Cyprus, The Island of Aphrodite

Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, off the coasts of Syria and Turkey.Cyprus is the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean, and a member state of the European Union. It is located south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel and Palestine, north of Egypt and east of Greece.

The earliest known human activity on the island dates to around the 10th millennium BC. Archaeological remains from this period include the well-preserved Neolithic village of Khirokitia, and Cyprus is home to some of the oldest water wells in the world. Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two waves in the 2nd millennium BC. As a strategic location in the Middle East, it was subsequently occupied by several major powers, including the empires of the Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians, from whom the island was seized in 333 BC by Alexander the Great. Subsequent rule by Ptolemaic Egypt, the Classical and Eastern Roman Empire, Arab caliphates for a short period, the French Lusignan dynasty and the Venetians, was followed by over three centuries of Ottoman rule between 1571 and 1878 (de jure until 1914).

Source: Wikipedia

Thanks to Nika for the swap!

Sent: 31 October 2014   Received: 19 November 2014  Travelled: 19 days

Cyprus men

Thanks to Svetlana who sends this nice People card for my collection

Sent: 23 January 2016   Received: 16 February 2016   Travelled: 24 days

Aphrodite of Cyprus

Near Palaepaphos (Old Paphos) at the seaside of Petra tou Romiou is the modern mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and the founding myth is interwoven with the goddess at every level, so that Old Paphos became the most famous and important place for worshipping Aphrodite in the ancient world. In Greco-Roman times, Paphos was the island's capital, and it is well known for the remains of the Roman governor's palace, where extensive, fine mosaics are a major tourist attraction. Paul the Apostle visited the town during the first century AD. The town of Paphos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world's heritage.

Archaeologists report that the site of Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite's mythical birthplace was on this island, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century BC.

Source: Wikipedia

Thanks to a dear friend Simona for this awesome historical postcard from Cyprus.

Makes me feel overwhelmed at the historical significance of this site. Jealous of you

Simo!

Sent: 27 May 2015   Received: 7 August 2015   Travelled:72days

Kykkos Monastery - 3D

 

A lenticular or 3D card sent by a penpal that was holidaying in

Cyprus. Thank you Rachel for this cool card :)

Received: 3 June 2014

Kykkos Monastery

Contemporary Byzantine Frescoes by the Hand of Georgios Chr. Georgiou

An amazing view of the interior of Kykkos Monastery in North Cyrpus, 

sent by my regular swapper friend Filiz from Turkey. Thank you!

Sent: 26 February 2013,   Arrived: 7 March 2013,   Travelled: 9 days

North Cyprus

Northern Cyprus  officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. Recognised only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is considered by the international community as Turkish-occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
The 1974 coup d'état, an attempt to annex the island to Greece, was followed by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. This resulted in the eviction of much of the north's Greek Cypriot population, the flight of Turkish Cypriots from the south, and the partitioning of the island, leading to a unilateral declaration of independence by the North in 1983. Due to its lack of recognition, Northern Cyprus is heavily dependent on Turkey for economic, political and military support.

 

Thank you Filiz for the postcard from North Cyprus

Sent: 24 December 2012    Received: 3 January 2013   Travelled: 10 days

View from Famagusta

 

Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus. It is the de facto capital of Gazimağusa District of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognized by Turkey. De jure, it is the capital of Famagusta District of the Republic of Cyprus. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thank you to Filiz for this wonderful card

Sent: 3 November 2012   Received: 24 November 2012   Travelled: 21 days