HISTORY
Cyprus: A Journey Through Layers of History
Cyprus may be a small island, but its history is vast and deeply woven into the eastern Mediterranean's cultural fabric. From ancient settlements to grand empires, each civilization that arrived left behind impressive traces, making the island a living museum of archaeology, myth, and heritage.
Prehistoric & Bronze Age (c. 8800–1050 BCE)
Cyprus has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. One of the best-preserved settlements, Choirokoitia, offers insight into early island life. During the Bronze Age, the island became a center of copper production and maritime trade, giving Cyprus its name (from "Kypros," meaning copper). Visitors can also explore Enkomi, an important Bronze Age city with remarkable archaeological finds.
Greek & Classical Periods (c. 1050–58 BCE)
Mycenaean Greeks settled on the island around 1050 BCE, bringing their language, religion, and cultural traditions. Independent city-kingdoms flourished, and later, Cyprus came under the rule of the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians—each leaving their mark. Notable sites from this era include the ancient city-kingdom of Amathus, known for its royal tombs and temples.
Hellenistic & Roman Rule (333 BCE – 330 CE)
Following Alexander the Great’s conquest, Cyprus became part of the Hellenistic world. Later, under Roman rule, cities like Salamis and Kourion thrived, with grand theaters, baths, temples, and mosaics still visible today. The Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcase the grandeur of this era.
Byzantine, Crusader & Venetian Eras (330–1571)
The Christianization of Cyprus began under the Byzantines, with impressive churches and monasteries such as Panagia Chrysopolitissa in Paphos and the Church of Agios Lazaros in Larnaca. The island was later ruled by Crusaders (Lusignans) and then Venetians, who fortified cities like Famagusta with the famous Othello Castle and Nicosia with its impressive Venetian walls.
Ottoman & British Periods (1571–1960)
The Ottomans ruled for over 300 years, influencing the island’s architecture with mosques, baths, and other public buildings. The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Famagusta, originally built as a Gothic cathedral during the Lusignan period, was later converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule, reflecting the island’s layered history. In 1878, Cyprus came under British administration and remained a colony until gaining independence in 1960. British influence can be seen in colonial architecture and infrastructure, especially in cities like Nicosia and Limassol.
This rich tapestry of monuments and sites offers visitors a unique opportunity to walk through the pages of history, exploring centuries of culture and heritage on this captivating island.
Cyprus After 1960: Independence, Conflict, and Division
After gaining independence from Britain in 1960, the Republic of Cyprus was formed with a power-sharing constitution between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority. However, tensions between the two communities soon escalated.
The 1960s and Intercommunal Violence
The constitutional arrangement proved difficult to implement, leading to political instability. In 1963, a crisis erupted, and intercommunal violence broke out, marking the end of the power-sharing government. UN peacekeepers were deployed in 1964 to help maintain order, but the island remained deeply polarized.
The 1974 Turkish Intervention and Division
In July 1974, a Greek-backed military coup d'état attempted to overthrow the Cypriot government and unite the island with Greece. In response, Turkey's military intervened in the northern part of the island, citing its role as a guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee. This led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, with Greek Cypriots moving south and Turkish Cypriots moving north.
The island was de facto divided by a UN buffer zone, also known as the "Green Line," which runs through the capital, Nicosia.
The Aftermath and Current Situation
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot-controlled area in the north declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This entity is recognized only by Turkey. The international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, recognizes the government of the Republic of Cyprus (in the south) as the only legitimate authority on the island.
Since 1974, numerous efforts have been made to reunify the island, but none have been successful. While checkpoints have opened, allowing people to cross between the two sides, the political division remains. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, with the acquis communautaire suspended in the northern part of the island.