Limassol – Kourion, Kolossi Castle, Limassol Medieval castle & shopping

Drive through Phassouri citrus groves and vineyards, to the ancient City of Kourion, a beautiful and unspoilt spot perched high on a cliff, to enjoy a dazzling view of the ruins and the sea below. From all ancient kingdoms of Cyprus, Kourion is probably situated on the most conspicuous topographic position. It is built on a rise of about 60m high, with three steep, almost vertical sides. Herodotus refers to the tradition that Greeks from Argos founded Kourion, in Peloponnisos. It appears that during the Hellenistic and Roman periods Kourion was still an important centre, while during the 4^th century AD it was destroyed by earthquakes.

To the south of the complex, a theatrical natural hollow hosted a Greek-Roman theatre, which had a capacity of about 3.500 spectators. Archaeological and architectural data testify that the original theatre of Kourion was Hellenistic, small in size, dating back to the second century BC. Next to the theatre are the remains of the House of Eustolios, consisting of as many as thirty rooms with a bathing complex, dating from the 4^th to the middle of the 7^th century AD. The floors of the porticoes are paved with beautiful mosaic compositions depicting fishes, birds and a partridge with Greek inscriptions.

Afterwards, a stop at Kolossi Castle, built in the 13^th century.  Your guide will tell you how it served both as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of St. John’s Order, of Jerusalem, and also of the Knights Templar.

Buses will depart from the Castle to the old shopping district of Limassol where visitors will have the opportunity visit the Medieval Castle of Limassol. This is the place where Richard the Lionheart, the king of England who conquered Cyprus, married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England in 1191. Attackts from the Turks and others have left the castle battle scarred, but a 14th centaury restoration program has enabled the structure’s beauty to shine and today it houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

Before returning to the ship you will have a lot of free time in the Old Town of Limassol to buy local as well as international merchandise. Shops lining the streets include jewellery shops, leather goods, souvenirs as well as clothing and local artifacts.