Posts
Due to the fact that Larnaka with its main International Airport, the Port and the Marina, plays the role of the main gate of Cyprus to the rest of the world and due to the fact that Larnaka is very near Nicosia and centrally located on the south shores of Cyprus, its road network connecting to the rest of the island is very well organized. The last important additions are now being completed aiming to serve the new Airport Terminal, the Port and the Marina, the tourist areas and the fast moving in and out of the city. These last road projects are expected to be completed by the year 2007-8.
In contradiction to the perfect conditions for the easy and efficient use of the private car, public transport is not sufficiently developed on the island. The Municipality of Larnaka in cooperation with the local bus companies and the department of transport of the Cyprus Government is seriously trying to solve the problem. Brand new buses have already been imported and all new comprehensive routes are currently under study aiming at eliminating the most serious deficiencies of the Larnaka public transport system. The intercity connections between the main cities and other important areas of the island is equally unsatisfactory and serious efforts for improvement are made by the Cyprus Tourism Organization and the Government.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The case of the ancient aqueduct of Larnaka
Cyprus is very well known for its periodic droughts and low waterfall winters causing severe scarcity of water. This characteristic has been the rule through its long history until today. The city of Larnaca was born at the beginning of the 2nd millennium B.C. as the island’s major port, due to the copper richness of the island, its geographical strategic navigation positioning in the Eastern Mediterranean and the fiord-like natural ports of the kingdom of Kition (Larnaca) at the time. At the beginning, the city’s water supply from wells was very sufficient, but the population within the city walls since Archaic Times (700-480 BC) increased tremendously. So, several methods of enriching the water supply have been used and methods for extensive underground depositing in clay – argil cisterns have been discovered by the archaeologists.
Later on, the technology of “Persian Quanats” has been imported by the city, which seem to be known since the Persian conquest of the Island on 546 BC, perhaps even before. The last part of a “Persian Quanats” channel-system has been discovered recently in the archaeological site of the ancient port of the Classical times of Larnaca (480-300 BC.). This sophisticated water supply system was obviously bringing sufficient quantities of water from secret sites outside the city walls, trying to satisfy the needs of a populous city and of a busy military and commercial port in turbulent periods when the town was facing strong enemies and long-lasting sieges. A tomb inscription of this period refer to the “Minister of the king of Kition responsible for the water supply of the kingdom”, an officialdom held by his family for six generations before him! Therefore, organized, wise, efficient and official administration of the water needs of the town can be traced even before the Archaic Period (700-480 BC).
On 45 AD Saint Barnabas and Evangelist Marcus passed by Roman period Kition and in the book “Secret Acts of Saint Barnabas” thought to be written by Saint Marcus, a detailed account of their visit in Larnaca is mentioned. A long stay for refreshing at the public aqueduct of Kition is well described. The city was then at its most populous face and the operation of public aqueducts was a mere necessity with which the Roman and later the Byzantine State policies are known to have financed and encouraged in great devotion. Archeological findings of this period in Larnaca show extensive distribution networks with clay pipes, which seem to carry water through small valleys and hills despite the general unscientific view of the Romans that such thing could not be, thus constructing sophisticated arched and leveled channels to pass aqueduct water over valleys. It seems that hydraulic wisdom in Larnaca was in practice several centuries before Pascal?
At the time that Larnaca became once again the main port and populous center of Cyprus, between the years 1746-48 AD, the Ottoman Governor of Larnaca “Bekir Pashia” claimed that he constructed a new Aqueduct for Larnaca. A 15 kilometers long aqueduct, with 7 kilometers long underground Persian Quanats initiating at river Tremithos, and with an 8 kilometer long over ground channel passing through 3 different small valleys over arched beautiful constructions, all in excellent condition until today. All these together with the surviving grain mill on the channel, comprise a great monument of the water wisdom of the area. The administration document of the water of the Bekir Pashia aqueduct is surviving too. However, a closer look at the archaeological and literal evidence indicate, that the Bekir Pashia aqueduct was an extensive reparation and renovation of pre-existing installations of the ancient aqueducts of the city, which have been also in operation through Medieval times as some literal evidence show.
Proposed actions
The 15 kilometer long aqueduct of Larnaca is today an ancient monument protected by law. The larger of its arched constructions have been maintained by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, but the other two smaller arched constructions urgently need maintenance and visiting access for tourists and locals. Maintenance and visiting access is also required for the 7 kilometer underground Persian Quanats.
The tomb inscription of the Water Minister of the Kingdom of Kition it is today at the basement of the British Museum. This historically important and unique inscription for the water history of the area should be requested by the appropriate authorities to be returned to Larnaca and comprise with the rest of the rich water distribution relics etc, now at the storehouses of the Larnaca Museum, the material for a Museum of the ancient water conservation wisdom, to operate near the surviving aqueduct of Larnaca. Such a Museum must also give to the new generations the necessary information for developing a water conservation consciousness.
The grain water mill surviving on the channel of the Bekir Pashia aqueduct is at a condition that can be put in continuous demonstrative operation. Improvement of the visiting access is also needed.
A scientific study for the dating of the several parts of the Bekir Pashia aqueduct is also needed, as it will show the continuity and sufficiency of the water supply systems of the previous eras.
The preparation of a book in English about the Larnaca experience in diachronic water supply systems as a case study for today is also recommended. Most of the material is ready and published in Greek by Alexis Michaelides and Sophocles Christodoulides and an updating and more scientific presentation of their work can be a serious document of ancient water wisdom.
Sustainability of actions
The Larnaca aqueduct is considered both by national and local authorities as an invaluable monument. However, its proper contemporary use is now confused and everything related to its existence is idle. We believe that it has a new great role to play especially in the elevating local water reservation consciousness and enriching the tourist product of Cyprus. Therefore, many government agencies and authorities will be eager to help in all above actions provided these actions are presented to them in a proper, convincing and ready for implementation, especially by international organizations and euro-med programs.
The Cyprus authorities that can get involved in helping and financing above proposed actions are:
• Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Ecology
• Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
• Ministry of Education and Culture
• Municipality of Larnaca
The British and Cyprus Museum authorities can help with providing most of the exhibits, but for sustainability of the Water History Museum and Wisdom we need the commitment and support of the Municipality and Water Board of Larnaca, which we can be easily obtained.
Financing an archeologist specialist in dating ancient aqueducts can be realized through UNESCO as such monuments are part of world heritage.
The financing of the edition can go through some of the Global Water Sustainability Organizations as it will be a case study for world heritage research in water wisdom and conservation in the area.
Larnaca 10.02.2008
Alexis Michaelides
Writer and researcher
Larnaca Deputy Mayor
Later on, the technology of “Persian Quanats” has been imported by the city, which seem to be known since the Persian conquest of the Island on 546 BC, perhaps even before. The last part of a “Persian Quanats” channel-system has been discovered recently in the archaeological site of the ancient port of the Classical times of Larnaca (480-300 BC.). This sophisticated water supply system was obviously bringing sufficient quantities of water from secret sites outside the city walls, trying to satisfy the needs of a populous city and of a busy military and commercial port in turbulent periods when the town was facing strong enemies and long-lasting sieges. A tomb inscription of this period refer to the “Minister of the king of Kition responsible for the water supply of the kingdom”, an officialdom held by his family for six generations before him! Therefore, organized, wise, efficient and official administration of the water needs of the town can be traced even before the Archaic Period (700-480 BC).
On 45 AD Saint Barnabas and Evangelist Marcus passed by Roman period Kition and in the book “Secret Acts of Saint Barnabas” thought to be written by Saint Marcus, a detailed account of their visit in Larnaca is mentioned. A long stay for refreshing at the public aqueduct of Kition is well described. The city was then at its most populous face and the operation of public aqueducts was a mere necessity with which the Roman and later the Byzantine State policies are known to have financed and encouraged in great devotion. Archeological findings of this period in Larnaca show extensive distribution networks with clay pipes, which seem to carry water through small valleys and hills despite the general unscientific view of the Romans that such thing could not be, thus constructing sophisticated arched and leveled channels to pass aqueduct water over valleys. It seems that hydraulic wisdom in Larnaca was in practice several centuries before Pascal?
At the time that Larnaca became once again the main port and populous center of Cyprus, between the years 1746-48 AD, the Ottoman Governor of Larnaca “Bekir Pashia” claimed that he constructed a new Aqueduct for Larnaca. A 15 kilometers long aqueduct, with 7 kilometers long underground Persian Quanats initiating at river Tremithos, and with an 8 kilometer long over ground channel passing through 3 different small valleys over arched beautiful constructions, all in excellent condition until today. All these together with the surviving grain mill on the channel, comprise a great monument of the water wisdom of the area. The administration document of the water of the Bekir Pashia aqueduct is surviving too. However, a closer look at the archaeological and literal evidence indicate, that the Bekir Pashia aqueduct was an extensive reparation and renovation of pre-existing installations of the ancient aqueducts of the city, which have been also in operation through Medieval times as some literal evidence show.
Proposed actions
The 15 kilometer long aqueduct of Larnaca is today an ancient monument protected by law. The larger of its arched constructions have been maintained by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, but the other two smaller arched constructions urgently need maintenance and visiting access for tourists and locals. Maintenance and visiting access is also required for the 7 kilometer underground Persian Quanats.
The tomb inscription of the Water Minister of the Kingdom of Kition it is today at the basement of the British Museum. This historically important and unique inscription for the water history of the area should be requested by the appropriate authorities to be returned to Larnaca and comprise with the rest of the rich water distribution relics etc, now at the storehouses of the Larnaca Museum, the material for a Museum of the ancient water conservation wisdom, to operate near the surviving aqueduct of Larnaca. Such a Museum must also give to the new generations the necessary information for developing a water conservation consciousness.
The grain water mill surviving on the channel of the Bekir Pashia aqueduct is at a condition that can be put in continuous demonstrative operation. Improvement of the visiting access is also needed.
A scientific study for the dating of the several parts of the Bekir Pashia aqueduct is also needed, as it will show the continuity and sufficiency of the water supply systems of the previous eras.
The preparation of a book in English about the Larnaca experience in diachronic water supply systems as a case study for today is also recommended. Most of the material is ready and published in Greek by Alexis Michaelides and Sophocles Christodoulides and an updating and more scientific presentation of their work can be a serious document of ancient water wisdom.
Sustainability of actions
The Larnaca aqueduct is considered both by national and local authorities as an invaluable monument. However, its proper contemporary use is now confused and everything related to its existence is idle. We believe that it has a new great role to play especially in the elevating local water reservation consciousness and enriching the tourist product of Cyprus. Therefore, many government agencies and authorities will be eager to help in all above actions provided these actions are presented to them in a proper, convincing and ready for implementation, especially by international organizations and euro-med programs.
The Cyprus authorities that can get involved in helping and financing above proposed actions are:
• Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Ecology
• Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
• Ministry of Education and Culture
• Municipality of Larnaca
The British and Cyprus Museum authorities can help with providing most of the exhibits, but for sustainability of the Water History Museum and Wisdom we need the commitment and support of the Municipality and Water Board of Larnaca, which we can be easily obtained.
Financing an archeologist specialist in dating ancient aqueducts can be realized through UNESCO as such monuments are part of world heritage.
The financing of the edition can go through some of the Global Water Sustainability Organizations as it will be a case study for world heritage research in water wisdom and conservation in the area.
Larnaca 10.02.2008
Alexis Michaelides
Writer and researcher
Larnaca Deputy Mayor
Friday, September 19, 2008
Road Network and Public Transport
Due to the fact that Larnaka with its main International Airport, the Port and the Marina, plays the role of the main gate of Cyprus to the rest of the world and due to the fact that Larnaka is very near Nicosia and centrally located on the south shores of Cyprus, its road network connecting to the rest of the island is very well organized. The last important additions are now being completed aiming to serve the new Airport Terminal, the Port and the Marina, the tourist areas and the fast moving in and out of the city. These last road projects are expected to be completed by the year 2007-8.
In contradiction to the perfect conditions for the easy and efficient use of the private car, public transport is not sufficiently developed on the island. The Municipality of Larnaka in cooperation with the local bus companies and the department of transport of the Cyprus Government is seriously trying to solve the problem. Brand new buses have already been imported and all new comprehensive routes are currently under study aiming at eliminating the most serious deficiencies of the Larnaka public transport system. The intercity connections between the main cities and other important areas of the island is equally unsatisfactory and serious efforts for improvement are made by the Cyprus Tourism Organization and the Government.
In contradiction to the perfect conditions for the easy and efficient use of the private car, public transport is not sufficiently developed on the island. The Municipality of Larnaka in cooperation with the local bus companies and the department of transport of the Cyprus Government is seriously trying to solve the problem. Brand new buses have already been imported and all new comprehensive routes are currently under study aiming at eliminating the most serious deficiencies of the Larnaka public transport system. The intercity connections between the main cities and other important areas of the island is equally unsatisfactory and serious efforts for improvement are made by the Cyprus Tourism Organization and the Government.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Environmental improvements "The Salt Lake"
The gifted natural environment of Cyprus is not taken for granted in Larnaka. Continuous efforts and big amounts of money are spent every year for environmental development of the urban areas. New small but organized green parks in the entire city are developed every year. Also, bigger and longer life projects around the Larnaka Salt Lake, which comprises one of the most important ecology systems on the island, are gradually implemented. A natural trail around the salt lake, which is now part of the city, is expected to be completed in the next few years, as well as a museum for its natural history and ecology will be made at the new Terminal.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The New Larnaka Airport
Larnaka hosts the main Cyprus airport and in combination with its existing Port and Marina facilities can be described as the main gate of Cyprus to the rest of the world. Although the Terminal is situated very close to the city center, the town does not experience any noise or air pollution due to the prevailing winds and the wise positioning of the installations.
Recently the Government of Cyprus signed a huge B.O.T. contract with a private company of investors for the construction and development of a new super modern Terminal and new related infrastructure to upgrade the Larnaka airport in two faces. Face 1 aims to accommodate 6 million passengers by the year 2009 and face 2 to accommodate 9 million by the year 2012. The strategic position of the airport in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East is expected to bring a lot of new business and prospects for the town.
Recently the Government of Cyprus signed a huge B.O.T. contract with a private company of investors for the construction and development of a new super modern Terminal and new related infrastructure to upgrade the Larnaka airport in two faces. Face 1 aims to accommodate 6 million passengers by the year 2009 and face 2 to accommodate 9 million by the year 2012. The strategic position of the airport in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East is expected to bring a lot of new business and prospects for the town.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Marina and Port development
The Government of Cyprus is currently studying the tender conditions for the development of the Larnaka Port and Marina under a D.B.O.T project. The Larnaka port and its adjacent Marina include 500 acres of land on the seafront extended over 2 kilometers, reclaimed by the sea during the initial construction in the early 1970’s. The agenda of the successful investors should include new hotels, holiday flats and other entertaining features and uses to be mingled with the famous palm trees esplanade, the commercial and tourist center of Larnaka.
This aggressive DBOT project requires, as well, the expansion of the Marina to about 2000 yacht births and the transformation of the Larnaka port into a new passenger and cruising center as its gates are within walking distance from the most beautiful coastal city center of the whole of the island. The combination of the Marina, the holiday and other accommodation available and to be developed, plus the other features that the contracting investors will have to improvise on the Larnaka seafront is expected to transform the city by the year 2012 into a new town resort unique in the Eastern Mediterranean. The completion of the processes and the signing of a contract with the successful consortium of investors for this project are expected to be finalized by the year 2008.
This aggressive DBOT project requires, as well, the expansion of the Marina to about 2000 yacht births and the transformation of the Larnaka port into a new passenger and cruising center as its gates are within walking distance from the most beautiful coastal city center of the whole of the island. The combination of the Marina, the holiday and other accommodation available and to be developed, plus the other features that the contracting investors will have to improvise on the Larnaka seafront is expected to transform the city by the year 2012 into a new town resort unique in the Eastern Mediterranean. The completion of the processes and the signing of a contract with the successful consortium of investors for this project are expected to be finalized by the year 2008.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
City Center rehabilitation
The Municipality of Larnaka has ready for implementation starting in the year 2006 an ambitious project for the rehabilitation of 3 traditional city squares, one of them being on the seafront and around the land side of the city’s medieval Fort. The second square is situated around the most glorious Byzantine monument of Cyprus, the Church of Saint Lazarus build on 890 AD on the original tomb of the Saint. This square is about hundred meters from the Fort. Finally the third is part of the nearby city commercial center on Hermes Street.
Besides, there are plans for the rehabilitation of 2-3 minor squares in some other traditional areas of the town as well as the rehabilitation of the sea front road at the extension of the palm trees promenade west of the Fort. The Piale Pashia Street used to be the main sea front site of the town during the 17th and 18th centuries and it is surrounding urban area is full of magic traditional architecture and fantastic traditional food. The above projects will be completed by the year 2008-9
Besides, there are plans for the rehabilitation of 2-3 minor squares in some other traditional areas of the town as well as the rehabilitation of the sea front road at the extension of the palm trees promenade west of the Fort. The Piale Pashia Street used to be the main sea front site of the town during the 17th and 18th centuries and it is surrounding urban area is full of magic traditional architecture and fantastic traditional food. The above projects will be completed by the year 2008-9
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