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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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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The typically hot Mediterranean climate in summer and the mild winters combined with the genuine warmth of the local people make Cyprus a splendid year-round holiday destination driving in Cyprus is on the left , so renting a car is an easy and convenient option allowing you to explore the island’s many attractions at your own pace and English is widely spoken.

The island’s varied landscape offers something for everyone, from stunning beaches and rocky coves to the wilderness of the Akamas Peninsula and the immense beauty of the Troodos Mountains. Cyprus also boasts many museums and churches plus countless archaeological sites including the magnificent Tombs of the Kings and the Mosaics in Paphos.

And bearing in mind the legend claiming Cyprus to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, the island is also an ideal venue if you are planning a romantic overseas wedding and close enough to allow relatives and friends to witness your big day.

Whatever attracts you to this wonderful island and no matter how long you choose to stay, Cyprus is a stunning holiday choice for all.

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Kourion is the most important archaeological site in the Greek part of the island, impressively perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea.

There has been some sort of settlement here since 3300BC, the chalcolithic  period, but the first significant town was probably built by Mycenaeans around 1400 BC. It reached the height of its powers under the Romans and it is that influence that is most evident from the ruins. Thereafter it went into decline as it suffered from the attentions of Arab raiders and the population moved inland Excavations started in 1873 and still continue.

The theatre presents the most striking image of the whole site.  It  seated an audience of 3,500 and was probably built by the early Greeks and then extended by the Romans to allows for gladiatorial

Combat and for man against animal spectacles. It is entirely restored and , in summer, performances of plays and concerts are staged.

The Annexe of Eustolios lies just uphill from the Theatre and has impressive mosaic floor, which can be observed from raised gangways. Farther up the hill are the Baths, which also had mosaic floors. The Baths follow the traditional Roman pattern, with the frigidarium(cold room), then the tepidarium(warm room) and the caldarium(hot bath). Various mechanisms for heating the water along with fumaces and water tanks, are still in evidence.

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