Cyprus - My 7 day circuit across the country - Day 5 morning (cont.) - Southern Cyprus - Kolossi - the Medieval Castle - the 9th of November 2016

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Considered as the best preserved Medieval Castle in Cyprus Kolossi Castle was initially built by the knights of the Order of Jerusalem in 1210 so as to be used as the Grand Master's headquarters, though its present shape dates to 1454 thanks to Louis de Magnac.


Laid out on a square plan the three-storey structure did have quite an interestingly carved machicolation above the gate, which allowed the pouring of boiling water, oil or any other melted tar over the attackers, despite the fact that it was primarily a residence and the headquarters for the Order rather than any form of defence of the kingdom type of stronghold. 

On the Eastern side one could see the escutcheons of the Kingdom of Lusignan, Magnac and the Grand Masters of the Order.



On the ground floor we came across three rooms roofed by pointed barrel vaults, believed to have been used as storage rooms.

As we moved onto one of the two rooms on the first floor a wall painting, probably dating from the 15th century depicting the Crucification called the visitors' attention, indicating that it was possibly used as a place of worship. 

The second floor equally divided in two rooms, each of which with a fireplace with the coat of arms of the Magnac Dinasty, with its characteristic fleur-de-lily in bas relief.

Several of us walked up onto the flat roof surrounded by battlements via a narrow staircase. It is possible it was used to supervise the work in the plantations and vineyards but spot enemy ships as well. From it we could see the large vaulted stone building, the once Sugar Refinary, looking seemingly bigger than the first photo I had taken of it upon walking into the Castle premises. 

I did enjoy this visit particularly ...

    (To be continued)

Cyprus - My 7 day circuit across the country - Day 5 morning - Southern Cyprus -The Neolithic village of Khirokitia (UNESCO) - The 9th of November 2016

We drove to the Neolithic village of Khirokitia, whose site and first excavations were conducted from 1936 through to the ten subsequent years in what proved to have led to a better perspective of what Pre-Historic Cyprus was like and especially this secure type of settlement.

Several placards spread around the site provided some information though it was once more the valuable contribution of Michel that gave us a better insight on such a small village community life spread in clustered stone circles of huts, the way they seem to have later expanded uphill, the complex engineering to control the access to the village and the stone enclosures themselves constructed in a "beehive cell" way.

The villagers cultivated wheat and barley, the grain being ground in special stone blocks over cylindrical stones moved back and forth so as to crush the seeds ("saddle quern" to be seen in the picture underneath). It is also known they hunted and raised domestic stock. There is no idea though as to which religion they followed. The dead were buried in  crouched position in shallow pit-like structures in the floors of their own huts (image to be found underneath). 

It was quite an interesting visit though I must confess this type of remains don't touch me as much as other types of civilization representations.

(To be continued)

Cyprus - My 7 day circuit across the country - Day 4 late afternoon - South Nicosia - strolling around the popular Laiki Geitoni city district - The 8th of November 2016

Before having been given some free time down town we strolled around the Laiki Geitoni (Popular Neighbourhood), this time under the guidance of Androulla. This pedestrianized area of the city is clustered within a rather small area of narrow, winding alleys, which reminded me of some parts of Lisbon, had it not been for the odd palm trees and the fairly colourful painted houses.

We noticed many of the houses had been recently restored and quite a few craft worshops occupied some of the non-yet restored buildings.

We came across very few people, in fact the one lady we met and briefly spoke to was a foreign emigrant, but the whole strolling with no specific direction was really worth it, especially in architectural terms.

One of the most magic moments was the brief stop over at a small church with magnificent icons.