Amathus Archaeological Site

The ancient city of Amathus is located on the Southern shores of Cyprus, approximately 7 km away from the town of Limassol. In the surrounding area of the ancient city traces of human presence dating back to the Neolithic period have been discovered. For the city of Amathus itself it is unclear as to when it was exactly founded.

For the visitor it is a great opportunity to wonder around the site and relive the grandeur of life as it used to be. You have a chance to look around and discover the site and view rare and beautiful archaeological treasures which for centuries have been buried below the earth.

The site is quite large so you may easily expect to spend an hour or two there. Be sure to carry with you a hat and adequate supply of water in case you will be visiting during the April-October months as the weather tends to be very hot. Littering is strictly prohibited. Removing or altering artifacts in any form or manner is penalized by Law.

In the market there are beautiful marble columns, decorated with luscious spirals and large cobbled areas. In the sea side of the town there exist signs of a pre-Christian basilica decorated with cobbled flooring. Further on, close to the uphill road which leads to the Temple on the hill top there have been discovered a series of dwellings from the Greek period. On the East and Western parts of the City are the two Acropolis on which, a number of tombs have been discovered, many of which have been unscathed.

Many of the priceless handmade archaeological items which have been discovered during the digs can be marveled at the Cypriot History Museum in Nicosia and at the District Museum of Limassol. Some can even be viewed at the New York Metropolitan museum. The most important archaeological find though is exhibited at The Louvre in Paris. It is a large limestone amphora which dates back to the 6th Century BC. It is 1.85 m in height and weighs 14 tons! It has been hand carved from a single block of stone and has four curved handles decorated with a carved bull's head. It was used to store grape must, which upon the correct processing would be turned into fine wine, a product for which Cyprus was famous.

A taxi from Limassol centre will cost you around 10 Euro. To get there by car just follow the seaside road leading eastwards out of Limassol, there are visible road signs on the way.

Highlights:

• Earliest historical signs date back to 11th Century BC

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site

• You can view the two Acropolis, the Temple of Aphrodite, the market, the city walls, the basilica and the Harbour

• Fantastic architecture from the ancient Greek period.

• Influences from the Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine periods and the Crusaders

Look Out For:

• Wear comfortable shoes, preferably trainers

• If in summer carry with you some water and wear a hat. Sunscreen is advisable as well as the Cypriot summer tends to be very hot.

• Can be reached by car easily. A taxi from Limassol centre will cost around €10

• Organised excursions are available at local travel agencies and the offices of the Cyprus Ministry of Tourism in all towns

• Littering is strictly prohibited throughout the site

• Carving and/or inscribing anything on the rocks or altering the form of the site in any way is against the Law.