Limassol (Lemesos)
Limassol is the second-largest town in Cyprus and the island's main port. Its modern harbour is constantly being expanded to meet the demands of trade and passenger traffic. Limassol is also the centre of the wine industry in Cyprus; most of the vines used grow on the slopes of the Troodos Mountains. In September the town has a wine festival, during which wine and food are served free. At Carnival, held at the start of Lent, the town bursts into celebration with bands, gaily decorated floats and dancing. Limassol is Cyprus'main tourist centre, with facilities such as the public tourist beach at Dhassoudi, backed by cafés and changing rooms. There is also a museum and public gardens with a small zoo and the castle.
Excursions: There are many places of historic and archaeological interest in and around Limassol. Amathus, 11km (7 miles) east of Limassol, was once the capital of a city-kingdom, but is now in ruins, partly covered by the sea. The Acropolis, Necropolis and the remains of an early Christian basilica can still be seen, as well as the new excavations in the lower part of the town. Further east lies the Ayios Georgios Alamanos nunnery and to the west is Kolossi Castle, headquarters of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. Curium has a superb Graeco-Roman theatre where concerts and Shakespeare's plays are performed in summer. The town has many sites of interest including the House of Eustolios, in which there are some beautiful mosaics; the Sanctuary of Apollo Yletis; the Stadium; the Acropolis with the ruins of the Forum; the Christian Basilica and many public buildings. To the south is the Lady's Mile Beach and Akrotiri Salt Lake, winter home of thousands of flamingoes. Limassol is also a good starting point for an excursion into the Troodos Mountains (see Excursions in Nicosia (Lefkosia) above). Water Mania at Phasouri, 10km (6.2 miles) west of Limassol, has a wave pool, body- and giant-aquatube slides.
|
Country
