Nick Sanna

The Achna Dam was built in 1988. It serves two main purposes for the community: store water and acts as irrigation during times of drought. The Water Development Department is in charge of all dam-related issues.

The area around the dam supports the growth of a wide variety of plants. In response, the area has been designated a Special Protection Zone as of March 2008.

A popular yearly event for visitors is bird watching in the fall. At that time birds from Europe travel south to Africa for the season. It’s the natural beauty of the area that keeps visitors coming back.

Video of the Dam and Reservoir

Achna Dam and Reservoir Map

The Achaios Shipwreck is one of the most interesting maritime wreck sites to see in Cyprus. The ship dates all the way back to 1932 when at the time it was named Mav Achaios.

There is an interesting story attached to the ship. It belonged to the Akarnania Maritime Company. The ship was transporting wood from Yugoslavia to Jeddah in South Africa.

Unfortunately, a storm swept through and sunk the ship. All of the crew onboard made it off the derelict vessel.

Since the depth of the sea where it beached is only 7 meters, the ship’s rusting hull sticks out of the water to this day. It’s a rare sight anywhere around the world.

The shipwreck is located off the shore near Akrotiri, Limassol.

Video of the Achaios Shipwreck

Akrotiri Shipwreck Map

The Academy Picnic site is located 6 km from the center of Nicosia in the National Forest Park of the Pedagogical Academy.

The picnic site sits at 140 meters and is rated for a max of 300 users.

It’s a good place to spend a day, getting immersed in nature is always sure to make for a good time.

Rules of the Forest Department Picnic Sites

Visitors to the picnic and camping sites should comply with certain basic rules of conduct to ensure that minimum damage is caused to the environment and also that the comfort of other visitors is not disrupted. The most important of these rules are the following:

• The lighting of fire is allowed only in the barbecues provided. At certain picnic sites, like those at Asinou and Athalassa, no fire lighting is allowed.
• Before you leave the site make sure that the embers have entirely died down even if you have stored them in places which may have been designed especially for this purpose.
• The use of wood which is found in the forest for the lighting of fire and the cooking of food is not allowed. Every visitor should bring with him the necessary quantity of coals.
• Keep the place clean. Pick all the garbage which has resulted from the recreation of your group and put them in garbage bins or if they are full take the garbage with you. Do not leave it in plastic bags out because it is usually scattered by stray dogs, foxes etc.
• Do not create too much commotion with unnecessary noise, respect the other persons’ right to tranquility.
• Cutting plants, carving barks of trees and tampering with birds’ nests damage the environment and are prohibited by the forest legislation.
• Park your car at the parking places and not next to the tables.
• Use the water sparingly. Do not waste it.
• Urge other visitors also to observe the basic rules of conduct.
• If you notice a fire call immediately emergency number 1407 (24 hours free of charge).

Rules from the Cyprus Department of Forests website.

Map of the Academy Picnic Site

The A.G. Leventis Botanical Gardens in Troodos National Park was created in 2004. Since then it has continued to expand. The garden currently has over 250 types of plants, and they plan to have more than 500 plants in the near future.

The purpose of the Troodos botanical gardens is promoting conservation and educating the public about Cypriot botanical heritage, focusing on the Troodos native flora. The A.G. Leventis Botanical Gardens aims to be a research, educational and recreational platform while showing the reclamation of an asbestos mine.

It’s a well-kept, state of the art location, with a wealth of information for visitors.

In addition to the gardens, the site also features:

• A mine restoration facility
• Arboretum
• telescopes
• Electronic resources
• An education center

It’s a great place learn about the plants of the Mediterranean region and the world.

A.G. Leventis Botanical Garden Video

Map of the A.G. Leventis Botanical Garden

At 4,530 feet (1,380 meters), Prodromos village is the highest settlement on the island of Cyprus. It is located deep in the Troodos mountain range on the border between the Nicosia and Limassol districts.

The highest mountain in Cyprus, Mount Olympus, is very close by and the small village (123 inhabitants as of 2011) is used by visitors for accommodations.

Video of Prodromos Village

The following video show with a drone focuses on the prominent Veregaria Hotel which is abandoned but allows you to see the surrounding mountains of the village.

Map of Prodromos Village

While the castle, also known as Lemesos Castle, dates back to the Middle Ages, archaeologists have found it was built on top of even older structures.

History of the Castle

The earliest known use of the site was a Christian basilica built sometime between the 4th and 7th centuries. Archaeologists have also found a Middle Byzantine monument dating back to the 10th or 11th centuries, and they have also found remnants of what might have been the oldest cathedral or major church in Limassol.

The Lusignan Era

Guy de Lusignan (1150 – 1194), who was the king of Cyprus, built the first part of the castle proper in 1193. At the time, Cyprus was often targeted by the Crusaders. Over the next few centuries, earthquakes and attacks by the Mamelukes and Genoese damaged the castle, which underwent some repairs and reconstructions until sometime in the 16th century.

The Lusignan dynasty ruled Cyprus for nearly 300 years until Queen Catherine abdicated in favor of the Republic of Venice in 1489. The Venetians then ruled Cyprus until they were conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

The Castle under Ottoman Rule

The Ottoman Empire attacked and seized control of Limassol and its castle in 1538. After recapturing the castle, the Venetian governor of Cyprus decided to demolish it to keep it out of enemy hands. The demolition was completed by 1567 or 1568. In 1576, the Ottoman Empire conquered Cyprus, and they decided to incorporate the castle’s remains in their new fort. The construction of that fort was completed around 1590. The first floor and underground chamber were used as prison cells until 1950.

Later Uses

Cyprus remained a possession of the Ottoman Empire until 1878 when it fell to the British. The island did not gain its independence until 1960. The British used the castle as a prison and police station.

After the central prisons were transferred to Cyprus’ capital Lefkosia, the castle was ceded to the Department of Antiquities that uses it as the District Museum. Since 1987, the Department of Antiquities has used the fort to house the Cyprus Medieval Museum, which contains artifacts from the 3rd to the 18th centuries.

Legend holds that Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre at this site in 1191 and crowned her Queen of England.

The Cyprus Medieval Museum

Despite its name, the Museum includes artifacts that span 1500 years. The museum divides them into four periods: Early Byzantine (324-650), Dark Ages (650-1192), Middle Ages (1192-1570), and Ottoman (1570 – 1878). The Early Byzantine includes works by the early Christians and from the Roman Empire. Mosiacs and marble sculptures are among the artworks from this era.

During the Dark Ages, Cyprus was plagued by Arab raids. Some of the art from this period shows an Arabic flavor, like pottery with Arab inscriptions. The museum also includes examples of architecture and metalwork from this era. People began to replace the early basilicas with temples that had vaults or domes. Frescoes decorated many of the temples.

During the Middle Ages, Cyprus was ruled by the French and various other European factions. Artifacts from this era include tombstones from the 13th and 14th centuries. The museum also houses an extensive pottery collection, plus multiple tools, vases, jewelry, and sacred utensils. During this period, potters developed glazing techniques.

Artifacts from the Ottoman period include weapons and armor.

Castle Video

Map of the Castle

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