During ancient times, this city was named Kition or Khittim. The recent name Larnaca was probably derived from the word “larnax”, which means sarcophagus. A large number of sarcophagus were found around the area. Larnaca has always been an attraction for foreigners and visitors. Many came as colonialists, like the Mycenaeans, others, like the Phoenicians from the nearby Lebanon as traders and furthermore the Persians, Romans, Arabs, Lusignans, Venetians and Turks as aggressors and in the end conquerors.
In this city in the year 326 BC the Philosopher Zeno, founder of the Stoic School in Athens, was born. It was also here, where Lazaros spent his second life. After he was resurrected by Jesus, he came to Larnaca and was named the first Bishop of Kition. In his honour the Church of Agios Lazaros was built and still nowadays he remains the local Patron of the City.
After the construction of the International Airport and the Yacht-Harbour, Larnaca developed itself more and more into a lively town. The small streets in the picturesque old city are filled with shops and many tavernas can be found along the seafront with its Palm-Tree-Promenade. The long sandy beach, with its modern hotels, the restaurants, bars and watersport facilities remind a little bit of the Côte-d’Azur and offer tourists a relaxing and variable holiday. As home of the island’s main International Airport, Larnaca offers many visitors their first taste of Cyprus. One of the first sights is the beautiful salt lake, home in the cooler months to colonies of graceful flamingos and other migratory birds. Beside the lake, in a tranquil setting crowned by lush palms, is the Hala Sultan Teke, built to the memory of Prophet Mohammed’s aunt.
Larnaca’s District Archaeological Museum and the Pierides Foundation Museum exhibit particularly interesting antiquities. Also of interest is the Church of Ayia Faneromeni, built over a rock cave dating from the 8th century BC and the 18th century aquaduct on the outskirts of the town. |
Kamares, An ancient
aqueduct
Church of St.
Lazaros
