Although a small country, Cyprus has an overwhelming cultural heritage. Wherever you travel you will find ancient monuments and sites, church's and monasteries bearing silent witness to over 9000 years of civilisation and history.

Brief History of Cyprus

 

​The history in cyprus dates back as far as 7000 BC, the Neolithic age with settlements along the North and South coasts of the Island. After 1400 BC the first Greeks came to the Island, Mycenaen Merchants started the Hellenisation of the Island. By 1050 BC Cyprus was now considered a Greek Island, with the language, culture and religion well established. Cyprus has 10 City- Kingdoms and by 800 BC it became a flourishing and prosperous Country.

 

From 750 BC Cyprus was conquered several times by Assyria, Egypt and Persia. In 333 BC Aexander the Great claims Cyprus for part of his Empire and continues to be part of the Hellenist Empire until 58 BC. In 58BC Cyprus becomes part of the Roman Empire, St Paul is converted to Christianity and Cyprus was first Countyr governed by a christian.

 

After the division of the Roman Empire Cyprus becomes part of Byzantium with Constantinople as its capital. In 1191 AD Cyprus is defeated by the crusader Richard the Lionheart. The Island is then sold to the Knights Templar who then resells it to Guy de Lusignan. From 1192 to 1489 Cyprus is ruled under a feadal system and Catholicism becomes the official religion.  In 1489 control of the Islad passes over to the Venetians who take steps to fortify the Islad and build walls around the towns of Nicosia and Famagusta.

In 1571 Ottoman Troops invad the Island and Cyprus becoms part of the Ottoman Empire. Islam is introduced to the Island and Cathalicism is expelled, the Greek orthodox religion is restored.

 

In 1878 under the Cyprus convention, Brittain assumes administration of the Island although, it remains part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1914, however when the Ottomans entered the 1st World War on the side of Germans, Brittain annexed the Island. In 1923 Turkey relinquishes all rights to cyprus and in 1925 Cyprus is declared a Crown Colony.  An armed struggle breaks out in 1955 against colonial rule, which lasts until 1960 when the Island is granted independance.

 

In 1963 Turkish-Cypriot  ministers withdrew from the government in protest at proposed changes to the constitution and Turkey threatens to invade.

 

 

In 1974 the Greek junta investigates a coup in Cyprus  against the Cipriot Goverment and Turkey uses that as an excuse and invades the Island.

 

Turkey continues to illegally occupy 37% of the Island, violating the UN charter. It has established the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus an illegal state, recognised only by Turkey and continues to maintain the division of the island through force.