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Larnaca is the oldest surviving city in Cyprus and used to be known as Kittium, or Kition. According to legend, the city was founded by Khittim, a grandson of Noah's. Most other cities in Cyprus have been abandoned by their people at one time or other throughout history, but Larnaca has maintained a population for 6000 years, and has continued to exist on the same site. The modern city as we know it was first established by the Mycenean Greeks, making it both a prosperous port and an important centre for the copper trade. Remains from this period are visible today in the form of walls and temples. The period of most importance however is the Byzantine period of the 9th century AD. It was during this time that most of the towns most important monuments and basilicas were built. The British arrived here in 1878 and ruled the island of Cyprus until 1960. When Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, the Turkish army forced about 200.000 Northern Cypriots out of their homes and Larnaca took in roughly 40,000 refugees; adding considerably to its population. The city has seen its fair share of visitors down through the years. They came in many different guises; invaders, traders, conquerors and tourists. Today it is estimated that three million travelers pass through the city each year. |