Larnaca
Larnaca
| |
|---|---|
Finikoudes Promenade Larnaca Marina Larnaca District Administration | |
  Larnaca Location in Cyprus | |
| Coordinates:34°55′N33°38′E/ 34.917°N 33.633°E | |
| Country |  Cyprus |
| District | Larnaca District |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal council |
| • Mayor | Andreas Vyras (AKEL) |
| Elevation | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Population (2015)[1] | |
| •Cityandmunicipality | 51,468 |
| •Urban | 84,900 |
| •District | 144,200 |
| The urban population is the aggregate of the populations of Larnaca,Aradippou,Livadia,Dromolaxia,andMeneou | |
| Time zone | UTC+2(EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3(EEST) |
| Post code | 6010-6060[2] |
| Area code | 24 |
| Patron saint | Saint Lazarus(27 April 2024) |
| Major airport(s) | Larnaca International Airport |
| Website | www |
Larnaca(pronounced/ˈlɑːrnəkə/) (Greek:Λάρνακα,romanized:Lárnaka[ˈlarnaka];Turkish:Larnaka) is a city on the south east coast ofCyprusand the capital of thedistrict of the same name.It is the third-largest city in the country, afterNicosiaandLimassol,with a district population of 144,200 in 2015.[3]
Larnaca is known for its palm-tree seafront also called Finikoudes (Greek: Φινικούδες) as well as theChurch of Saint Lazarus,Hala Sultan Tekke,Kamares Aqueduct,andLarnaca Castle.It is built on the ruins of ancientCitium,which was the birthplace ofStoicphilosopherZeno.Larnaca is home to the country's primary airport,Larnaca International Airport.It also has a seaport and a marina.
Name[edit]
The nameLarnacaoriginates from theAncient Greeknounλάρναξlarnax'coffer, box; chest, e.g. for household stores; cinerary urn, sarcophagus, coffin; drinking trough, chalice'. An informal etymology attributes the origin of the name to the manylarnakes(sarcophagi) that have been found in the area.[4]Sophocles Hadjisavvas, a state archeologist, states that "[the city's U.S.] consul of the last quarter of the 19th century, claimed to have explored more than 3,000 tombs in the area of Larnaca, so-called after the immense number of sarcophagi found in the modern town".[5]
History[edit]
The former city-kingdom ofKitionwas originally established in the 13th century BC. New cultural elements appearing between 1200 BC and 1000 BC, including pottery, new architectural forms. These archaeological findings are interpreted as indications of significant political changes and the arrival of theAchaeans,the first Greek colonists of Kition. Around the same time,Phoenicianssettled the area.
At thearchaeological sites of Kiteon,remains that date from the 13th century BC have been found. Around 1000 BC, Kition was rebuilt byPhoeniciansand it subsequently became a center of Phoenician culture. The remains of the sites includecyclopean wallsand a complex of five temples and anavalport.
It was conquered in the first millennium BC by a series of great powers of the region. First by theAssyrian Empire,then byEgypt.Like most Cypriot cities, Kition belonged to the PersianAchaemenid Empire.In 450 BC, theAtheniangeneralCimondied at sea, while militarily supporting the revolt against Persia's rule over Cyprus. On his deathbed, he urged his officers to conceal his death from both their allies and the Persians.
Strong[6]earthquakes hit the city in 76 AD and the year after.
Earthquakes of 322 AD and 342 "caused the destruction not only of Kition but also of Salamis and Pafos".[6]Kition's harbor silted up, and the population moved to the seafront farther south, sometime after this. Contributing factors to the silting are thought to have been earthquakes,deforestation,andovergrazing.
Thecommercial portwas located atSkala,during theOttoman Periodstarting in 1571.Skalais the name of the seashore immediately south of theLarnaca Castle[7]andits neighborhood.
Geography[edit]
TheSalt Lakefills with water during the winter season and is visited by flocks of flamingoes who stay there from November until the end of March. It usually dries up in the summer. In the past,[when?]it yielded good quality salt scraped from the dried surface. The salt from the lake is now considered unsuitable for consumption.
Climate[edit]
The climate in this area is described by theKöppen Climate Classification Systemas ahot semi-arid climate(BSh) due to its low annual rainfall and hot summer temperatures resulting in highly negative water balance. It is sometimes described as amediterranean climatedue to the pronounced rainy season in winter and virtually rainless summers, but the total annual rainfall is below the required amount to avoid the semi-arid classification.
| Climate data for Larnaca (Larnaca International Airport) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1881-present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 24.0 (75.2) |
26.2 (79.2) |
30.3 (86.5) |
34.1 (93.4) |
40.6 (105.1) |
41.5 (106.7) |
41.1 (106.0) |
40.9 (105.6) |
39.7 (103.5) |
34.8 (94.6) |
31.5 (88.7) |
26.6 (79.9) |
41.1 (106.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 17.1 (62.8) |
17.5 (63.5) |
19.9 (67.8) |
23.0 (73.4) |
27.0 (80.6) |
30.6 (87.1) |
33.0 (91.4) |
33.3 (91.9) |
31.4 (88.5) |
28.3 (82.9) |
23.3 (73.9) |
18.9 (66.0) |
25.3 (77.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.4 (54.3) |
12.6 (54.7) |
14.5 (58.1) |
17.6 (63.7) |
21.7 (71.1) |
25.3 (77.5) |
27.8 (82.0) |
28.2 (82.8) |
26.0 (78.8) |
22.9 (73.2) |
18.2 (64.8) |
14.3 (57.7) |
20.1 (68.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.8 (46.0) |
7.6 (45.7) |
9.1 (48.4) |
12.1 (53.8) |
16.4 (61.5) |
20.1 (68.2) |
22.6 (72.7) |
23.0 (73.4) |
20.6 (69.1) |
17.5 (63.5) |
13.2 (55.8) |
9.7 (49.5) |
15.0 (59.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −0.9 (30.4) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
2.0 (35.6) |
8.5 (47.3) |
12.5 (54.5) |
16.0 (60.8) |
15.6 (60.1) |
12.4 (54.3) |
7.6 (45.7) |
1.9 (35.4) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
| Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 83.2 (3.28) |
47.4 (1.87) |
30.3 (1.19) |
15.8 (0.62) |
11.5 (0.45) |
2.1 (0.08) |
0.7 (0.03) |
0.4 (0.02) |
5.2 (0.20) |
16.0 (0.63) |
42.0 (1.65) |
95.4 (3.76) |
350.1 (13.78) |
| Averagerelative humidity(%) | 72 | 71 | 68 | 65 | 63 | 64 | 67 | 66 | 61 | 60 | 64 | 72 | 66 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 181.4 | 189.4 | 243.0 | 273.6 | 338.4 | 378.6 | 394.4 | 370.3 | 314.7 | 272.5 | 214.5 | 177.1 | 3,348 |
| Source 1:NOAA[8] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)[9] | |||||||||||||
Promenade[edit]
Finikoudes is thepromenadealong Athenon Avenue on the seafront. A row of palm trees (Cypriot Greek:φοινικούδες,foinikoudes) lines either side of it.
Much of the activity is centered on the city promenade during the major festivals. The most important of these isKataklysmosor theFestival of the Flood,celebrated in early summer with a series of cultural events. The festival used to last for about a week, but, in recent years, with the increased commercialism of peripheral stalls, rides, and temporaryLokmarestaurants, the festival has been extended to about three weeks, during which the seafront is closed to traffic in the evenings.
Monuments[edit]
- AbustofCimonstands on the Foinikoudes Promenade, with this quote referring to him on thepedestal:"Even in death he was victorious" (Greek:"Kαι νεκρός ενίκα").
- The marble bust ofZeno of Citiumstands at the crossroads near the American Academy. Zeno was born in Kition in 334 BC. After studying philosophy inAthens,he founded theStoicismschool of philosophy.
- TheArmenian Genocide Memorialstands on Athenon Avenue.
Landmarks[edit]
The city's landmarks include theChurch of Saint Lazarus,theCatacomb of Phaneromeni Church,Hala Sultan Tekke,theBekir Pasha Aqueduct,and theLarnaca Castle.
Economy[edit]
Larnaca's economy has been growing since 1975,[citation needed]after the loss of thePort of Famagusta,which handled 80% of general cargo, and the closure ofNicosia International Airport,events which have seen Larnaca's airport and seaport play increasingly important roles in the economy of the island. A €650m upgrade of Larnaca Airport has been completed.
The service sector, including tourism, employs three-quarters of Larnaca's labour force.[citation needed]Many travel and tour operators and other travel-related companies have a head office in Larnaca.
Education[edit]
There are over a hundred educational institutions in the city,[citation needed]including theAmerican Academy,Larnaca Nareg Armenian schooland the Alexander College.
Culture[edit]
Arts[edit]
Larnaca has a theatre and an art gallery, which are operated by the municipality. The Cornaro Institute was a cultural centre founded by the celebrated Cypriot artistStass Paraskosin the Old Town in 2007, which staged contemporary art exhibitions and other cultural events, prior to its closure by Larnaca Municipality in 2017.
Music[edit]
Local institutions include theMunicipal Wind Orchestra.
Sports[edit]
Local teams include (football:)AEK Larnaca FCandALKI Larnaca FC. Due to the Turkish occupation ofFamagusta,the two teams of Famagusta,AnorthosisandNea Salamina,are located here.
Localsports arenasincludeAEK Arena - Georgios Karapatakis,GSZ Stadium,Antonis Papadopoulos StadiumandAmmochostos Stadium.
International competitions held in the city, include theLarnaka International Marathonsince 2017, theShooting Shotgun European Championshipsin 2012, theFIVB Beach Volleyball SWATCH Youth World Championshipin 2012, theEuropean Under-19 Football Championshipfinal in 1998 and theEuropean Under-17 Football Championshipfinal in 1992.
Larnaca attracts windsurfers from around the world, especially in autumn. Mackenzie Beach hosts a windsurfing centre together with an extreme sports centre.
Museums[edit]
Museums found in Larnaca include theLarnaca District Archaeological Museum,Pierides Museum,Agios Lazaros Byzantine Museum, Kallinikeio Municipal Museum of Athienou, Larnaca Medieval Museum, Larnaca Municipal Museum of Natural History, Larnaca Municipal Historical Archives - Museum of Larnaca, Folklore Museum ‘Kostas Kaimakliotis’ - Aradippou, Theasis Museum, Kyriazis Medical Museum and Museum of Michel Platini.
Cuisine and seafood[edit]
The beaches of Larnaca are lined with nearly identical seafood restaurants catering to tourists. Although there are many continental and international restaurants in Larnaca, visitors do not miss out on indulging in the local food. Many of the staple dishes involve beans, such asfasolaki(French beanscooked in red wine with lamb), andlouvi me lahana(black-eyed peaswithchard).
Some of the standard appetizers are potato salad, kohlrabi salad, and hot grilled black olives. The next course may includeCyprus village sausageandsheftalia,dolmadesandkeftedes,kolokassiin tomato sauce, and several aubergine-based dishes. Baked or grilled lamb (souvla) usually appears somewhere in the course of dining, as does some kind of fish.
Neighbourhoods[edit]
Larnaca's neighbourhoods includeSkala,Prodromos,Faneromeni, Drosia, Kamares, Vergina and Agioi Anargyroi.
Transport[edit]
The city'stransport hubsareLarnaca International AirportandLarnaca Port—the Republic's busiestairportand second busiest port.
Public transport[edit]
Public transport in Larnaca is served only by buses. Fares cost 2.40 cash (April 2024)
International relations[edit]
Twin towns – sister cities[edit]
Larnaca Municipality istwinnedwith the following:[10]
Acapulco,Mexico (since 2011)[11]
Ajaccio,France (since 1989)
Bratislava,Slovakia (since 2013)[12]
Galaxidi,Greece (since 2005)[13]- Giannitsa,Greece (since 2003)[13]
- Glyfada,Greece (since 1998)
- Ilioupoli,Greece (since 2000)[13]
- Larissa,Greece (since 1990)[13]
- Leros,Greece (since 2000)[13]
Marrickville,Australia (since 2005)- Piraeus,Greece (since 1999)[13]
Poti,Georgia (since 1987)
Sarandë,Albania (since 1994)
Szeged,Hungary (since 1993)
Tarpon Springs,U.S. (since 2009)
Tianjin,China (since 2007)
Tulcea,Romania (since 2003)
Venice,Italy (since 2010)
Notable residents[edit]
- Zeno of Citium(c. 334 – c. 262 BC),Stoicphilosopher
- Apollonios of Kition(1st century BC), physician, nicknamed "the Cypriot Hippocrates"
- Ebubekir Pasha(1670 – 1757/1758), Governor of Larnaca and philanthropist
- Demetrios Pieridis(1811–1895), founder of thePieridis Museum
- Dimitris Lipertis(1866–1937), national poet
- Neoclis Kyriazis(1877–1956), medical doctor and historian
- Mehmet Nazim Adil(1922–2014), leader of theNakshbandiSufiorder (orTekke), born in Larnaca
- Kyriacos A. Athanasiou,Cypriot-American academic, entrepreneur, and past president of the Biomedical Engineering Society
- Stass Paraskos,artist
- Mihalis Violaris,singer and composer who helped popularise Cypriot music in Greece
- Giorgos Theofanous,composer
- Anna Vissi,singer
- Loucas Yiorkas,singer,The X Factorwinner in 2009
- Ada Nicodemou,actress
- Garo Yepremian,Armenian-Cypriot former NFLplacekicker,played as a member of the1972 Miami Dolphins,to date the only team in NFL history to finish with a perfect record
- Chrystalleni Trikomiti,Commonwealth Games gold-medalist rhythmic gymnast
- Martino Tirimo,Cypriot classical pianist
- Tio Ellinas,Cypriot racing driver
Gallery[edit]
-
Fishing port "Psarolimano" -
-
Castle exterior -
Castle square pier -
Kimon statue -
Finikoudes Avenue -
View of Larnaca from sea -
Larnaca marina -
Larnaca Salt Lake -
Aspect of the old town -
Souvenir shops -
Old town -
Old aqueduct"Kamares" -
Angeloktisti medieval church -
Street in town center -
Ermou square -
Saint Lazarus -
Vessels near Larnaca port -
Larnaca International Airport -
Larnaca Castle interior -
Building of District Administration Larnaca -
Europe square -
-
Larnaca seafront panorama -
Panoramic view fromOrokliniHill towards Larnaca -
The Armenian Genocide Memorial, unveiled in 2008
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Population - Place of Residence, 2011".Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT).17 April 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 16 October 2014.
- ^"A list of all Cyprus postcodes".cypruspostcodes.eurocyinnovations.Retrieved19 March2024.
- ^"Στατιστική Υπηρεσία - Πληθυσμός και Κοινωνικές Συνθήκες - Πληθυσμός - Ανακοινώσεις".mof.gov.cy.Retrieved11 November2017.
- ^"The great number of sarcophagoi (larnakes) found at Larnaca may have given to the modern city its name." Excerpt of wall mounted text atLarnaca District Museum,under the title "Kition: The necropolis"
- ^The Phoenician Period Necropolis of Kition, Volume IArchived4 March 2016 at theWayback Machine
- ^abFlourentzos, P. (1996).A Guide to the Larnaca District Museum.Ministry of Communications and Works – Department of Antiquities. p. 18.ISBN9789963364251.
- ^Road & Tourist Map of Larnaka.SELAS LTD.ISBN9789963566921.
- ^"World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Larnaka Airport".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Retrieved12 January2024.
- ^ "Station Maceio"(in French). Meteo Climat.Retrieved17 December2018.
- ^Οι αδελφοποιήσεις της Λάρνακας.Larnaca Municipality(in Greek). Archived fromthe originalon 8 April 2017.Retrieved14 April2014.
- ^"Se llevan a cabo gestiones para realizar hermanamiento entre Lárnaca y Acapulco"(PDF)(in Spanish).Retrieved2 February2017.
- ^"Archived copy".bratislava-city.sk.Archived fromthe originalon 28 July 2013.Retrieved11 January2022.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^abcdef"Αδελφοποιήσεις – Twinnings"(PDF).Central Union of Municipalities & Communities of Greece. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 5 August 2019.Retrieved14 April2014.
External links[edit]
- Municipality
- Discovering Larnaca Historic City Centre
Larnacatravel guide from Wikivoyage
| Municipalities ofCyprus | |
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| Nicosia District | |
| Limassol District | |
| Larnaca District | |
| Famagusta District | |
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