The Most Beautiful Beaches in Cyprus

The island of Cyprus has long been known for the exquisite beaches which line the country’s beautiful shores.

Cyprus, located at the edge of Europe in the eastern Mediterranean, is also home to an ancient history dating back millennia.

The remnants of the country’s prominence in antiquity are found throughout the island, which has been politically divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, taking almost half the island.

 

Currently, the southern part of the island, called the Republic of Cyprus, is recognized internationally and is home to the country’s Greek Cypriot population.

Occupied Cyprus, a puppet state which is recognized only by Turkey amongst all the nations of the world, is home to the island’s Turkish Cypriot minority, as well as Turkish settlers brought to the country after the invasion.

While all of the beaches on the island are of exceptional quality, as Cyprus has some of the cleanest swimming waters in Europe, there are a few stunning destinations that stand out among the rest.

Fig Tree Beach is one of the most popular beaches in all of Cyprus. Located in the popular resort town of Protaras, Fig Tree has some of the clearest, most sparkling waters in the Mediterranean.

Due to its soft, golden sand and crystalline waters, which have been awarded a Blue Flag, Fig Tree Beach is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, particularly on weekends during the summer.

Although the beach is situated in the middle of Protaras, which is full of restaurants, bars,  shops, and hotels, Fig Tree is a slice of paradise and natural beauty amidst the bustle of tourists.

The beach features a small islet that visitors can easily swim to, and it is lined by fig trees, imbuing the beach with the lovely summertime scent of ripening figs.

Entrance into the beach is free, but there is a small fee for sunbeds and umbrellas. There are cafes and bars nearby to purchase food and drinks.

Nissi Beach

Located in Cyprus’ other prominent resort town Agia Napa, Nissi Beach has long stretches of light sand and light blue water so clear that it’s almost unbelievable.

Just like Fig Tree, Nissi Beach is an extremely popular Blue Flag-awarded beach for both Cypriots and tourists. On the weekends during the summer, the many sunbeds lining the shore fill up pretty quickly.

While some may worry about the crowds at Nissi Beach, the sheer length of the shoreline means that even with many visitors, you can find a spot away from other people.

Nissi Beach is known for its transparent, sparkling waters that stretch out to a small island, or “nisi,” in Greek, from which the beach got its name. As the water is relatively shallow, visitors can easily reach the island by foot.

The beach is also a popular spot after dark, as it features the famous Nissi Beach Bar, which offers drinks and live DJ sets throughout the summer.

Latsi Beach

 

Latsi Beach is located in the region of Paphos in Cyprus, but it is closer to the town of Polis Chrysochous. Unlike Fig Tree and Nissi Beach, Latsi Beach is less well-known and does not attract the same number of tourists.

In fact, the beautiful strand, which has a mix of golden sand and pebbles and deep blue waters, has been ranked one of the best “secret beaches” in Europe.

This is the perfect spot for those looking to escape the crowds and embrace the natural beauty of Cyprus.

While many of the gorgeous beaches in resort areas like Protaras and Agia Napa are lined with apartments and hotels, Latsi is surrounded by dramatic mountains.

Konnos Beach

Konnos Beach is another great choice for those looking to avoid the more “touristy” areas.

Relatively unknown to most visitors to the island, Konnos is situated in a small bay, protecting its shores from waves and providing the beach with a peaceful atmosphere.

The water at Konnos is bright blue and entirely clear, and the sand is soft and golden.

Like Latsi, the area surrounding the beach is almost entirely natural, with only one hotel located on the hill above the beach and a small cafe hidden in the brush next to the beach.

Visitors can relax on sunbeds for a small fee, and pick up a coffee or snack from the cafe nearby.

Aphrodite’s Rock, or the Rock of the Greek

Petra tou Romiou, also known as the Rock of the Greek or Aphrodite’s Rock, is the official birthplace of the Greek goddess of love.

According to myth, Aphrodite was born out of the sea foam near this very rock. For this reason, the goddess is often linked to the island of Cyprus in ancient mythology.

Currently, visitors can take a dip in the blue waters near the rock, which is located on the road toward Paphos.

While the water is beautiful, it can be rough near the rock, so tourists are advised against swimming there on windy days, or if they are not strong swimmers.

There are no sunbeds or umbrellas at the beach, so be prepared with your own beach accessories. There is a restaurant and hotel nearby, but they are not located on the beach.

Greek Students Triumph in World Robotics Olympiad

The Greek national Robotics team recently won three medals in the Robotics Olympiad, held between June and September. The “First Global Challenge Team Greece” won one gold, one silver and one bronze medals.

The Robotics Olympiad First Global Challenge called “Discover and Recover 2021” was held from June 27 to September 25, 2021. It was conducted remotely, due to the pandemic restrictions. The First Global Challenge Robotics Olympiad is a robotics, science and technology event.

The Greek Monkey Mystery – and an Important Clue to Bronze Age World

Ancient frescoes like that of the Greek monkeys on Santorini suggest Europe and south Asia had trade links as long as 3,600 years ago. 

By Tracie McKinney & Marie Nicole Pareja Cummings

The blue monkeys painted on the walls of Akrotiri on the Greek island of Santorini are among many animals found in the frescoes of this 3,600-year-old city. Historians have studied the murals for decades since they were unearthed in the 1960s and 1970s on the island, which was once known as Thera. But when we and a team of other primatologists recently examined the paintings, we realized the monkeys could provide a clue that the Bronze Age world was much more globalized than previously thought.

Archaeologists had assumed the monkeys were an African species, with which the Aegean people who built Akrotiri probably came into contact via trade links with Egypt. But we think the paintings actually depict Hanuman langurs, a species from the Indian subcontinent. This suggests the Aegean people, who came from Crete and the Cycladic islands in the Aegean Sea, may have had trade routes that reached over 2,500 miles.

The wall paintings of Akrotiri were preserved by ash from a volcano that destroyed the city some time in the 16th or 15th century BC and offer an incredible glimpse of an early civilization in Europe. We haven’t been able to translate the earliest Aegean writing, but the paintings suggest just how developed these people’s society, economy and culture were.

Much animal art from this period is generalized, meaning it’s hard to confidently identify individual species. In the case of the monkeys, we also don’t have any physical remains from Aegean settlements to provide additional evidence of which species are depicted.

The reason why archaeologists and art historians have assumed they came from Egypt is because that was the nearest location with an indigenous monkey population that had known trade links with the Aegean. As a result, the Akrotiri monkeys have been variously identified as baboons, vervets and grivet monkeys, all African species that live across a wide area.

Marie Pareja decided to take a different approach, gathering a team of primatologists who study apes, monkeys, and lemurs, including renowned taxonomic illustrator Stephen Nash. Together, we examined photos of the art and discussed the animals depicted, considering not only fur colour and pattern but also body size, limb proportions, sitting and standing postures, and tail position. While we all agreed that some of the animals depicted were baboons, as previously thought, we began to debate the identification of the animals from one particular scene.

Identifying the langurs of the Greeks’ monkeys

The monkeys in the paintings are grey-blue. But although some living monkeys have small patches of blue skin – the blue on a mandrill’s face, for example – none have blue fur. There is an African forest monkey called the blue monkey, but it is mainly olive or dark grey, and the face patterns don’t match those in the paintings. So we needed to use other characteristics to identify them.

They were previously believed to be vervets or grivets, small monkeys weighing between 3kg and 8kg (roughly the size of a housecat) that are found in the savannas of north and east Africa. Despite their silvery white fur, they also have dark-coloured hands and feet and an overall look that matches the depictions in the paintings.

However, Hanuman langurs, which weigh a more substantial 11 kg to 18 kg, have a similar look. They also move quite differently, and this was crucial to the identification.

Both primates primarily live on the ground (as opposed to in trees) and have long limbs and tails. But the langurs tend to carry their tail upward, as an S- or C-shape or curving towards the head, while vervets carry their tail in a straight line or arcing downward. This tail position, repeated across multiple images, was a key factor in identifying the monkeys as Hanuman langurs.

International links

We know from archaeological evidence that Aegean peoples had access to minerals such as tin, lapis lazuli and carnelian that came from beyond the Zagros mountains on the western border of modern Iran. But the artistic detail of the Akrotiri paintings, compared to other monkey art of the period, suggests that the artists had seen live animals, perhaps while traveling abroad.

It’s understandable that earlier scholars thought the monkeys were African, since relations between the Aegean and Egypt were already well known and supported by archaeological evidence. If you expect to find an African monkey, you will only look at African animals for possible explanations. But as primatologists, we were able to bring a fresh look at the evidence without preconceived notions of ancient peoples or trade routes, and consider species living further afield.

This study is an excellent example of the importance of academics from different disciplines working together. Without the expertise of primatologists, it may not have been possibly to confidently identify these animals. Conversely, primatologists may not have considered these ancient human-primate interactions without a prompt from archaeologists.

Tracie McKinney is a Senior Lecturer in Human Biology, University of South Wales.

Marie Nicole Pareja Cummings is a Consulting Scholar, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania.

Greek Islands Win Gold as “Most Desirable Region” in Travel Awards

The Greek islands have earned the top spot as the “most desirable region” for travelers in the Wanderlust 2021 Awards, which take place every year.

The awards, which are organized by Wanderlust, a British travel magazine, are based on votes from the publication’s readers.

The Fascinating Ancient History of Athens’ Monastiraki Square

Located in the heart of Athens, Monastiraki Square is a unique blend of styles, cultures and eras, ever-changing and vibrant. It is without question one of the most charming and lively areas in the Greek capital.

If you just stand at the center of Monastiraki Square and take a good look around you, you can form a more or less complete picture of Athens’ past and present, all within just a few square meters.

The stunning diversity of the architecture of its buildings alone epitomizes the turbulent history of Greece.

Layout of Monastiraki Square reflects the history of Athens

On one side of the square is the Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary Pantanassa, and on the other is the Ottoman-era Mosque of Tzistarakis.

Built in the second century AD, the pillars of Hadrian’s Library can still be seen through the arches of the mosque, while – directly above them – the Acropolis dominates your view, forming a stunning backdrop for the scene.

A number of neoclassical buildings which surround the square, including the Metro Station, add yet another era to the list of those which are already exemplified in this small space.

Recently renovated, the Square itself is now paved with mosaic “flows” of marble, stone and wrought iron, symbolizing the diversity of the Mediterranean.

There is so much more to this charming place than one might think. Let’s take a dive into Monastiraki’s fascinating history, and what makes it so completely unique today.

The history of the iconic square

The iconic metro station of Monastiraki was built in 1895 when the above-ground metro was constructed. It was actually a train, not an actual underground subway, which is why Athenians still call it the “treno.”

The treno connects the Port of Piraeus to Athens and Kifissias, a neighborhood in the north of Athens.

Presently, the underground metro line which connects the airport to the city passes through Monastiraki as well, making it a major transportation hub today.

Just like everywhere else in Athens, the creation of the metro led to discoveries of ancient ruins and artifacts, some of which are showcased in the station itself.

When the construction work for the new metro station began in 2004, there were many difficulties in this part of the city, since it abuts the riverbed of the Eridanos, which was a sacred river to the ancient Athenians.

The Eridanos River flowed from its source on the slopes of Lykabettos Hill in Athens, which rises 300 meters (908 feet) above sea level. Its waters then flowed through the Agora of ancient Athens to the archaeological site of Kerameikos, an ancient cemetery, where its bed is still visible.

The Ancient Agora of Athens

In ancient Greek times, the Agora of Athens served as the commercial, social, and political hub of the entire city, where an open-air market would be also be held at certain intervals.

It was the best place for citizens to meet up and to debate about the future of the city and any of the many other issues of the day.

Various temples built to worship the Greek gods surrounded the Agora, which meant that this space also functioned as a vital religious center.

The Ancient Agora now

Although most of the buildings in the Agora are unfortunately not well preserved, some of the most prominent buildings, including the Stoa of Attalos, an ancient “department store” which currently houses the Ancient Agora Museum, have been beautifully reconstructed.

The Agora is also home to the Temple of Hephaestus, who was the god of craftsmen. This building, one of the best-preserved temples of ancient Greece, was constructed between 449 and 415 BC.

The ancient Agora is without a doubt one of the most important landmarks in the capital. Although most of the buildings in the area have been terribly damaged over the millennia, this site’s historic importance makes it a must-see for all visitors to Greece.

Kerameikos, Athens’ Ancient Cemetery

One of the most important — but least visited — archaeological sites in Athens is Kerameikos, the ancient cemetery of Athens, which was in continuous use from the ninth century BC until Roman times.

Before the area was made into a cemetery, a number of pottery workshops existed there, leading the area to be named Kerameikos, from “keramos,” which means “pottery” in Greek.

The neighborhood was split into two parts by the ancient walls of Athens, the so-called Themistoclean Walls.

The outer part, situated outside the city walls, was made into a cemetery, but the inner section continued to be an inhabited area.

Modern archaeological excavations of the area began in 1870; the German Archaeological Institute of Athens has been in charge of the excavations from 1913 until the present day.

Over the decades, archaeologists have unearthed temple columns, marble statues and funeral offerings as well as thousands of tombs and the remains of various public buildings.

One thousand additional tombs, dating from the 4th and 5th century BC, were found during the works for the construction of Kerameikos Metro Station.

Visitors can see all the fascinating archaeological discoveries at a small museum located next to the entrance of the site.

The Tzistarakis Mosque

Located just to the right of Monastiraki station, the Mosque of Tzistarakis Aga stands as a symbol of the days of Ottoman rule over the city of Athens.

Tzistarakis was the one-time Ottoman ruler of Athens who made the fateful decision to build a mosque in 1759 on the square of the Bazaar (market), as this square was previously known.

Legend has it that Tzistarakis ordered that an ancient column from the Temple of Zeus be destroyed and made into plaster to whitewash the walls of his mosque.

However, a terrible plague devastated the city the next year, and the city’s populace accused Tzistarakis of causing the sudden breakout of the disease.

According to ancient Greek folk tradition, all ancient artifacts are imbued with spirits, and they should never be disturbed — for any reason.

As they saw it, Tzistarakis’ decision to destroy the columns angered the spirits, who took revenge by sending a plague upon the city.

In the end, the Ottoman ruler was arrested by an order of the Sultan and he was sentenced to death by decapitation.

After the modern Greek state was established, the Mosque was turned into a storage room and an armory — and it was even used as a prison at one point.

Since its restoration in 1915, it has functioned as a museum for handicrafts, and since 1975 it has exhibited a collection of early 20th century pottery from Greece, Cyprus, and Ottoman and modern Turkey.

Hadrian’s Library

Hadrian’s Library, which is found right next to the Tzistarakis Mosque, is the most impressive ancient building to be found in all of Monastiraki.

Part of the ambitious construction program of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the library was built in the second century AD.

When finished, it was one of the most lavishly-decorated buildings of ancient Athens and was the largest library in the city.

The back wall of the library was where the most precious books and scrolls were kept. The vast complex also included reading rooms and auditoriums, and featured a long reflecting pool in its center, creating a serene environment which was suitable for the building’s function.

Unfortunately, in 267 AD the invasion of an East Germanic tribe named the Herulians resulted in the destruction of the building, and the Athenians never succeeded in restoring the library to its former glory.

The Monastery of Pantanassa

A small church dedicated to the Virgin Mary Pantanassa also lies on the corner of Monastiraki Square.

Scholars debate on the exact date when the church was built, but the prevalent theory indicates that it was constructed in the 10th century.

The small Byzantine chapel devoted to the Virgin Mary “Pantanassa” (the Universal Queen) is all that remains of a convent which existed until the time of Greek Independence, where the actual open square now lies; hence the name Monastiraki (meaning “Little monastery”).

The small church, which functioned as a Roman Catholic chapel during the reign of the Germanic people called the Franks in the 13th and 14th centuries, was also the private property of a Venetian nobleman at one time.

The Byzantine church’s appearance was drastically changed by an extensive restoration program in the seventeenth century.

In the recent past, the church was restored as much as possible to its initial form and it still operates as one of the most ancient and historic churches in the city of Athens.

From huge libraries to ancient rivers, cursed mosques, and millennia-year-old churches, Monastiraki Square is undoubtedly a place of enormous historical importance and great beauty.

Choose a free guided tour, or just wander around by yourself and explore the fascinating history this amazing Athens neighborhood has to offer.

Biden Announces January 2022 Deadline for Corporate Vaccine Mandate

Joe Biden announced on Thursday that his new vaccine mandate for companies with over 100 workers will be place starting on January 4, 2022.

The mandate, which Biden first announced in September, will affect over 100 million workers in the United States.

Greece Accused of Limiting Press Freedom in Combating Fake News

Greece has been accused of limiting the freedom of the press freedom after the government earlier in the week brought before Parliament changes to the penal law that foresees heavy penalties for media that are deemed to spread fake news.

Greek Cuisine Program Kicks Off at the University of Nevada

Greek cuisine was recently introduced as a standalone program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) which announced the establishment of the National Hellenic Society Culinary Legacy Fund to promote Hellenic heritage, culture, and cuisine to culinary arts students.

The initiative for the program belongs to The National Hellenic Society (NHS), a non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating, celebrating, and passing on Hellenic heritage.

The program will run as part of the Food and Beverage Program within the UNLV’s world-renowned William F. Harrah College of Hospitality.

​Stowe Shoemaker, dean of the College, and his team hosted a reception for NHS members and guests attending the annual NHS Heritage Weekend event in celebration of the launch of the Fund.

NHS Guests included Her Excellency, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, Greece’s Ambassador to the U.S., David Horner, President of the American College of Greece, Alexander Zagoreos, Chair of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Nancy Papaioannou, President of Atlantic Bank, George Marcus, John Calamos, and Drake Behrakis, NHS Co-Founders, and NHS members from all over the U.S.

Master Chef Diane Kochilas launches Greek cuisine classes

The Fund’s initial program is the NEWS Program (NHS Epicurean Workshop Series) with Master Chef Diane Kochilas, star of My Greek Table, to kick off the NEWS Program. Chef Kochilas was thrilled to have the opportunity to teach the College’s hospitality students about wellness and other benefits associated with the Greek Mediterranean diet in several classes held over two days at the College.

The NHS will help bring other chefs, culinarians, and experts that will impart their insights into the Greek Mediterranean diet, culture, traditions, and lifestyle to students.

NHS Chair, Drake Behrakis emphasized NHS focus on its effort to pass on this important aspect of our Hellenic heritage and culinary legacy with students enrolled in the nation’s leading academic centers of hospitality.

“The kouzina plays an important role in our lives, where family, friends, and colleagues gather to engage in dialogue, reflect, laugh, and enjoy a wonderful meal in the spirit of parea/kinship. We look forward to collaborating to promote wellness and all the benefits of the Greek Mediterranean diet and to share Hellenic philoxenia/hospitality with the College’s students in hopes they will bring that spirit to others as they advance in their career paths throughout the U.S. and beyond,” Behrakis said.

​“We are grateful to be working on such a unique project with such amazing partners,”  Dean Shoemaker noted..

“Collaborating with the NHS means we’re able to give students a rich understanding of Greek culture and cuisine—exposure that helps these young people not only grow as hospitality professionals but also citizens of the world.”

Greece Launches Project to Turn Halki Island “Green”

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis launched on Friday the GR-eco project on the island of Halki, scheduled to turn the island “green”.

Greek American Physician Helped Develop Merck Corona Pill

A Greek-American, Dr. Nick Kartsonis is the Senior Vice President in charge of global clinical trials at Merck Research Laboratories, the company that has developed the first pill authorized to combat the coronavirus.

Merck pharmaceuticals developed the first antiviral pill against the coronavirus, approved on Thursday in the UK.