City of Kourion, an UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the top of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean are the remains of the Kourion ancient city. They are undoubtedly a Romans testament to the sophistication with the underfloor heating system, their beautiful mosaics, and their excellent acoustics understanding. In fact, the 2nd-century theatre of these Cypriot ruins is precisely one of the tourism jewels in Cyprus crown. Arranged on the top of a cliff, the sound of the waves below is barely perceptible, and it is possible to hear what is whispering above the stage with total clarity.

The mythical foundation of the city is attributed to Curieus, son of Ciniras. He is mentioned as the first place facing Rhodes on the west coast of Cyprus, adding that it was near a promontory from which people who touched the altar of Apollo were thrown. The kingdom of Kourion was founded between 1050 and 750 BC. suffered multiple invasions Like the whole island of Cyprus: Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines disputed their territory.

After innumerable battles and wars, the Romans rebuilt it at the end of the 1st century. They added the sacred road, the circular monument, the temple, the arena, and later, the baths and the south portico. The great theatre, whose seats rested on the hill, and which has been beautifully restored, held 3,500 spectators. Throughout the year, this theatre hosts different concerts and plays, including the annual Shakespearean text performance, which has taken place every June since 1961.

The House of Achilles is built around a peristyle and contains two beautiful mosaics dedicated to Achille and another depicting the abduction of Ganymede. The House of Gladiators contains several beautiful mosaics depicting ancient fights. The Forum, the centre of public life, has the usual look with its porticoes and shops. It gives access to a large nymphaeum surrounded by public baths.

After the 4th century earthquake that destroyed the city, these buildings were reused. Under the bath’s foundations, we find a Greek pyramidal structure made up of huge blocks of stone. There is another 6000-seat athletics stadium, 217 m long and 17 m wide. The city was fed by two aqueducts 11 and 20 km long.

Later, three Christian basilicas were built, one of which is near the sea. Cyprus concentrates on its territory quiet deep blue beaches, cedar forests, mountains where you can even ski, vineyards to taste the oldest wine in the world and a good handful of archaeological remains. In addition to the advantages and beauty that nature gave it, some of the best-known facts or myths of all time also took place on this island. It currently has three places declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, all of them of a cultural nature.

In addition, it has two intangible cultural assets on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.