Postcard from Cyprus – The Salt Lake in Larnaca

There is a legend about the salt lake just outside Larnaca. When Lazarus asks an old woman for food and drink, she refused, claiming that her vines had dried up, to which Lazarus replied: “May your vines be dry and be a salt lake forever more.” A more scientific explanation is that the salt water penetrates the porous …

Postcard from Cyprus – Petra tou romiou

Legend has sit that it was at Petra Tou Romiou (“the Rock of the Greek”) also known as Aphrodite’s Rock, that the goddess arose from the foam. It is a rocky piillar, a sea stack in Pafos, Cyprus. “Eternal youth” is also priomised to anyone who swims around the rock, but bathing is dangerous. We didn’t test the legend. The …

Postcard from Cyprus – Byzantine Art

Cyprus is known for its Byzantine art. The finest example is the Kykkos Monastery founded in the 11th century and an immportant reference in the Orthodox world. The loggias, balconies and corridors are covered in gold-leaf mosaics and frescoes. Chypre est connu pour son art byzantin. Aujourd’hui nous avons visité le monastère de Kykkos fondé au 11ème …

Postcard from Cyprus – Salamis Ruins

I wanted blue skies, sun and interesting things to see. We’ve found them in Cyprus! These are part of the Salamis Ruins in the north of Cyprus (the Turkish part). It was the capital of Cyprus up until  the 4th century BC and contains many Roman ruins. Ayios Ephiphanios Basilica was the last basilica to be …