Kourion An Ancient Kingdom Of Cyprus
The huge archaeological site of Kourion just outside Limassol in Cyprus is one of the most important historical areas on the whole Island. As well as the numerous excavations open to visitors there is also a museum on the site which houses many of the artefacts unearthed over the years. Of special interest are the skeletons of an infant and its parents who appear to have been crushed inside their own house during the great earthquake of AD 365 around dawn on the 21st of July of that year. The quake devastated a huge area of the Mediterranean and Kourion was abandoned shortly afterwards.
The city of Kourion was the centre of one of the 12 ancient kingdoms of Cyprus. Each was an independent kingdom and was self governed until the whole Island was invaded by a succession of empires the last being the Romans. At the time of its demise the city was one of the first Christian communities to flourish under Roman rule. In the preceding period the church was strongly persecuted and many believers would have been put to death because of their faith. Artefacts including early Christian symbols were unearthed at the aptly named "earthquake house" where the aforementioned skeletons were unearthed. A stone trough and the remains of a donkey that was probably tethered to it are also displayed there.
Many of the major excavations at Kourion are now under purpose built shelters so visitors can explore them in comfort even during the hot Cyprus summers. There is a small café as well as a modern visitor centre that is open all year round with site info in several languages. If you are interested in Cyprus history there are plenty of organised trips complete with tour guides who are extremely knowledgeable about the site and it's intriguing history. If you are content to just wander around Kourion there is enough there to make it a full day out. Most of the important excavations have information boards and there is a guide book on sale too.
A short walk up the road is the sanctuary of Apollon Yalatus the Mythical Greek God of the woodlands and ancient protector of Kourion. The 6000 seat stadium is also worth a visit and it is alleged that they held the famous Pentathlon right there in this very stadium all those thousands of years ago. The Kourion theatre has been renovated and plays host to many musical events during the summer months as well as theatrical productions by local companies. Imagine sitting on the very steps that the ancient citizens of Kourion would have occupied all those years ago unaware that their city would soon be razed to the ground by the violent earthquake.
Be sure to check out the large complex of Roman baths and the mosaic floors that were a feature of the Roman period. Large sections of the ancient drains and plumbing still survive today as a testament to Roman ingenuity. It is something of a paradox how such a resourceful and intelligent civilisation could at the same time be so cruel. The wealthy few would have enjoyed the best of everything whilst the masses lived in abject poverty and virtual slavery under constant threat of death. However they would have all perished together, noble and slave in the destructive fury of the Kurion earthquake.
The city of Kourion was the centre of one of the 12 ancient kingdoms of Cyprus. Each was an independent kingdom and was self governed until the whole Island was invaded by a succession of empires the last being the Romans. At the time of its demise the city was one of the first Christian communities to flourish under Roman rule. In the preceding period the church was strongly persecuted and many believers would have been put to death because of their faith. Artefacts including early Christian symbols were unearthed at the aptly named "earthquake house" where the aforementioned skeletons were unearthed. A stone trough and the remains of a donkey that was probably tethered to it are also displayed there.
Many of the major excavations at Kourion are now under purpose built shelters so visitors can explore them in comfort even during the hot Cyprus summers. There is a small café as well as a modern visitor centre that is open all year round with site info in several languages. If you are interested in Cyprus history there are plenty of organised trips complete with tour guides who are extremely knowledgeable about the site and it's intriguing history. If you are content to just wander around Kourion there is enough there to make it a full day out. Most of the important excavations have information boards and there is a guide book on sale too.
A short walk up the road is the sanctuary of Apollon Yalatus the Mythical Greek God of the woodlands and ancient protector of Kourion. The 6000 seat stadium is also worth a visit and it is alleged that they held the famous Pentathlon right there in this very stadium all those thousands of years ago. The Kourion theatre has been renovated and plays host to many musical events during the summer months as well as theatrical productions by local companies. Imagine sitting on the very steps that the ancient citizens of Kourion would have occupied all those years ago unaware that their city would soon be razed to the ground by the violent earthquake.
Be sure to check out the large complex of Roman baths and the mosaic floors that were a feature of the Roman period. Large sections of the ancient drains and plumbing still survive today as a testament to Roman ingenuity. It is something of a paradox how such a resourceful and intelligent civilisation could at the same time be so cruel. The wealthy few would have enjoyed the best of everything whilst the masses lived in abject poverty and virtual slavery under constant threat of death. However they would have all perished together, noble and slave in the destructive fury of the Kurion earthquake.