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| Travel Guide 2 > Europe > Cyprus > Towns and Cities > Larnaca |
Larnaca
Larnaca (Greek: Λαρνακα - Larnaka) is a city on the South coast of Cyprus, and home to the island's main international airport (Larnaca International Airport) which lies just to the South of the city. As well as containing the airport, Larnaca is also an important tourist resort and contains a large commercial seaport.
As of 2001, Larnaca's population was approximately 72,000. Larnaca is the capital of the Larnaca district, and the third largest city (after Nicosia and Limassol) in Cyprus.
Key Facts about Larnaca
Here are some facts about Larnaca:
- Larnaca is a city on the South coast of Cyprus.
- As of 2001,
Larnaca had a population of approximately 72,000, making it the island's third largest
city (after Nicosia and Limassol).
- Larnaca is home to the main international airport in Cyprus, Larnaca International Airport.
- The name Larnaca is probably derived from the word "larnakes", which means "sarcophagoi"
- more than 3,000 sarcophagoi were found in the area in the 19th century.
- Larnaca has a very ancient past - dating back to around the 13th century BCE,
when the city-kingdom of Kition (also known as "Citium") was established
on the site. Remains of this past have been found at archaeological sites in the area.
- In the area of Larnaca, just to the West, are the Larnaca Salt Lakes
(Greek: Αλυκη Λαρνακαξ;
Turkish: Larnaka Tuz Gölü).
These are a complex of four interconnected salt lakes
(Aliki, Orphani, oros and Spiro) which fills with water during the Winter months, and is habitat for
many birds, including flamingoes.
- On the bank is the Hala Sultan Tekke, also known as Mosque of Umm Haram.
This is one of the holiest sites in Ottoman Islam, and houses the tomb of
Umm Haram (Turkish: Hala Sultan), the Prophet Muhammad's "wet-nurse".
- A Christian legend tells that the lake's saltiness from an incident involving Saint Lazarus (Lazarus of Bethany). According to the legend, Saint Lazarus asked an old woman for food and drink, but the old woman refused claiming her vines had dried up. Saint Lazarus supposedly replied "may your vines be dry and be a salt lake forever more".
- On the bank is the Hala Sultan Tekke, also known as Mosque of Umm Haram.
This is one of the holiest sites in Ottoman Islam, and houses the tomb of
Umm Haram (Turkish: Hala Sultan), the Prophet Muhammad's "wet-nurse".
- The Church of Saint Lazarus is a prominent building in Larnaca. It is a Greek Orthodox Church and dates back to the late 9th century, and which contains the tomb of Saint Lazarus.
Attractions and Places of Interest in Larnaca
Attractions and places of interest in Larnaca include:
Weather in Larnaca
The climate in Larnaca is classified as Mediterranean, or dry-summer subtropical.
For current weather information, we recommend:
Comments about Larnaca
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Books about Larnaca
Here are some books about Larnaca:
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