On the island of Cyprus, the second biggest city is Limassol, located on Akrotiri Bay, on the southern coast.
Limassol was constructed between two antique cities, Amathus and Kourion, and during the Byzantine
domination it was known as Neapolis (new town). Limassol is the largest Cypriot port in the Mediterranean
transit trade, as well as one of the most important centres for tourism of the area. Limassol is famous for its
long cultural tradition and hosts the Cyprus University of Technology. A wide range of activities, a number
of museums and archaeological sites are available to the interested visitors. Therefore, Limassol draws
several tourists mainly during the summer season to be accommodated in a large variety of hotels and self
catering apartments.
The development of tourism in Limassol started after 1974 when the Turkish invaders occupied Famagusta
and Kyrenia, the major holiday resorts in Cyprus. Limassol offers a lot of beaches, ideal for sunbathing and
swimming. A bathing beach with all the necessary services, supplied by the "Cyprus Tourism Organisation",
is operating in ?Dasoudi? area, in the town of Limassol.
Many wine's companies of Cyprus are located in Limassol and produce the wines with grapes growing in
the hills of the Troodos Mountains. KEO, LOEL, SODAP and ETKO are some of the most important wine's
companies: the wines and cognacs here produced are of excellent quality, they have won numerous
rewards in international exhibitions, they are considerably consumed by locals and foreign visitors; and
they are exported in big quantities to Europe.
Other industries are situated in Limassol, which is considered the biggest industrial centre of the province:
the main products are clothes, furniture, shoes, food, metal goods, electric devices, and plastic wares.
Limassol is also an important commercial centre of Cyprus. The commercial markets are located in the
centre of the town and in the tourist area alongside the coast that starts from the old harbour and ends
in Amathus area. Most of the hotels, restaurants, discos and places of entertainment in general, are also
situated in this area.
Limassol has two ports, normally called the "old port" and the "new port". The new port hosts the most
of commercial and passenger traffic and it is the biggest port. This harbour is eleven metres deep and has
a dock 1300 metres long. It is can receive about ten ships depending on their size. The old harbour has a
small jetty (only 250 metres long) and it can only receive three little ships per time. Therefore, it is generally
used by fishing boats. The grapes, wines, carobs, citrus fruits are exported form these ports, while cereals,
vehicles, machines, textiles, fertilizers, and iron are imported from.
A new marina has been begun, between the old and new port, and at its completion it will have berths for
1000 yachts. The Marina also has a plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as properties for sale
built in a style that mixes with the maritime's history of the city, the historic centre and the medieval castle.
The medieval castle is one of the nine castles of Cyprus and it was built by the Byzantines in the 10th
century. In the same period, was built also a chapel, where Richard the Lionheart supposed to marry his
fianc?e Princess Berengaria of Navarre. Between 1790 and 1940, the Castle was used as a prison and now
it is a medieval museum. The museum conserves several findings from 400 until 1870 AD: cannons, wood
carvings of the 17th and 18th century, paintings, statues, coins, terracotta, metal wares, pottery, and glass.
Another interesting spot to visit is the Archaeological Museum, which conserves antiquities found in the
district of Limassol, dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period. Some of the archaeological finds
are: stone axes of the Neolithic period, potteries and objects of the antique cities of Curium and Amathus,
as well as Roman terracotta, gold jewellery, coins, sculptures, columns, vases, and marble statues.
The Folk Art Museum is located in a wonderfully conserved old house and provides a very fascinating
collection of Cypriot Folk Art of the last two centuries. Some of the most charming objects of the collection
are: national costumes, needlework, wooden chests, waistcoats, men's jackets, necklaces, town costumes,
and country tools. The museum was established in 1985 and it hosts more than 500 exhibits in its six
rooms.
On the costal road, is situated the Public Garden, rich of a variety of vegetation: eucalyptus trees, pine trees
and cypresses. The citizens of Limassol and many visitors can walk around and enjoy themselves in this
gorgeous environment. Inside the garden, there is a small zoo, where there are deer, ostriches, pheasants,
tigers, lions, monkeys, pelicans and other kinds of animals and birds. Not far from the zoo, are located the
small natural history museum and the garden theatre, which hosts famous international groups.
Limassol is famous in Cyprus for its festivals, such as the Carnival and Wine Festival. The Limassol Carnival
festival lasts for ten days, with jolly and funny masquerading. This tradition is very old and linked to
pagan rituals. The festival begins with the entrance parade of the King Carnival, followed by a fancy-dress
competition for children. Many fancy-dress balls and parties take place in different spots every night.
The great Wine Festival of Cyprus is held during the first quarter of September, in the Limassol Municipal
Garden. The visitors have the chance to taste for free some of the best wines of the island. Various local
and international groups perform folk dances, during the Festival.
Author Resource:
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