Postcards From Cyprus
‘Postcards From Cyprus’ has appeared in July 2018 issue of Smart Photography – India’s leading photography magazine.
From this issue onwards, we are replacing our ‘Travelogue’ section with ‘Postcards’. This section will showcase a destination in the form of a photo-essay. The first in the series brings to you the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
About Cyprus
For most Indians, Cyprus is a largely undiscovered destination. In fact, if asked which continent it is in, the answers would be an almost equal divide between Asia and Europe. That is because this little dot on the map is just south of Turkey and just west of Lebanon. Well, let’s set the record straight – it is in Europe and is one of the newest members of the EU (European Union).
Furthermore, Cyprus being an island, the images it may conjure up are of beautiful beaches and party hangouts. While that would not be wrong, Cyprus has a lot more on offer.
The island has evidence of community living between the 5th and the 7th Millennium BCE. It has sites dating back to 1200-BCE where, during excavations, the advanced art of Mosaic has been discovered. It also has Byzantine and post-Byzantine painted churches – the murals in these churches display similar techniques to those found in Western Christian paintings. All these sites have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Cyprus is replete with both scenic beauty and advanced infrastructure. As a nation, it takes pride in upholding its traditional cultural practices. It also houses the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite – the Greek goddess of love.
Discover all this and more in the photo essay – Postcards from Cyprus. If you are reading this online, do re-post and share across your social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #PostcardsFromCyprus
Postcards from Cyprus Set #1
Paphos Archaeological Park (a.k.a. Kato Pafos Archaeological Park) is a UNESCO-inscribed site that contains a major part of the important ancient Greek and Roman city and is located in Paphos, southwest Cyprus. The park, still under excavation, is within the Nea Pafos (New Paphos) section of the coastal city. A picturesque lighthouse forms the backdrop to this under-excavation site.
While they embrace modernism, Cypriots take pride in their age-old traditions – be it in the way they conduct themselves, or the way they cook. Here’s a tempting array of traditionally-baked bread and Flaouna (a typical pastry they bake for Easter) ready to be served.
The jagged rock on far left is considered to be the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite – the goddess of love and beauty. Legend has it that if you circle around this rock 10 times, you’ll never age!
A sculpted manifestation of Aphrodite installed in a restaurant near Aphrodite’s birthplace.
This stunning mosaic of Aphrodite – the goddess of love and beauty – was excavated from the archaeological site of Palaipafos. It is now exhibited in Sanctuary’s museum.
The archaeological site of Palaipafos (Old Paphos) is located in Kouklia Village – just 14-km from Paphos city. It is popularly known as the Sanctuary or Temple of Aphrodite. It is also a part of the Paphos UNESCO World Heritage site. Its ancient remains date back to the 12th century BCE, whilst it remained a place of worship until the 3rd – 4th centuries CE.
Check out another European Destination (Prague) in 35 awesome images HERE
Postcards from Cyprus Set #2
Built in 11th Century CE, Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis (St. Nicholas of the Roof) is one of the 10 painted Byzantine churches in Troodos Mountains of Cyprus that have jointly been inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. 9 of these churches (including this one) are in Nicosia, while one is in Limassol.
Painted dome of Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis (St. Nicholas of the Roof). This Byzantine church is located in Kakopetria, Cyprus.
The Church of Saint Lazarus is a late-9th-century church in Larnaca, Cyprus. It belongs to the Church of Cyprus, an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church. It has been named after New Testament figure Lazarus of Bethany, the subject of a miracle recounted in the Gospel of John, in which Jesus raises him from the dead.
This charming Medieval Greek Orthodox Monastery stands in the middle of the coastal town of Ayia Napa. It was built in the form of a Medieval Castle around 1500 AD. The monastery is partially built underground by cutting into the rock and is surrounded by a high wall.
The magnificent Lefkara Church is dedicated to the Holy Cross and dates back to the 14th century. Confirmation of this date comes from the metrical “Olivianos’ inscription, which appears at the bottom of the Lefkara Golden Cross.
The painted dome of the Church of the Holy Cross, Lefkara.
Interested in more UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Hoof it to ‘HERITAGE UNPLUGGED’
Postcards from Cyprus Set #3
Choirokoitia is an archaeological site on the island of Cyprus dating back to the Neolithic age (7th to 5th millennium BCE). It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1998. To make this pre-historic site more comprehensible to the visitors, reconstruction of five houses and a section of the defence wall have been erected off-site at Choirokoitia. This reconstruction is based on the excavation evidence.
The amphitheatre of Kourion was built over 2000 years ago. It utilises the slope of a hill to take the weight of the audience. Such architectural arrangement is typical of most Hellenistic theatres in the Mediterranean region. It is also a part of a UNESCO-inscribed site in Paphos.
The mosaic decorations and the mythological compositions of House of Dionysus – part of a UNESCO-inscribed site in Paphos – are the main characteristics of this restored 2nd-century Roman villa; and the name “House of Dionysus” is mainly due to the many representations of Dionysus, the god of wine.
A traditional olive oil press that has been in use for over 200 years. Notice the wooden beam on top? That has served for over two centuries.
Nissi Beach at Ayia Napa is currently one of the least crowded beaches along the Mediterranean Coast. That by itself is a rarity! Add to that the fact that Cyprus has the vision to turn it into the most popular beach in Europe by 2030, and you have a reason to visit it before that happens! Are you tempted?
The Published Article
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Lovely photos. I loved the architecture that you have captured so beautifully.
Thanks a lot, Ansh! Glad you liked the images!
Absolutely stunning shots. At some places, I see simplicity and at some, history. What a beautiful collection.
Thanks, Parul! I had attempted to capture the essence of the destination. I am glad you’ve liked that!