click here to view Aphrodite beach

Cyprus' character is the result of a salmagundi of dominations, from the Greeks to the Egyptians; from the Persians to the Byzantines; from the Arabs to the Templars; from the Venetians to the Brits. This list of capturers, which is only indicative, set the roots for an internal division, which opposes Greek and Turkish Cypriots still today, in an island that's split into two zones, and whose peace is maintained by a UN peace keeping force. Despite the internal diatribe, the island is a touristic hit, and the reason doesn't lie in the beauty of its seaside and its beaches only, but in the "inner" scenography too, with amazing mountains and lakes, and outstanding flora and a fauna, with wild animals such as mouflons, foxes and birds, hedgehogs and turtles. There are even some species of flowers, butterflies, trees and fishes which are...cypriots.

click here to view Agia Napa Coastside

click here to view Kourion archaeological site from the beach

click here to view Protaras - countryside

The landscape invites to spirituality and, during the centuries, the summon has always been accepted. Several monasteries and churches, which are today part of the UNESCO World Heritage, were erected during the years. To start with, the Church of Our Lady of Asinou (a.k.a. Church of Our Lady Phorviotissa or Panaghia of Asinou) is a noteworthy byzantine monument, whose interior walls are covered by icons of saints and martyrs, such as St. John Chrysostom, St. Constantine, St. George and St. Helen.

click here to view Church of Our Lady of Asinou

The former one, mother of the Emperor Costantine, financed the fabrication of the Monastery of Stavros, founded in 327 AD which, along with the Kykkos Monastery (Panagia tou Kikkou) is a trinket box full of relics, coming from all around the world.

click here to view Monastery of Stavros or Holy Cross

click here to view Kykkos Monastery (Panagia tou Kykkou)

Before the arrival of monotheist religions, the island had a phalanx of deities, whose memories can be found - as an example - in the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, used between the VII century BC to the IV century AD, when the pagan cults were then suppressed by Christianity.

click here to view the Kourion archaeological site - Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis

Cyprus has some beautiful examples of ancient civilian and defensive architecture too. As for the first one, Kourion is amongst the finest archaeological sites existing in Cyprus, with impressive mosaics, and an amphitheatre that is a jewel nested inside the hill. If the Greek tragedies aren't already breathtaking enough, the panorama will for sure make anybody speechless: ergo, remember the place for a romantic evening with your beloved...

click here to view the Kourion Amphitheatre

But the right address to discover anything about the history of the island is the Kolossi Castle, which isn't only an outstanding example of Frankish architecture, but the building which hosts the Medieval Museum of Cyprus too.

click here to view the Kolossi Castle

click here to view the Medieval Museum of Cyprus

It's beautiful to stroll by the harbour of Pafos at sunset, either to admire the daylight fading away, or finding some souvenirs in the small boutiques and stalls nearby (one of the best addresses is Avenue Makarios III).

Yes, Aphrodite couldn't have chosen a better place for her origins......

click here to view the Pafos Harbour and Castle

Photography by Giuseppe Pennisi for Arounder Cyprus.
Technical Details: Canon EOS Ds Mark2, 15 mm, 360Precision Head and Manfrotto tripod.
Postpro in Photoshop CS, and REALVIZ Stitcher.

For more Cyprus panoramas visit Arounder Cyprus.

Links:
The Arounder project
Arounder Cyprus