Intercollege Limassol

 

Spread over 16 km round the southern Akrotiri bay, Limassol (Lemesos - as we call our city) literally holds the Mediterranean Sea into its economic heart: much of the city’s business is centered around its new port –the largest of the island—and even more revenue comes from its quality holiday industry. The 10 km sea front Promenade lures joggers, walkers and cyclists and leads into the tourist area, popular for its fish taverns and beach cafes. 

 

The area that is now Limassol has been inhabited since around 2000 B.C.  Since the very old times, a small colonisation, namely the village of Lemesos (Limassol) has been inhabited at this site.  Some graves that were discovered there date back to 2000 B.C. with others dating back to the 4th and 8th century B.C.  The town has a lot of ancient, Byzantine and Frankish influences and is renowned for its long cultural tradition.  The old town of Limassol is the kernel with its old archontika (mansions), gems of architecture which are now being restored and narrow, busy shopping streets.  Historically, the town has been an important trade centre since the time of the crusades, not least due to the fact that the famed Commandaria wine is produced in the region.  After the English King Richard the Lionheart destroyed Amathus in 1191, the town of Limassol (Lemesos) was built up in its current position between the ancient towns of Curium and Amathus.  Since the Turkish invasion in 1974, Limassol has been greatly developed, becoming one of the most important centres for service-providing, trade and tourism in Cyprus as well as the biggest port in the Mediterranean transit trade.