Limassol is the largest port city on the south coast of Cyprus, with a medieval castle in its Old Town, a modern marina and seafront promenade, and the ancient sites of Kourion, Kolossi and Amathus within a short drive.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Limassol.
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1
Erimi settlement
A Chalcolithic farming village at Erimi, west of Limassol, marks some of the earliest settled life in the district.
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2
Amathus emerges
The city-kingdom of Amathus rises on the coast east of modern Limassol, with a cult of Aphrodite on its acropolis.
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3
Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates
Worship of Apollo Hylates begins near Kourion and continues into the Roman period.
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4
Ptolemaic rule
The Ptolemies of Egypt take control of Cyprus, and Amathus and Kourion pass under their authority.
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5
Roman annexation
Rome annexes Cyprus; Kourion's theatre, baths and villas are expanded under Roman rule.
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6
Earthquakes strike Kourion
Major earthquakes in the 4th century destroy buildings at Kourion and other southern cities; skeletons of victims were found in the ruins.
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7
Early Christian Kourion
The House of Eustolios receives mosaic floors and a basilica is built at Kourion.
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8
Arab raids and decline
Raids lead to the decline of Amathus and Kourion; population gradually shifts to the nearby settlement known as Nemesos, the origin of Limassol.
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9
Richard the Lionheart in Limassol
Richard I of England lands at Limassol, conquers Cyprus and on 12 May marries Berengaria of Navarre in the town.
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10
Knights of St John at Kolossi
The Knights Hospitaller receive the estate at Kolossi, which becomes a commandery producing sugar and sweet wine, the ancestor of Commandaria.
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11
Genoese raid
Genoese forces raid and badly damage Limassol, which declines in the later medieval period.
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12
Ottoman conquest
The Ottomans conquer Cyprus from Venice; the Limassol fortress is later rebuilt and used as a prison and garrison.
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13
British administration
Britain takes over administration of Cyprus, and Limassol grows as a port exporting wine, carobs and citrus.
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14
Independence
Cyprus becomes an independent republic; the British retain the Akrotiri and Dhekelia Sovereign Base Areas.
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15
Partition and displacement
After the 1974 division of the island, displaced families settle in Limassol and the city grows rapidly.
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16
EU and euro
Cyprus joins the European Union in 2004 and adopts the euro in 2008, as Limassol expands its port, tourism and services.
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17
Marina and waterfront renewal
The Old Port area is redeveloped as Limassol Marina, and the seafront and Old Town are restored for visitors.
Historical eras
The chapters of Limassol's past.
Prehistoric and Bronze Age
Farming villages such as Erimi and early copper-age communities along the south coast.
City-kingdoms and Classical
Amathus and Kourion flourish as independent kingdoms with sanctuaries to Aphrodite and Apollo.
Hellenistic and Roman
Ptolemaic and Roman rule bring the Kourion theatre, villas and baths.
Early Christian and Byzantine
Basilicas, mosaics and the decline of the old cities as Nemesos grows.
Lusignan and Venetian
Crusader rule, the Knights of St John at Kolossi and Commandaria wine.
Ottoman and British
The Old Town mosque and fortress, then colonial port growth.
Modern Cyprus
Independence, rapid post-1974 growth, EU membership and the Marina.
Historical sites
Places where Limassol's past comes alive.
Kourion Archaeological Site
Where: Episkopi, 19 km west of Limassol
Admission: EUR 4.5 (about USD 5.18)
Kolossi Castle
Where: Kolossi, 14 km west of Limassol
Admission: EUR 2.5 (about USD 2.88)
Amathus Archaeological Site
Where: Eastern Limassol, 11 km from the centre
Admission: EUR 2.5 (about USD 2.88)
Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates
Where: Near Kourion, 22 km west of Limassol
Admission: EUR 2.5 (about USD 2.88)
Cyprus Medieval Museum (Limassol Castle)
Where: Old Town, beside the Old Port
Admission: EUR 4.5 (about USD 5.18)
Kebir Mosque (Great Mosque)
Where: Old Town
Admission: Free
The Old Carob Mill
Where: Old Town, behind Limassol Castle
Admission: Free
Agios Nikolaos ton Gaton Monastery
Where: Akrotiri Peninsula, 15 km west of Limassol
Admission: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Limassol's story.
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.