About Cyprus

History Guide

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, lying just south of Turkey.  It has been divided into two separate parts since 1974, with Turkey occupying the North while the Republic belongs to Greece.  They are separated by the Green Line which cuts through the country’s capital, Nicosia.

Cyprus’ history is said to go back nearly 10,000 years.  It has been the site of much conflict since ancient times, with occupations by the Mycenaeans, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Assyrians and Persians before Alexander the Great and then Ptolemy ruled for awhile.  It was taken over by the Roman Empire in 58BC and stayed that way until the 7th century when Byzantine and Islamic empires began conquests.

In ever so slightly more recent times, the Venetians took over from the Templars and Guy de Lusignan in 1489.  The Ottoman Empire then invaded and kept control of the country for 300 years before it was handed over to Britain.  Cyprus finally got its independence in 1959, but only lasted 15 years before Turkey landed and took control of 40% of the country.

From the perspective of mythological history, the island is said to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.  The legend goes that around 1200 BC, she emerged from the gentle sea foam around the Petra tou Romiou, a boulder that juts from the sea off the coast of Paphos.  The resulting reputation as the island of love has made Cyprus a popular spot for honeymoons and weddings.

Naturally, this diverse history has made for a rich culture and fascinating destination to explore.  The landscape of the island is made up of mountainous regions with valleys and plains inland, and stunning sandy beaches around the coastline.  It boasts a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites and the entire country is scattered with ruins, relics, monuments, royal tombs and ancient monasteries and castles.