A Virtual Tour of Larnaca

Larnaca is a small town of about 75,000 inhabitants situated on the southern coast of the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. When I first came to live here in November 1984, it looked like the middle of no where! People would stare at me as if I were an alien just because I I was different from them. Back to the 80s it was unheard of for a Greek Cypriot lady in her late 20s to have lunch BY HERSELF at one of the few tavernas then on Finikoudes Seafront.


Finikoudes (the Palm Tree Promenade) is  the symbol of our town and the town centre.. The palm trees date back to bygone years but now the area boasts one of the cleanest beaches in the eastern Med which has won a Blue Flag. There are also many cafes , restaurants and bars - my favourite being  Coffee Island - the fourth in our town - and Panos Steak House.

At the corner of Faneromenis and Agiou Lazarou Street is the church of Agiou Lazarou (Holy Lazarus), built in the 9th century by Byzantine Emperor Leo, on the site of St. Lazarus' tomb. According to legend, Lazarus travelled to Larnaca after his resurrection, and became the city's first bishop. His tomb is inside the church, under the main altar. The entrance is decorated with a number of icons. The church belltower was built in 1857. The church houses a small museum, containing beautiful samples of Byzantine religious art, including old wood carvings, icons and liturgical utensils.

 The Salt Lake is home to more than 12,000 pink flamingos which choose to spend the winter in Larnaca.During the winter months the lake fills with water whilst in the summer the water evaporates, leaving a crust of salt and a haze of grey dust. According to legend, the lake's saltiness stems from St Lazarus' request of an old woman for food and drink. She refused, claiming her vines had dried up, to which Lazarus replied: "May your vines be dry and be a salt lake forever more." A more scientific explanation is that the salt water penetrates the porous rock between the lake and the sea, making the water very salty.



Larnaca is also known as the city of Zenon. Zenon of  Kition was the founder of the Stoic School of Philosophy in Athens. He was born in Kition (ancient Larnaca) in 334 BC. Stoicism laid great emphasis on peace of mind and goodness gained from living a virtuous life in accordance with nature. To this day, the people of Larnaca are noted for their peace of mind, their kindness, their hospitality and their generosity. They have a heart of gold. I was born and reared in Nicosia - the capital city of Cyprus. When I first came to live in Larnaca I was a stranger amongst strangers. Yet, I was profoundly touched by the warmth and friendliness of its people who made me feel so very welcome. I now feel I am one of them and I feel blessed to be living in Larnaca.