Panayia Chrysopolitissa

Its foundation goes back in the Byzantine times, when a source of the Kition Bishopric mentions its existence in the 12th and 13th centuries. Writings from the archives of the Greek College of Rome confirm that the church had this name in 1638. In 1765 the church is destroyed and was rebuild in its present form in 1768. In 1851 was renovated again and also acquired the present wood engraved, but gold surfaced iconostas. Many of the icons are 16th and 17th century as most of its ecclesiastical furnishing. Situated at the corner of Archie Bishop Kyprianou and Crysopolitissas streets, on a hill that used to be the prehistoric cemetery of the ancient town (12-13th centuries BC). Chrysopolitissa stone church is devoted to Virgin Mary of the “golden-town”, because the prehistoric and rich tombs on this hill were full of gold jewelry and this quarter was known in medieval times as “gold-town” or Chryssopolis. Its elegant bell-tower, recently restored, is of the 19th century.

Church of the Savior

The Metropolitan church of Larnaka was first founded in 1460. In the 1760’s
the Bishopric of Kition was moved here and the church was renovated in 1854. The nicely wood engraved Bishopric throne is of 1783. An icon of Mary with the Child, in Latin style, painted in the 1870’s by Cypriot national poet Vasilis Michaelides, is kept in the church. In the mid 20th century a new building was made to house the Bishop of Kition. From Medieval times till 1973 the Bishop of Kition administered Larnaka and Limassol, as well. The church is at Metropolis Square on Nikodemou Mylona Street.

St. John’s (the old Bishopric)

The church is known to have existed during the Frankish period (13-16th centuries AD). It served as the town’s Bishopric till the middle of the18th century. The present church was built in 1715 and renovations took place in 1853. It is well known for its elegant and unique bell tower, which was reconstructed in the 19th century and it is one of the most artistic on the island. The wood engraved iconostas is of 18th century.

Saint George (Kontos)

The present church and convent of Saint George Kontos is of 1833, but historical sources mention that the church existed at the spot since the 15th century. Some of the icons of the church are dated in 1685 and 1695 confirming the fact that the church existed in the 17th century. The surrounding structures are of 1922 and the monument at the entrance is in honor of the historic Mayor of Larnaka and Member of the Colonial Parliament Dr. Philios Zanettos, who died in exile imposed by the British in 1924. A new church opposite the old was built in 1987 at the exit of Larnaka in the direction of Nicosia.

Saint George Makris

This delegate miniature piece of late Byzantine architecture is probably of the 12thCentury. It is built on a hill along the Phaneromeni Avenue and is the church of
medieval village Agrinou. The village and the church were destroyed by the
Egyptian Mameluks, who invaded in 1426 and also captured the Luzignian King Janos,. The church was soon repaired, the king was let free, but an annual tax was paid to the Mameluks till the Ottoman occupation. In the 18th – 19th centuries the church served as a monastery, but the annexed structures were demolished in the 20th century thus restoring the original setting of the picturesque church. A wall painting of the Saint survives till now on the north wall.

Saint Lazarus

This stone build church, in the center of Larnaca (St. Lazaros Square), is the most important surviving Byzantine monument of the whole of Cyprus. It was built in 890 by Byzantine Emperor Leo VI, the Wise, on the resting place of St. Lazarus the resurrected friend of Christ. St. Lazarus arrived in ancient Kition on 33 AD becoming its first Bishop and Patron Saint. His tomb lies under the sanctuary and can be visited. In Frankish times 13-16th centuries) a stone build covered shed (stoa) of Gothic style was added on its south side. The 3 imposing domes of this Orthodox Basilica Church were destroyed with the original bell-tower probably in the first years of the Ottoman rule (1571 AD), but the bell-tower was rebuild in a different style in 1857 and after the Ottomans allowed bell towers on Cyprus churches again. In Frankish times the Church belonged to the Catholics, but in 1589 the Ottomans sold it back to the Orthodox, as they had no intension of turning it into a Mosque because of its Christian cemetery. The brilliant Byzantine art of the icons and the unique baroque woodcarving of the golden surfaced iconostas were completed in 1782. Icon painter Hadjimicael completed the iconography of the iconostas in 1797. Some furniture in woodcarving and some icons on the walls are of the 17th century.

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.