fun and laughter and Water Mushrooms.