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Coordinating teacher: Realized by: Adam Mădălina

 Lect. Univ. Dr. Chiper Sorina Croitoriu Aleandra Maria

Dobrea Sergiu Alin

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ContentsChapter I. Historical background......................................................................................3

Chapter II. Cyprus' cuture.............................................................................................. 5

2.1. Religion........................................................................................................52.2. Cyprus Traditions and Customs...........................................................................6

2.3. Cultural dimensions.........................................................................................8

Chapter III. Cyprus' tourism........................................................................................... 9

3.1. Paphos................................................................................................................ 9

3.2. egends.......................................................................................................11

3.3. imassol......................................................................................................14

3.!. "yia #apa.................................................................................................... 15

3.$. Protaras.......................................................................................................16

3.%. #icosia........................................................................................................16

3.&. arnaka.......................................................................................................17

Chapter I. The economy o( Cyprus...............................................................................18

)ebography*............................................................................................................ 20

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Chapter &. #i,torical bac-ground

Cyprus is the third largest island in the +editerranean ,ith an area o( -.2$1 suare

kilometers. It lies in the north/eastern corner o( the 0ast +editerranean basin at the meeting

 point o( three continents / 0urope "sia and "(rica / a (act ,hich has added considerably to

the island's importance and deelopment.

  ince early times Cyprus has had an eent(ul history mostly the result o( itsgeographical position. It appeared (or the (irst time in the history o( ciilisation in the &th

millennium 4.C. in the 13th century 4.C. the +ycenean 5reeks came (or this (irst time to

Cyprus as merchants and immigrants. They settled and they introduced the 5reek language

and culture both o( ,hich hae been presered to this day. "t the end o( the !th century 4.C.

Cyprus became part o( the 6ingdom o( "le7ander the 5reat.

8uring the (irst century 4.C. it became a proince o( the 5reat Roman 0mpire and

remained as such untilthe !th century ".8. ,hen it ,as included in the eastern part o( the

Roman 0mpire. This marks the beginning o( the 4y9antine period ,hich lasted until the 12th

century ".8. ,hen during the Crusades 6ing Richard Coeur de ion conuer edtheisland.

erysoon ho,eer Cyprus came undertherule o( the usignan (amily ,hich remained and

ruled Cyprus until the 1$th century.

In 1!:- Cyprus became part o( the Republic o( enice and in 1$&1 it ,as conuered

 by the ;ttomans. Cyprus remained under ;ttoman rule together ,ith the 5reek mainland and

the other 5reek islands (or centuries. Ho,eer a(ter the 1:21 5reek uprising and the

liberation struggle the arious parts o( 5reece gradually attained independence. Cyprus also

 participated in the 5reek )ar o( Independence and a large number o( Cypriots (ought and (ell

during this ,ar particularly in the battle o( "thens in 1:2:. 1

"t the beginning o( 5reece's )ar o( Independence a number o( 4ishops in Cyprus

,ere hanged by the Turkish occupation authorities haing been accused o( supporting thereolution. The uestion o( the incorporation o( Cyprus in the5reek state ,as raised soon

a(ter 1:3< but it did not become possible and Cyprus remained under ;ttoman rule until

1:&:. In that year the e7pansionist policy o( Tsarist Russia caused the Turkst ocede Cyprus to

4ritain ,hich promised to help Turkey in the eent o( an attack by Russia on certain

 bordering proinces.

The Turco/4ritish agreement ,as concluded in complete disregard o( the ,ishesand

interests o( the Cypriot people ,ho demandedincorporation o( theirisland as part o( 5reece.

"t theoutbreak o( the=irst )orld )ar Cyprus,asanne7edtothe 4ritish 0mpire and in 1-2$ it

,as(ormallydeclared a 4ritish Cro,n Colony. 4ythattimeTurkeyhad undertheTreaty o( ausanne o( 1-23 "rticle 1% renounced all claim to Cyprus and by "rticle 2& o( the same

Treaty diested itsel( o( the e7ercise o( anypo,er or >urisdiction in political legislatie or 

administratie matters oer the nationals o( Cyprus.

)hen Cyprus ,as declared a 4ritish Cro,n Colony the Turkish population o( the

island / descendants o( members o( the Turkish occupation (orce and e7patriates (rom Turkey

/ ,ere inited to choose bet,een repatriation to Turkey or permanent settlement in Cyprus

and a number o( them chose to remain in Cyprus. "t that time it had neer been intended or 

e7pected that the Turkish minority ,ould become the arbiters o( the country's destiny. =rom

1:&: ,hen Cyprus ,ashanded oer to 4ritain until "pril 1-$$ ,hen the struggle (or 

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liberation (rom 4ritish rule ,as started by the 5reek Cypriots the Turks in Cyprus

intermingled ,ith the 5reek people and lied in peace and harmony ,ith them.2

In 1-$: 5reek Cypriot nationalist leader "rchbishop +akarios began calling (or 

Cypriot independence rather than union ,ith 5reece. 8uring this period Turkish Cypriots

 began demanding that the island be partitioned bet,een the 5reek and Turkish populations.

Cyprus became an independent nation on "ug. 1% 1-%< a(ter 5reek and Turkish Cypriots

agreed on a constitution ,hich e7cluded both the possibility o( partition as ,ell as o( union,ith 5reece. +akarios became the country's (irst president.

=ighting bet,een 5reek and Turkish Cypriots (laredup in theearly 1-%<s and a B#

 peacekeeping (orce ,as sent to the island in 1-%$. ;n uly 1$ 1-&! "rchbishop +akarios

,as oerthro,n in a military coup led by the Cypriot #ational 5uard. ;n uly 2< Turkey

inaded Cyprus asserting its right to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority. Turkey gained

control o( 3<D o( northern Cyprus and displaced some 1:<<<< 5reek Cypriots. " B#/

sponsored cease/(ire ,as established on uly 22 and Turkish troops ,ere permitted to remain

in the north. In 8ec. 1-&! +akariosa gain assumed the presidency. The (ollo,ing year the

island ,as partitioned into 5reek and Turkish territories separated by a B#/occupied bu((er 

9one.

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Chapter &&. Cypru, cuture

(.*. Religion

Cyprus as ,hole is comprised o( many di((erent religions yet in terms o( ma>orities

there are only t,o. In the southern part (or the most part the ma>ority F&: DG are considered as

 being (ollo,ers o( the 5reek ;rthodo7 Church and its (aith. In the north the ma>ority o( the population can be considered as being +uslims and thus (ollo,ers o( Islam F1: DG. The rest

F! DG are the smaller religious groups o( the "nglicans Roman and atin Christians

+aronites "rmenian ;rthodo7 5reek 0angelics e,s and others.

!ree- %rthodoy

The 5reek Cypriots make a part o( The 0astern ;rthodo7 Communion and the 5reek 

;rthodo7y means the right belie( and do not recogni9e the Catholic Pope but instead only a

Patriarch o( Constantinople as their leader. It represents a body o( Christians ,hose origins

e7tend directly back to esus and his "postles ia unbroken "postolic uccession. Its

doctrines and (oundation ,ere attributed to aint 4arnabas Paul and +ark F!$ ".8.G.Ho,eer a(ter thousand years o( the e7istence the di((erences made clear bet,een the

)estern and 0astern Roman 0mpire and led into the 5reat chism in 1<$! "8 splitting the

Roman Catholics (rom the 0astern ;rthodo7.

=rom 5reece it ,as rapidly spread throughout Cyprus the proo( o( ,hich is the

number o( ;rthodo7 churches scattered oer the island in #orth Cyprus most o( them

conerted to mosues or museums. There is still the "postolos "ndreas +onastery in #orth

Cyprus isited by 5reek Cypriots t,ice a year. In return (ollo,ing the agreement reached by

the 5reek and the Turkish Cypriots it allo,s both island and (oreign +uslims to make a

 pilgrimage to Hala ultan Tekke in outh Cyprus. +ost o( the orthodo7 religious (easts in

outh Cyprus are oerlapped ,ith the public holidays.

&,lam

In the north part o( Cyprus Islam is considered as the main religion. +ost o( the

Turkish Cypriots liing in the #orth and in the outh are +uslims and (ollo,ers o( Islam.

Ho,eer they are (ar (rom being considered as strict (ollo,ers o( Islam. isitors to the Island

are o(ten surprised by the ,ay they lead their lies since preconceptions o( Islamic societies

o(ten lead to misconceptions o( Cyprus and more speci(ically the #orth ,hich is o(ten

re(erred to as an Islamic tate. "s in Turkey the secular nature o( both societies has led to the

separation o( church (rom state For in this case mosue (rom stateG. 4ut it is ,orth noting that

,hile Turkish Cypriots normally do not attend mosue or ,ear religious attire they obserereligious holidays.

Anglican Church

The term J"nglicanK is associated ,ith the people and churches that (ollo, the

established religious traditions deeloped by the Church o( 0ngland. Ho,eer the

categori9ation o( Catholic and Protestant a((iliation is o(ten rather con(using. )hile many

"nglicans consider themseles (ollo,ing the Protestant tradition many others especially

"nglo/Catholics do not regard themseles as being Protestants. "nglo/Catholic people use

many traditional Catholic practices and are bound to the deotion to the 4lessed irgin +ary.

The "nglican Church is considered both Catholic Fstressing its linkage ,ith the

ancient ChurchG and Re(ormed@Protestant Fas this Church re>ects the teaching o( Roman

Catholic Church and do not accept the authority o( the Pope and thus became kno,n as

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ProtestantG. Ho,eer the deelopment o( "nglican Church as a distinctie Church is deeply

rooted ,ith the Protestant Re(ormation.

Latin Catholic Church o/ Cypru,

The Christian Church ,hose isible head is the Pope currently 4enedict LI.

(ollo,s the teaching o( Mone holy catholic and apostolic Church by esus ChristK. )orld,ide

the Church is hierarchically diided into >urisdictional areas usually haing the territorial

 basis and the typical (orm o( these is ,hat is usually called in the atin Church a diocese inthe 0ast an eparchy headed by a bishop or eparch kno,n in the atin Church as a diocesan

4ishop.

Maronite Church

"lso called "rabic Christians +aronites came to Cyprus (rom ebanon ,here the

community is much bigger. "ckno,ledging the supremacy o( pope ho,eer the +aronites

hae al,ays been culturally similar to the 5reek ;rthodo7 +a>ority. )hat is le(t o( the

6ormakiti+aronite community no, lies in the illage o((icially renamed 6orucam in the

6yrenia range and there are also other minorities in the island.

Armenian %rthodoy

The church agrees in (aith ,ith the Copts and acobites ho,eer it does not make

communion ,ith them. "rmenians made Cyprus their homeland mainly during 1-1$/2<.

8uring the 1-&! Turkish inasion the "rmenian community lost its monasteries schools as

,ell as churches and other properties. To retain their identity "rmenians established their 

churches and schools that ,ere built near to each other..

(.(. Cypru, 0radition, and Cu,tom,

ike eerything else in Cyprus religion is split along the 5reen ine. The northerners

are mostly unni +uslim the southerners 5reek ;rthodo7. =ood too re(lects the diide* in

the #orth you'll (ind mostly Turkish cuisineN in the Republic 5reek. 4ut ,hereer you are in

Cyprus you'll come across kle(tiko Foen/baked lambG and me9edes Fdips salads and other 

appeti9ersG. Cyprus is also (amous (or its (ruit ,hich the goernment protects ,ith a ban on

imported products. Eou'll (ind stra,berries stone (ruit melons prickly pear citrus and

grapes.

Cypriots are ery proud o( their cultural heritage ,hich stretches back more than

-<<< years. Ho,eer you'll probably (ind that Cyprus today is more concerned ,ith the

eents o( the last 2< years than those o( a millennium ago. The north o( the island is busy re/

creating itsel( in the image o( Turkey changing names to Turkish and embracing the li(e and

culture o( its northern neighbour. The Republic is also trying to create an independent identity

and many places in the Republic hae recently been renamed as ,ell.

The traditions and customs o( a Cyprus culture can best be obsered in ceremonies

and on special occasions. 4et,een the Turkish Cypriot communities some o( these are

,edding ceremonies (east days FRama9anG birth children starting school etc. "nother 

important characteristic o( the Turkish Cypriots is their hospitality. In the past the importance

o( the guest ,as relatie to their social status and their age. ering the guests usually started

,ith co((ee or sherbets especially those o( honey rose and carob. =ruit paste sering ,as also

o( importance.Cyprus culture is also re(lected in the rich (olk art o( the island. "ge/old cra(ts handed

do,n (rom one generation to another are (aith(ully carried on to this day by skil(ul hands and

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nimble (ingers (ashioning handicra(ts both decoratie and use(ul that ,ould grace any

home.

It is probably no surprise ,ith a history so long that Cyprus is remarkably rich in

culture. Its importance has been honored by B#0C; ,hich has included nine o( the island's

4y9antine mountain churches and the entire to,n o( 6ato Pa(os in its )orld Cultural Heritage

ist. )hereer you go in Cyprus you are reminded o( a strong Cyprus tradition that is kept

alie (rom generation to generation through the many eents ,hich are celebrated.+any Cyprus (olk traditions such as the Carnial and 6ataklysmos F=estial o( the

=loodG hae oertones o( ancient themes. Carnial =estiities take place $< days be(ore 5reek 

Christian ;rthodo7 0aster and is the beginning o( ent a period o( (asting be(ore 0aster. The

centre o( Carnial (estiities is emesos but some (estiities take place in arnaka and Pa(os

also.

The biggest eent takes place in arnaka. "t the heart o( the (estial is a >oy(ul

 procession to the sea ,here people sprinkle each other ,ith ,ater. )hether this is in memory

o( #oah's surial o( the (lood the coming ashore o( resurrected t. a9arus / or a celebration

o( the birth o( "phrodite / is sometimes debated but in any eent 6ataklysmos is a spirited

and uniuely Cypriot (estial.

;n une 2: and 2- t. Paul 's =east is (eted in Pa(os ,here the "postle >ourneyed

a(ter leaing erusalem .

0ery eptember the )ine =estial takes place in emesos a tribute to the (ruit o( the

ine as it gro,s and thries in Cyprus . )ith ten days o( (ree/(lo,ing locally produced ,ines

8ionysus ,ould surely approe.

Cyprus also has rich musical and dance traditions uite distinctie (rom those o( 

5reece. Instruments that typically accompany (olk dances are the iolin and laouto a lute

,ith (our double strings played ,ith the uill o( an eagle or ulture. +any Cyprus dances are

 per(ormed (ace/to/(ace and as a suite. 4oth men and ,omen are ery nimble/(ooted and thedances o(ten allude to illage courtship rituals / and are there(ore most popular at ,edding

ceremonies in Cyprus.

Hardly a ,eek goes by in Cyprus ,ithout a celebration o( some sort ,hether it is a

colour(ul (estial or homage to a saint on one o( the numerous 'name' days. The 'Panigiri' a

traditional open/air (ete takes place mainly in the Cyprus illages on the occasion o( a saint's

name day. 0aster the most important 5reek ;rthodo7 religious eent is celebrated ,ith

solemnity >oy and hope.

The 5reek ;rthodo7 Church has been the main stay o( religion in Cyprus since the 1st

century ".8. and in a society ,here the church continues to play an important role old style

alues hae been maintained and the (amily unit retains close/knit ualities that keep

colour(ul Cyprus customs alie and underline the ,armhearted character o( Cyprus .

Carnial is one o( the best kno,n Cypriot celebrations along ,ith '"nthestiria' the

pring =lo,er (estial and '6ataklysmos' / the (estial o( the =lood / ,hich coincides ,ith

Pentecost. Throughout the year there are also e7hibitions concerts drama and (olk (estials.

)hateer the present/day situation may be Cyprus is littered ,ith reminders o( the

island's history. Relics (rom eery era / 5reek temples Roman mosaics and 1$th/century

(rescoes / in(luence the artists o( today. +any Cyprus illages speciali9e in a particular art

(orm and as you trael around Cyprus you'll see pottery siler and copper,are basket

,eaing tapestry and e(kara's (amous lace,ork.

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(.1. Cultural dimen,ion,

2o3er di,tance in Cypru,

o ,e see that this tiny +editerranean island has had an almost endless series o( ,ars

conuests and goernance in di((erent cultures. "ll o( them hae made their mark on li(e here

in Cyprus and the uniue atmosphere o( the locals' style. 4ecause o( these conuerors Cyprus

 became the cosmopolitan and beauti(ul island it is today.ocated in the south o( Turkey north o( 0gypt and southeast o( 5reece Cyprus is no,

an independent state ,hich >oined the 0B in 2<<! and adopted the euro on 1 anuary 2<<:.

Interesting Cyprus and +oldoa are the only countries ,hich (reely and democratically

elected communist goernment. 4ut Cypriots are by nature (ree and unstoppable. It can be

said that since the &<s there ,as a constant rialry bet,een 5reek Cypriots and Turkish

Cypriots. In 1-&! there ,as a coup attempt by 5reek Cypriots supported by sections o( the

5reek army sought to anne7 the island to 5reece. "(ter this moe Turkey inaded the island

and created an independent political entity in the north o( the island ,hich declared its

independence in 1-:3 as the Turkish Republic o( #orthern Cyprus. In 2<<! a B# plan to

reunite Cypria ,as accepted by the Turkish Cypriots but re>ected by the 5reek Cypriots.

4et,een the t,o countries / #orth Cyprus there is a bu((er 9one controlled by B# (orces

today.

Cyprus Republic as it is kno,n today o,ns -&D o( the island 4ritain keeps control

o( 3 percent o( the island. In (act the island today is diided into ! parts* %<D o( the island is

controlled by the Cypriot authorities 3$D controlled by the autonomous goernment o( 

 #orthern Cyprus and the remaining $D controlled by 4ritain and the Bnited #ations in the

demilitari9ed 9one. #orthern Cyprus is recogni9ed only by Turkey o((icially today.3

"lthough constantly they hae been in dispute oer control and soereignty Cypriots

are hospitable people calm and ,arm. +oreoer both 5reeks and Turks are initing people,ho hae deeloped an e7traordinary tour. o Cypriots are per(ect hosts used o(ten to receie

at home or at the table ,ith strangers ,ho share co((ee and olies. +ost o( them speak 5reek

 but 0nglish is ,idespread in the island. ;biously i( you are in the #orth especially the

locals speak Turkish.

Ma,culinity report

This indicator represents the male population in the number o( (emale population

e7pressed as a percentage.

4ecause li(e e7pectancy is higher (or ,omen than (or men ,omen elderly constitute a

signi(icant percentage o( the total elderly population and the total population.

8uring 2<<$/2<1< the population o( %< years and older report masculinity is

(aorable (ollo,ing countries* Ireland F:!.<DG Cyprus F:3.-DG ,eden F:3.!DG and lo,est

in atia F$1.3DG.

8uring 2<<$/2<1< the population o( :< years and older report masculinity is

(aorable (ollo,ing countries* 5reece F%&.2DG Cyprus F%&.<DG ,eden F$&.3DGRomania

F$%.3DG and lo,est in atia F1-.:DG.

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Chapter &&&. Cypru, touri,m

1.*. 2apho,

Paphos the capital o( ,estern Cyprus has some serious historical clout. ite o( the

ast (ourth/century 4C Tombs o( the 6ings set high on a cli(( aboe the sparkling sea as ,ell

as a dramatic 4y9antine castle and (ine mosaics it's also kno,n as the birthplace o( thegoddess "phrodite. The population o( 2&<<< is s,elled by a summer in(lu7 o( beach/bound

0nglish 5erman and candinaian isitors. " beauti(ul old harbor a,aits ,hile modern

hotels and restaurants stretch along the promenade.

Paphos ,ith its pleasant harbour and medieal (ort combines a cosmopolitan holiday

resort spectacular countryside and historical sites. The region o((ers the possibility o( 

en>oying both sea and mountains as ,ell as getting a taste o( the island's culture ,ith its

many archaeological sites.

=eel the romance in the air in the land ,here "phrodite the ancient 5reek goddess o( 

loe and beauty once roamed. ,im in the sea by the rocks kno,n as Petra tou Romiou

,here she ,as belieed to hae risen (rom the ,aes make a pilgrimage to her sanctuary at

6ouklia or isit the grotto near Polis ,here she ,as supposed to hae bathed. The Paphos

region is the per(ect place to celebrate a ,edding or go (or your honeymoon.

 Paphos is located on the south,est coast o( the island and is sheltered (rom the north by the

Troodos mountains. It has a temperate climate one o( the healthiest in the ,hole

+editerranean.

In the Paphos region o( Cyprus you can bask in sunshine all the year round and (eel

the ,armth o( a ,elcoming people ,ith a reputation (or hospitality. plash about in the

sparkling ,arm ,aters o( the +editerranean in the summerN marel at the splendours o( 

nature as the (ields are carpeted in ,ild (lo,ers in the springN e7plore ancient sites in per(ecttemperatures in the autumnN and in the mild ,inter keep (it ,ith a round or t,o o( gol( or an

inigorating game o( tennis.

2apho,: "uropean Capital o/ Culture 4()*56

  The logo o( Paphos candidacy ,as designed in such a ,ay so as to be interpreted in

many and di((erent ,ays. =irst o( all it represents the sun that under its light the island o( 

Cyprus prospers. "t the same time though it also portrays an artistic schema ,hich attracts a

multicultural audience and in ,hich Paphos is (eatured as a mosaic o( modern culture. The

ariations o( the orange color are the symbol o( the energy and the ,armth o( both the city o( 

Paphos and its people. In addition the bottom part o( the logo is the representation o( the,hole city ,hile the small (ragments that surround it represent the di((erent cultures and

 people that ,ill >ointly contribute to this e((ort. +ore simply it is a cultural core ,hich the

more it receies the more it re(lects the energy that surrounds it.

In its bid (or the title o( the 0uropean Capital o( Culture 2<1& Paphos relied upon the

abilities the enthusiasm and the passion o( its citi9ens in addition to the strengths o( the city

itsel(. )orking together in collaboration the city and its people together hae succeeded in

achieing the title o( the 0uropean Capital o( Culture 2<1&.

This is a great honour (or Paphos and (or their country but this responsibility brings,ith it a heay load. "s the city chosen to be a J0uropean Capital o( CultureK they must

contribute to (urthering 0uropean culture and common 0uropean consciousness by

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highlighting their o,n uniue characteristics. " bridge o( communication and mutual

understanding bet,een 5reek and Turkish Cypriots has been established ,hich they ,ill

e7tend to other ethnic communities as ,ell. 07tending their reach they shall open ne, roads

o( cultural coe7istence and creatie collaboration ,ith the citi9ens and cultures o( 0urope and

 beyond.

Paphos can deseredly respond to this ambitious pro>ect and become the most

hospitable capital o( 0urope. It suggests making the best o( its open/air sites by turning them

into an Open-Air Factory of Culture since it is a,are o( the challenge that it ,ill (ace. I( it

takes adantage o( its archeological sites its suares its streets its beaches its plays and its

other artistic eents it can bring the cultural actiities o( the city closer to its citi9ens.

J Linking Continents, Bridging CulturesK. This dynamic MmottoK is the main

characteristic o( the Paphos candidacy. Inspired by its geographical position since it has

al,ays been the crossroad o( 0astern +editerranean and by its modern multicultural reality

Paphos aspires to become the (irst 0uropean Capital o( Culture ,hich ,ill link the 0ast and

the )est bridge people and cultures and it ,ill also be a place o( cultural collaboration and peace(ul coe7istence.

Paphos atractions*

0he 2apho, A7uarium

The Paphos "uarium inites you to enter a mysterious under,ater ,orld to

e7perience li(e in the (ascinating realms o( the deep. #eer be(ore in Cyprus has there been an

opportunity like this (or learning about the mysteries o( marine li(e. #o, you can admire a

spectacular array o( colour(ul (ish (rom di((erent oceans seas and riers around the globe.

tep into a ,ondrous ,atery ,orld in the heart o( Paphos. The "uarium proides a

uniue undersea setting o( skill(ully illuminated caes and rippling ,aterN a marine ambience

so inentie as to be impressiely li(elike. ea and (resh,ater (ish comprise the superb range

o( species on ie, at the "uarium ,here no e7pense has been spared in recreating their 

natural enironment as (aith(ully as possible.

+aking (ull use o( the latest marine technology the "uarium boasts euipment (rom

the Bnited tates that includes special (ilters and up/to/the minute ,ater circulation pumps.

+any types o( (ish (rom the +editerranean / both common and uncommon / and e7uisite

 >e,el bright tropical species disport themseles in &2 spacious enironmentally (riendlytanks one o( ,hich is (or crocodiles.

" isit to the Paphos "uarium is the per(ect (amily outing. "n e7cellent restaurant on

the premises oerlooks the to,n's picturesue port and its brooding castle and there's a gi(t

shop ,ithin the comple7 too.

The "uarium is located in the heart o( do,nto,n Paphos the popular ,est coast

resort to,n o( Cyprus. 4athed in centuries o( history Paphos ranks as a eritable treasure

troe o( antiuities some o( ,hich are still being unearthed in ongoing archaeological

e7caations.

Acropoli, 8 %deon

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The ;deon ,hich is one o( the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus ,as

 built in the second century and shaped entirely (rom per(ectly he,n limestone rocks. To the

south o( the ;deon are the remains o( the Roman temple o( "sclepius 5od o( +edicine and

to the north are remains o( ancient to,n ,alls. #e7t to the ;deon and near to the #e, Paphos

ighthouse is a rocky mound ,hich is said to hae been the "cropolis o( the to,n. ;deon is

not only a tourist attraction but is one o( the best amphitheatre's to stage lie musical and

theatrical per(ormances.

1.(. Legend,

0he birth and li/e o/ Aphrodite

  "phrodite ,as the daughter o( Branus and sea. he emerged (rom the (oam o( the sea

at Paphos and ,ent to ;lympus accompanied by 0ros and Pothos to claim her place among

the assembly o( the 5ods. "t ;lympus they named her "phrodite Fborn o( sea/(oamG Cypris

Fthe land she (irst appearedG. he ,as the goddess o( beauty >oy and laughter ueen o( all

aspects o( loe guardian o( young girls and goerness o( the (ertility o( animals and plants.

Her symbols included rabbits sparro,s goats pomegranates and apples.!

"phrodite ,as married to the ugly and lame Hephaestos the god o( (ire and patron o( 

all those ,ho ,orked in metal. He ,as the greatest o( all cra(tsmen and his ,edding gi(t to

"phrodite ,as a piece o( land ,ith gold (ence palaces o( gold and precious stones. Ohe land

,as on a mountain o( Cyprus inaccessible to mortals ,ith a s,eet climate ,here the soil is so

(ertile it produces ,ithout being cultiated and ,here there are t,o springs among green

(oliage. Ohis place ,as called Jthe 4aths o( "phroditeK.

)hen Hephaestos learned (rom the sun that "phrodite ,as betraying him ,ith "res

Fthe god o( ,arG he set p a trap to catch them. He put a strong and inisible net on top o( the bed and caught them ,hile they ,ere making loe. ;nce they ,ere caught Hephaestos cried

out and ,oke up the other gods and brought them to the scene.

 Ohe gods laughed and >oked but Poseidon urged Hephaestos to let them go telling him that

"res ,ould pay the adultery (ine. Hephaestos denied the suggestion saying that "res ,ould

(lee and not pay the (ine. ;nly ,hen Poseidon o((ered to pay the money himsel( did

Hephaestus let them go.

  Ohe loers got to their (eet and departed in pain as their limbs ,ere sti(( and their 

muscles cramped (rom their long entrapment. "phrodite returned to her birthplace Paphos and

the 4aths o( "phrodite ,here the three graces bathed her and anointed her ,ith oils and a rare

 per(ume ,hose aroma it is said neer (ades. They restored her radiance and beauty not

kno,ing she ,as ,ith child Harmonia.

2ygmalion and !alatea

  Pygmalion ,ho lied at "mathus ,as dedicated to his ,ork as a sculptor and ,as not

interested in ,omen. "phrodite took pity in him and took the (orm o( the most beauti(ul

,oman and appeared be(ore him in a dream. )hen Pygmalion a,oke he recalled his dream

and set out to care this loely creature. He created a statue made o( iory and (ell in loe

,ith it to the e7tent that he ,ould talk to it and gather (lo,ers (or it.

4 ???http*@@,,,.isitpa(os.org.cy 

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;n the day o( "phrodite's (estial at "mathus Pygmalion took ,ith him an o((ering o( 

great alue and prayed that his statue be gien li(e. "phrodite ,as moed and helped him by

granting him his (aor. )hen he returned home Pygmalion (ound the statue ,as alie named

her 5alatea and asked her to be his ,i(e. 5alatea accepted and nine months later they had a

daughter named Paphos.

Cinyra,  Paphos the daughter o( Pygmalion and 5alatea married a yrian named andocus

,ho ,as at the time liing in Cyprus but they built their home in the land o( Cilicia and it

,as there that they had their son Cinyras.

  "t some point Cilicia ,as struck by (amine so Cinyras and his (riends set sail in the

hope o( discoering some more (ertile land thus coming to the island o( Cyprus on the coast

,here "phrodite ,as ,ashed ashore.

 

Pleased ,ith the land they had (ound they built a to,n named Pa(os Fa(ter his motherG

and in the centre they built the temple o( "phrodite ,ho they belieed had guided them to her 

 birthplace. Cinyras ,as the (irst king and high/priest o( Paphos a to,n that (lourished and

,as peace(ul.

Cinyras set up a Council o( #obles to proide stability. The po,er ested in the

council ,as considerableN it could i( it ,ished eto the throne appoint the successor or een

in e7treme circumstances depose the incumbent. Ho,eer e7ecutie decisions ,ere le(t to

the 6ing. 6ing Cinyras had (our sons "donis "maraus 6ypros and Curius and si7 daughters

+yrrha ;resideke aogora 4reisis 0nna and aodice.

Adoni,  "donis looked and behaed like an immortal. He ,as the loer o( "phrodite >ust like

"res Fthe god o( ,arG. 4eing >ealous "res turned himsel( into a ,ild boar and terrori9ed the

district o( Pa(os killing the inhabitants ,ith such brutality that ne,s o( this boar spread all

around the island. "donis being a hunter ignored "phrodite's ,arnings against hunting ,ild

animals and set out to stop the beast (rom killing his countrymen.

"res as a ,ild boar a,aited "donis and ran so (ast that he gathered dust around him

 blinding the young boy. The boar then attacked ,ounding "donis and le(t ,ithout trying to

help the hunter.

"phrodite heard his dying groans and rushed to the scene only to arrie too late. he

sprinkled "donis' blood ,ith nectar and the drops that (ell onto the ground turned into

anemone (lo,ers ,hose li(e is short and ,hose petals are easily shaken o(( by the bree9e.

"phrodite ,as oercome ,ith grie( and eentually begged Qeus (or the return o( her 

loer. Qeus promised to ask Persephone the ueen o( the under,orld only to reali9e that she

also had (allen in loe ,ith the young boy and ,ould not let him go. Qeus there(ore decided

that "donis could lie ,here he pleased (or (our months proided he diided the rest o( his

time bet,een the t,o goddesses. "donis chose to lie (our months ,ith Persephone and eight

,ith "phrodite.

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In Paphos the annual (estial 'dSnia ,as held on the 2$th and 2%th o( +arch

staging the death and resurrection o( "donis. The (irst day ,as to mourn the death o( the boy

and ,omen ,ould thro, (lo,ers green branches o( the myrtle tree and pots o( plants in the

sea sho,ing that they shared the grie( o( "phrodite. The second day people celebrated

"donis' resurrection by (easting.

Roc- o/ Digeni, 42etra tou Romiou6

  U strong tradition persists regarding the solitary rock north o( the =abrica hVll on the

,ay to Pa(os harbour concerning the relationship bet,een 8igenis and Rigaina. It is said that

Rigaina ,hom 8egenis desired had her house built on top o( this hill. "s in almost all (olk 

tales Rigaina ,ould only marry 8igenis i( he managed to transport ,ater (or her (rom some

distant location ,hich in this case ,as either +arokolympos or Tala. 0en though this ,as a

Herculian task 8igenis undertook it transporting the ,ater through clay conduits traces o( 

,hich can still be seen east o( Chlorakas illage. Ho,eer Rigaina did not keep her promisesomething ,hich enraged 8igenis ,ho thre, a huge rock at her (rom the +outallos area

,hich landed right in (ront o( her house. Rigaina replied ,ith eual rage thro,ing her 

spinning needle a granite stele at 8igenis ,hich landed in the (ields underneath the

+outallos rise.

#eritage o/ Agio, Agapiti-o,

  ;n the north/eastern corner o( =abrica hill lies a cae kno,n as the Cae o( "gios

"gapitikos. It is not kno,n i( there is any connection bet,een this cae and the sarcophagus

in the central suare o( Pano "rodes illage in the same district also dedicated to "gios

"gapitikos. "s in "rodes ne7t to the cae o( "gios "gapitikos once stood the cae o( "gios

+isitikos and a third cae dedicated to "gios Lorinos. The caes o( "gios +isitikos and

"gios Lorinos ho,eer hae been destroyed.

"ccording to tradition those in loe should isit the cae unobsered leae some

coins and take some earth (rom the cae ,hich they should thro, into their loed one's drink.

"s is the case ,ith "gios "gapitikos in Pano "rodes (or such an escapade to be success(ul it

should be carried out in complete secrecy ,ithout the help o( a third party.

 

Aphrodite and the 0ro9an ar  There ,as the ,edding (east o( Peleus F6ing o( ThessalyG and Thetis Fa #ymphG and

all the gods ,ere inited e7cept 0ris Fgoddess o( stri(eG because she ,as uarrelsome and

destructie. he ,as (urious at this and to spoil the (east thre, do,n a golden apple ,ith the

inscription Mto the (airestK ,hich (ell bet,een Hera "thena and "phrodite. "ll three claimed

it causing a uarrel bet,een them. Qeus interened to aoid a (ight and as no one at the (east

,anted to decide ,hich o( the goddesses desered the apple he suggested that the three

goddesses go to the (airest mortal Prince Paris o( Oroy to settle the dispute.

 

The three contestants tried to bribe Paris. Hera o((ered him ,ealth and po,er "thena,isdom and skill and "phrodite promised him the (airest mortal ,oman in the entire ,orld

(or his ,i(e. Paris chose "phrodite's o((er as beauty ,as immediate and seductie and

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a,arded the pri9e to the goddess o( beauty and loe. This gained him a (riend F"phroditeG and

t,o deadly enemies FHera and "thenaG.

  Time passed and Paris became impatient ,aiting (or his bride so he sailed o((

accompanied by "eneas Fthe son o( "phroditeG to (ind her. The ,inds took them to parta

,here 6ing +enelaus and Wueen Helen Fthe most beauti(ul ,oman in the ,orldG hospitably

,elcomed them.

  8uring their stay in parta +enelaus ,as called to attend his grand(ather's (uneral inCrete leaing Helen to entertain the guests. The ne7t morning the Tro>ans also le(t but at

night they pulled anchor and abducted Helen and her baby to take them to Oroy. "phrodite

together ,ith Peitho Fgoddess o( persuasionG and 0ros had cast a spell on Helen causing her 

to beliee that Paris ,as +enelaos.

  8uring their >ourney a iolent storm (orced them to shelter in Cyprus ,hich ,as o(( 

their course. ;nce they reached Troy 6ing Priam ,elcomed Helen into his household

grabbing the opportunity to pay o(( old scores against the 5reeks.

Xn the meantime +enelaus Vn outrage began preparations (or ,ar. His cause ,as

ackno,ledged to be >ust and all 5reece >oined to help him. "gamemnon +enelaus' brother

sent Tathybius ;dysseus and +enelaus to Cyprus to inole Cinyras o( Paphos in the ,ar.

Cinyras ho,eer sent only one ship to help and made a personal gi(t to "gamemnon Fa

magni(icent breast plate ,hose description is (ound in the IliadG to aoid grieances. 4ut the

5reeks ,ere too preoccupied ,ith their mission and thus Cyprus remained at peace and

increased in prosperity. The Tro>an )ar lasted ten years.

1.1. Lima,,ol

Cyprus' second/largest city appeals to a ,ide range o( tourists (rom those interested in

sun and sand acations to those ,ho pre(er to dele into the island's culture at its museumsand sites o( archaeological interest. This large seaside resort on "krotiri 4ay on the sunny

southern coast o((ers liely nightli(e and a sle, o( energetic (estials. " cornucopia o( ca(es

and bars lines the bustling sea(ront. "ccommodation options range (rom illas and sel(/

catering apartments to lu7urious hotels.

The skyline o( Lima,,ol 4Leme,o,6 has le(t behind ery little eidence o( its historical

 past and gien ,ay instead to a modern cosmopolitan appearance. Ho,eer the protected

ancient monuments o( the city hand oer a rich trail o( arte(acts and mythical stories.

imassol Castle The "mathus Ruins and the +osue o( 8>ami 6ebir are a (e, o( the

 beauti(ul sights ,orth isiting.

Lima,,ol Ca,tle 

There is no doubt imassol Castle occupies a dominant position in the landmark and

tourist attractions in the city. This imperial castle no, home to imassol's +edieal

+useum used to sere as a prison during the old days o( ;ttoman rule. Richard the ionheart

is said to hae married and cro,ned the ord o( Cyprus in this incredibly regal (ortress. The

castle itsel( presents an e7tremely simple archaeological ie, but the scenic gardens and an

old olie press are a remarkable sight to e7plore.

Archaeological Mu,eum

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The "rchaeological +useum in imassol is a particularly interesting sight (or art and

history loers. The museums houses arte(acts related to societal deelopment o( Cyprus

,hich include ceramics pottery and antiuities (rom the Roman period. "lso on display are

(inds (rom the #eolithic until the ate 4ron9e "ge. culptures pottery lamps and

inscriptions ,ith ancient Hellenistic and Roman koine catch the eye o( many isitors.

;ol- Art Mu,eum The +unicipal +useum o( =olk "rt is housed in a historic building donated by the

chi9a (amily. Its main purpose is to promote Cypriot (olk art and cra(t through collections

(rom the 1:<< and 1-<< centuries. ;n display are (ascinating ob>ects relating to ,oodcaring

 >e,ellery decoration tools and utensils traditional Cypriot costumes embroidery and

,eaing and bron9e arte(acts. ;ne o( the halls in the museum is especially dedicated to a

 porcelain collection by "nna 6ourea.

Municipal !arden, 8 03in Citie, 2ar-  

The +unicipal 5ardens along the coastal road hae a rich bounty o( green and shady

space ,here isitors rela7 or take a stroll do,n the path,ays. The nearby area plays host to

seeral (amily attractions like the emesos Qoo 5arden and 8inosaur Park. This also includes

a large open/air garden theatre ,here seeral eents take place throughout the year. The T,in

Cities Park on the coast embankment close to the +unicipal 5ardens presents a series o( 

 public sculptures by 5reek Cypriot and international artists.

Amathu, Ruin, 

The ancient city o( "mathus on the southern coast o( "gios Tychonas is one o( 

the oldest imperial cities on the island. There hae been many myths behind the origin o( this

city one o( them belieing in Cinyras as the city's (ounder ,hose son "donis named the citya(ter his mother "mathous. Hellenic myth ,ould hae "mathus built by one o( the sons o( 

Heracles ,ho ,as ,orshipped there. The city had a ery special place (or "phrodite the

goddess o( beauty and loe. isitors at the ruins can perceie an era that e7isted 3<<< years

ago through the mythical e7caations and arte(acts.

<olo,,i Medieval Ca,tle

The 6olossi +edieal Castle is situated in the illage o( 6olossi 11 kilometres

,est o( arnaca. " reno,ned archaeological site the castle ,as built in the 1$th century by

the 6nights o( aint ohn o( erusalem on a land gi(ted by 6ing Hugh I. 0arlier it used to be

home to a 13th century (ortress ,hose ruins are still isible in the castle. ater the castle ,as

occupied by the Richard I o( 0ngland and the 6nights Templar.

<ourion Archaeological Site 

The 6ourion "rcheological ite is a stunning archaeological e7caation

(amous (or its impressie 5reco/Roman theatre stately illas spectacular (loor mosaics an

early Christian 4asilica and other kingly treasures. 4uilt in 2nd century 4.C. 6ourion at its

arious ruins re(lects public li(e in 0arly Christian period.

Agio, =i-olao, ton !aton Convent 

ituated on Cape 5ata southeast o( "krotiri alt "gios #ikolaos ton 5aton

Conent is said to be the (irst monastery in Cyprus. The church structure o( today ,as built in

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1!th century only to be abandoned in the 1%th century. It ,as (inally claimed by the ;rthodo7

nuns in the 1-:<s. egend says that the monastery ,as (ounded by "gia 0leni mother o( 

Constantine the 5reat ,ho le(t back a piece o( ,ood (rom the Holy Cross.

La 2romenade Lounge 8 0errace

Part o( the e +eridien entourage in imassol the a Promenade ounge Y Terrace

o((ers the per(ect panoramic ie, o( the Eacht +arina (rom its location at the reception leel

at the hotel. Rela7 en>oy the ie, and sip a cocktail at one o( the best bars in imassol.

1.+. Ayia =apa

Ayia =apa/This resort to,n ,ith its great beaches has a bit o( a pring 4reak 

atmosphere Fthe parties start in the late a(ternoon and go all nightG. I( dancing in a bikini is not

your thing though no ,orriesZyou can e7plore a medieal monastery or en>oy cruises on

the loely blue ,ater. =amilies ,ill ,ant to isit )ater )orld the biggest theme ,aterpark in

0urope.

The Water World  theme park at "yia #apa is a great (amily escape. The largest in the

country the "yia #apa )ater )orld is also a 5reek mythology theme park ,hich is both

educational and (un. 8o,n the road (rom the )ater )orld you'll also (ind 5o/6art tracks.

1.>. 2rotara,

=amily/(riendly and tranuil Protaras is situated along the sandy coastline o( Cyprus's

=ig Tree 4ay. The glorious beach is the main attractionZ>ust be sure to keep a delight(ully

,ary eye peeled (or the legendary "yia #apa ea +onster. 5iggle about the creepy creature

oer Cypriot specialties at one o( the many open/air sea(ood restaurants in to,n.

;ig 0ree ?ay  is a sandy beach in the resort o( Protaras Cyprus. In 2<11Trip"disor  declared it to be the third best beach in 0urope but it dropped to 13th place in

2<13.

"s ,ith all beaches in Cyprus access to the public is (ree ,hilst bed and umbrella

hire is chargeable. " municipal car park proides parking ,ithin a short ,alk. The sandy

 beach stretches (or $<<m and the ,aters are clean enough (or the beach to hae been

a,arded  blue (lag designation. The beach ,hich runs the length o( its o,n coe takes its

name (rom the (ig trees located close to the coast.

There is an uninhabited islet easily reached by s,imming through the shallo, ,aters

the location o( ,hich proides a good shelter (or the rest o( the beach. The islet is coered

,ith lo, leel local egetation. In contrast to other local beaches such as   #issi =ig Tree 4ay

has become a popular destination (or (amilies. )ater sports such as ,ater/skiing ,indsur(ing

and parasailing are aailable. =rom "pril to ;ctober li(eguards and li(esaing euipment are

aailable on the beach (rom -am to %pm.

1.@. =ico,ia

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=ico,ia the capital o( the island o( Cyprus has incorporated elements o( the many

empires and kingdoms that hae claimed it oer centuries stretching back to the 4ron9e "ge.

 #arro, ,inding streets lead isitors (rom the Cyprus +useum ,ith its collection o( #eolithic

and Roman arti(acts to the thick city ,all. 4uilt in the 1%<<s by the enetians the ,all no,

diides the ancient part o( the city (rom the modern. tep through the stone gates and enter a

 place ,here the past is still alie.

The Cypru, Mu,eum Falso kno,n as the Cypru, Archaeological Mu,eumG is the

oldest and largest archaeological museum in Cyprus. The museum houses arte(acts discoered

during numerous e7caations on the island. The museum is home to the most e7tensie

collection o( Cypriot antiuities in the ,orld and is located on +useum treet in central

 #icosia. Its history goes hand in hand ,ith the course o( modern archaeology Fand the

8epartment o( "ntiuitiesG in Cyprus. ;( note is that only arte(acts discoered on the island

are displayed.

Selimiye Mo,7ue ' originally the Roman Catholic cathedral o( "yia o(ia is the

oldest and one o( the (inest e7amples o( 5othic art in Cyprus the ,ork o( the =rench masons

,ho accompanied the Crusades. The monumental main door and the cared stone ,indo,

aboe it are o( particular interest. ince the mosue still seres as a house o( ,orship there

are no set isiting times. Try to coincide ,ith the (ie prayer times ,hen you are allo,ed in

shoeless modestly dressed and silent.

In recent years the old streets around the mosues hae been renoated. Conseuently

,ith the addition o( thriing businesses such as authentic restaurants and antiue shops the

area around elimiye +osue has reached a ne, leel o( lieliness and has become a popular 

destination among tourists as ,ell as locals both during the day and night. ie music bylocal per(ormers and bands are likely to take place seeral nights a ,eek in certain enues in

the icinity o( the elegant mosue.

1.5. Larna-a

Larna-a is a city on the southern coast o( Cyprus and the capital o( the eponymous

district. It is the third largest in the country a(ter #icosia and imassol. arnaka is kno,n (or 

its palm/tree sea(ront the Church o( aint a9arus the Hala ultan Tekke its aueduct and its

medieal (ort. It is built on the ruins o( ancient City ,hich ,as the birthplace o( toic

 philosopher Qeno.arnaka is an area o( outstanding beauty / endo,ed ,ith numerous attractions

,ater(ronts and scenic istas as ,ell as some o( the islands most outstanding beaches. Is the

second largest commercial port arnaka's International "irport is located on the (ringe o( the

city ,ith easy access to and (rom the city centre.

Cyprus is reno,ned (or its beaches and arnaka is no e7ception. The coastline o( 

arnaca is probably the biggest attraction (or tourists coming to the area. ome o( the (amous

 beaches o( arnaca are Phinikoudes "laminos Castella +cken9ie 0llinas and Eannathes. "

number o( actiities like ,ater sports and scuba diing are accessible at these beaches. =or rela7ation and en>oyment there are a lot o( bars pubs and restaurants situated along the

sea(ront.

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arnaka is a hikers paradise. =rom the coastline to the countryside enturing into

unkno,n paradise can truly be heaen i( you are ready (or a bit o( an adenture. 4e(ore you

 plan a trial hire guides or buy books Y maps. ;ne o( the (amous trails is the 0! trail that links

arnaca ,ith Paphos. Eou ,ill discoer beauty at its best ,ith pine (orests mountains and

monasteries and also discoer a ast historical story opening in (ront o( your ery eyes.

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Chapter &. 0he economy o/ Cypru,

Cyprus is a member o( the 0B in 2<<! and adopted the euro as its national currency in

2<<:. In 2<11 ,as listed by the International +onetary =und as one o( the 31 adanced

economies in the ,orld. Turkish inasion in 1-&! o( the northern part o( the island led to a sharp

real 58P contraction o( 1%.-D in 1-&! and 1-D in 1-&$. 4ut hard ,ork and collectie (ocus led

to a rapid bounce back ,ith gro,th o( 1:.2D in 1-&% and 1$.:D in 1-&& (ollo,ed by a period

o( strong gro,th lasting more than 3< years. Cyprus ,as clasi(ied by the )orld 4ank as a high/

income country today the economy is mainly built upon the serices sector including tourism

(inancial serices and real estate ,hich accounts (or oer :<D o( the islands total 58P and

around &$D o( employment.

  ince >oining the 0uropean Bnion and becoming a euro area member Cyprus has

increased steadily its 58P per capital approaching the leel o( Italy and pain.

 4eing strategically located at the crossroads o( three continents Cyprus has promoted

itsel( as the business gate,ay bet,een 0urope "sia the +iddle 0ast and "(rica and leerages

its highly educated 0nglish/speaking population.

Cyprus economy is sustained by the maritime sector ,hich supported income (rom

transport o( 1<.&D o( 58P. The Cyprus Registry is classi(ied as the tenth largest merchant (leet

in the ,orld and the third largest (leet in the 0B and (lying its (lag are some 11<< ocean/going

essels and &%& non/conention si9e essels totalling a gross tonnage o( 22.% million. The

tourism sector has sho,n solid gro,th in spite o( the crisis. In the (irst uarter o( 2<1! oerall

tourist arrials increased by 1.!D compared to the same period in 2<13. In "pril 2<1! touristarrials rose an impressie 11.!D year/on/year and reenues recorded a 2<.!D rise. 0((orts to

upgrade the product could lead to a renaissance o( the tourism industry.

Cyprus receied (inancial assistance (rom the 0uropean upport +echanism ,ich hepled

Cyprus to respect its debt repayments and e7pected budgetary reuirements (or the ne7t three

years long/term reductions in the public sector changes applied in ta7ation ,ich led to a raise o( 

alue/added ta7 F"TG (rom 1&D to 1:D and also a raise o( corporate ta7 (rom 1<D to 12.$D.

The goernment has implemented also a number o( measures to reduce the (inancial de(icit as

the reducing o( public sector employment reduced the goernment's budget raised the

retirement age (or teachers. "ll those re(orms ,ere meant to help Cyprus to pass the crisis and to

take its economy on a sustainable path.

"s a a result o( implemented measures in(lation dropped (rom 3.3D in 2<11 to 2.!D in

2<12 and to 1.$D in the (irst uarter o( 2<13 despite the increase o( "T in anuary.

Cyprus has been one o( the most attractie ta7 regimes in 0urope and it respected the

reuirements o( the 0uropean Bnion and ;rganisation (or 0conomic Co/operation and

8eelopment beacause o( the lo,est corporate ta7 rates in the 0uropean Bnion at 12.$D and

many other (actors.

  "ccording to Cyprus +ail$ Cyprus in one o( the &< ta7 haens ,orld,ide. 4ecause o( 

the adantageous ta7 regime Cyprus has encouraged (rauds and it is kno,n as one o( the

5 Available on http://cyprus!ail.co!/2014/08/10/"ro!ta#haventota#hell/$

poste% on Au&ust 10$ 2014$ accesse% on 'ove!ber 23$ 2014.

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,orld's ta7 haen. =rauds are encouraged by ta7 consultancy banks or (irms ,ich obscure the

names o( the deposit bene(iciaries. Cyprus is also kno,n because o( its disproportionate number 

o( accountants and ta7 consultants ,ho built a ta7 haen enied by states as Russia 5ermany

5reat 4ritain =rance and Holland their combined eny leading to destruction o( Cyprus'

(inancial sector. In 2<1! Cyprus is no longer a ta7 haen and a lot o( inestors and people ,ich

had deposits in Cyprus' banks ,ithdre, their money (rom Cyprus because o( the haircuts on

uninsured deposits made by Cypriot goernment in the time o( crisis necessarily to pay thecountry's [1< billion bailout (rom the 0uropean Commission the 0uropean Central 4ank  and the

International +onetary =und heading to other ta7 haens in the ,orld.

Cyprus Ta7 ystem is de(ined by*

;ne o( the lo,est e((ectie ta7 rates in the 0uropean Bnion

Headline corporate ta7 rate o( 12.$D

=oreign source income generally ta7 e7empt

Pro(its on transactions in shares ta7 e7empt

5enerous ta7 deductibility rules reduce e((ectie ta7 rate

 #o ,ithholding ta7es on outbound diidends interest Y royalties irrespectie o( the countryo( destination i.e. ta7 (ree e7it 0B ta7 directies apply FParent @ ubsidiary Interest Y Royalties

ReorganisationsG

Bnilateral credit relie( (or (oreign ta7es

 #o C=C legislation

 #o thin capitalisation rules

 #o detailed trans(er pricing rules Farms length principle onlyG

 #o capital gains ta7 Fe7cept on real estate situated in CyprusG

 #o ta7es on entry reorganisations and e7its

 #o ,ealth ta7es and only minimal stamp and local ta7es

 #o e7change controls +ost international transactions (ree o( "T

o, personal ta7 regime / Top rate 3$D

;0C8 approed @ 0B compliant system

" ta7 administration that ,ants to help (oreign inestors

)ide net,ork o( (aourable ta7 treaties ,ith almost $< countries

Cyprus has a series o( ta7 e7emptions like  pro(it (rom the sale o( securitiesB diidends interest

not arising (rom the ordinary actiities or closely related to the ordinary actiities o( the

company pro(its o( a permanent establishment abroad under certain conditions all by 1<<D.%

6 (ata "ro! ))).bank o" cyprus.co!$ accesse% on 'ove!ber 18$ 2014.

20

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ebography:

•  http*@@,,,.isitpa(os.org.cyN

• http*@@,,,.hri.org@Cyprus@CyprusAProblem@pAbackground.htmlN

• ,,,. ban- o(  cypru,.comN• http*@@cyprus/mail.com@2<1!@<:@1<@(rom/ta7/haen/to/ta7/hell@N

• http*@@,,,.yourcyprusportal.com@cyprus/goernment/politics/goernment.phpN

• http*@@education.stateuniersity.com@pages@33%@Cyprus/HIT;RE/

4"C65R;B#8.html.