Cyprus: City of Larnaca - Part 4

The Larnaca salt lake is known locally as the Aliki and is one of the most important habitats in this part of the Mediterranean for water birds. Many thousands of flamingos, wild ducks and other water or shore fowl find refuge here in winter on their migratory journeys.

Archaeological finds show that the salt lake area and that of the nearby mosque have been inhabited since the Neolithic age. In prehistoric times the salt lake was a harbour that served the town. This town was unearthed here near where the Hala Sultan Tekkesi mosque stands today. The town was one of the large urban and commercial centres of Cyprus in the late Bronze Age. When the town was abandoned, and we have no idea why, the estuary silted up. The natural harbour was destroyed and the salt lake formed. Salt became a valuable by product of the lake and has been commercially exploited for many centuries. A nature trail has been created along the banks of the lake connecting the area with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.

The Hala Sultan Tekkesi mosque was built in 648 AD and can be found 5 km west of Larnaca city on the road to the village. It is said to be built on the spot where Umm Haram died when she fell off her mule during an Arab raid on the island. It is said that Umm Haram was related to the Prophet Mohammed and because of this the Grand Chalif Moavia, who was on the expedition, immediately ordered the construction of a mosque on the spot.

It is now one of the most important holy places of worship for Muslims. It is ranked fourth in the world after Mecca, Medina and Al Aksha in Jerusalem. The mosque was renovated in 1816 but a much more extensive job was done in 2002 by UNOPS.

Angeloktisti church is situated in Kiti village 7 km west of Larnaca. The 11th century Byzantine church was erected over the ruins of an Early Christian Basilica. The original apse of the basilica has survived together with one of the best pieces of Byzantine art ever found. This is a 6th century mosaic of the Virgin and child between the two archangels Michael and Gabriel. This is a rare piece of artwork at least equalling the mosaics of Ravenna in Italy. It is only in Cyprus and in Mount Sinai have mosaics from this period ever been found.

The Neolithic Kalavasos Tenta archaeological site is situated a short distance from the village of Kalavasos. The settlement is covered by a characteristic cone shaped tented roof. The site lies to the west of the Vasilikos river valley, about 40 km southwest of Larnaca. Local tradition has it that the name goes back to 327 A. D. when St. Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great, stayed in a tent in this location during her visit to the island following the discovery of the Cross of the Crucifixion in Jerusalem.

To be continued in part 5