The department of Antiquities  announced the completion of the 14^th season of archaeological investigations of the precinct of the ancient Hellenistic-Roman theatre of Nea Paphos.

Findings which provide invaluable insight into the urban layout of the ancient capital city of the island, and will become important archaeological tourist attractions for Paphos  in the future , were unearthed by the Australian  Archaeological Mission at the site this year.

The excavations, which took place in octob er were conducted by the University of Sydney under the direction of Dr Craig Barker, Dr Smadar Gabrieli and Emeritus Professor Richard Green for the University of Sydney.

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Marfin Laiki Bank’s  Cultural Centre has a long history of art programmes aimed at children.

Its  island-wide `Education Games` -History and Culture’ began  in 1996 in cooperation with the  Education Ministry, with the aim of introducing primary school pupils to Cyprus’ history through museum visit.

Also the Cultural Centre’s Byron Street Mansion in Nicosia has hosted several exhibitions and programmes over the years while the  Pierides-Marfin Laiki Bank Museum in Larnaca  is the location for the `Games of the Past 1 and II programmes.

Since last year the Marfin  Laiki Bank Cultural Centre has been hosting the `Art is the Art of Cyprus through the Centuries` exhibition which showcases the evolution of art in Cyprus from ancient times till today and its influence on local society.

A large number of primary school children have already visited enjoying a great opportunity to learn more about art through a range of related activities.

The journey begins in the ancient art section where centuries-old objects and more modern works they have influenced are on show encouraging young visitors to find their similarities and differences.

the Byzantine and Middle Ages section is next, where emphasis is given to Christian icons and mosaics.

Again, the children are invited to engage in an activity yo help them identify modern artworks inspired by this time period.

Story of Frankish kings follow where art  takes the form of the clothing worn by royalty in the Middle Ages and the young visitors are Asked  to  `dress` a king and a queen.

The Ottoman and British colonisation rooms are next as the pupils are introduced to folk art   through furniture, jewellery, and paintings by great Cypriot artists.

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One of the most beautiful villages in Cyprus. Bellapais lies amid citrus groves on the northern slopes of the  Besparmak (Kyrenia) Mountains. It features the splendidly preserved ruins of a Gothic abbey, to which the village owes ots name. It is thought to be derived from the French Abbaye de la Paix (Peace Abbey)

The first monks to settle here were Augusttinians from Jerusalem, forced to flee the city after its capture by Saladin. The first buildings were erected in the early 13^th century, but the main section of the abbey was built during the reign of the Lusignan kings. Hugo III and Hugo IV. The abbey was destroyed by the Turks, following their conquest of the island.

Bellapais is one of the loveliest Gothic historic sites in the Middle East. The oldest part of the abbey is its well preserved church, built in the French Gothic style.

A spiral staircase in the western end of the garth (the garden close) leads to the roof, affording a magnificent view of the sea and mountains. The remaining parts include the living quarters, the kitchen, and the old refectory illuminated by the light entering through the vast windows facing the steep crag. The garth cloisters once contained a carved marble sarcophagus and a lavatory, where the monks washed their hands before entering the refectory. Now they are used for concerts during music festivals.

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Information Office

Where is the Information office in Nicosia’s(Lefkosa)? Many visitors ask the same question. The Answer is it’s the Kyrenia gate!.

Kyrenia gate is one of the three original Venetian gates into the old walled city. This arched gate was originally used by travellers entering and leaving the city from and to the Northern area of the island.

It is also known as the Porta Del Providetore after the Venetian military engineer,  Proveditore  Francesco Barbaro.

In the Ottoman period, this gate was known as  Edirne gate . In 1821 , a dome-covered structure was added to the top of the gate, which was used as a watchtower. Historical records speak of a watchman named Horoz Ali, who  worked here until 1946 when he died at the age of 121 years.

The seal of the ottoman Sultan Mahmut II and an inscription in Latin were placed on the top of the south wall, and there are several verses from the Koran inscribed on a marble panel above the gate.

During the British colonial period, sections of the walls on the both sides of the narrow gateway were demolished to provide space for traffic circulation, marking an end to the structure’s original role as an entrance.

A commemorative tablet(dated 1931) can be found on the outside of the gate, recording the date when the openings in the walls were made.

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WINE STORY IN CYPRUS              The human, cultural and gastronomic customs and traditions of the vine and the wine do, indeed, go back a long time in Cyprus ,to the times of ancient Egypt and early civilisations in neighbouring areas. Belief that Cyprus has had one of the very oldest wine industries of the world was proven by the recent excavations of the noted archaeologist Dr.Maria Belgiorno , from Italy .
Her findings confirmed what many experts had long suspected, that the wine and wine making had flourished on this island since at least 3500 BC, five and a half thousand years ago.
Cyprus is littered with the story of its wine history, visible in many ways. From Greco Romans times are the colourful and exciting mosaics in Pafos and elsewhere, whose tableaux demonstrate more than aspect of wine making and consumption (even excess) including the god Dionysos.

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