Limassol

Limassol, with a population of almost 200 000 people, is Cyprus’s second biggest city after Nicosia. Apart from being a popular tourist site, it is also a key international economic centre in Cyprus. Limassol has a more cosmopolitan vibe than other district centers as a result of this. Recent repair efforts in the old town and old port region aim to revitalize the historic core, making it more accessible and fascinating for tourists.

The medieval castle is one of Cyprus’s 10 castles. It was erected circa 1000 AD by the Byzantines. A chapel was also erected there at the same time. Richard the Lionheart is said to have married Princess Berengaria of Navarre on this spot after her ship was stranded nearby in 1191 when he was on his route to the Holy Land for the Third Crusade. Between 1790 until 1940, the Castle was used as a jail, and it is now a medieval museum. The museum’s collection spans the years 400 AD to 1870 AD. Numerous exhibits are available to visitors, including cannons, 17th and 18th century wood carvings, paintings and tombstones, sculptures, sets of armour, coins, terracotta, metalware and pottery, glass and marble artifacts.

The Archaeological Museum has a fascinating collection of artefacts discovered in Limassol spanning from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period. Stone axes from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, potteries and artefacts from the ancient towns of Curium and Amathus, as well as Roman terracottas, gold jewelry, coins, sculptures, columns, vases, earrings, rings, necklaces, marble statues, and so on, are among the archaeological findings.

The Folk Art Museum is a wonderfully maintained historic building that has a fascinating collection of Cypriot folk art from the previous two centuries. National costumes, tapestry, needlework, wooden chests, waistcoats, men’s jackets, jewelry, a range of light garments, town costumes, rural implements, and other items are included in the collection. The museum was founded in 1985. Its six rooms feature more than 500 exhibits. In 1989, the museum was awarded the Europa Nostra medal. Through the hand-made exhibitions, visitors may learn about Cypriot culture.

The Public Garden is located on the seaside road. It has a wide range of flora, including eucalyptus trees, pine trees, and cypresses. Limassol residents and tourists may go about and enjoy themselves in this magnificent setting. There is a tiny zoo inside the garden. Visitors may witness deer, moufflons, ostriches, pheasants, tigers, lions, monkeys, vultures, pelicans, and other creatures and birds. A short distance from the zoo is a modest natural history museum and the garden theatre, which has been rebuilt to welcome prominent international ensembles.

Limassol has a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate with warm to hot and dry summers and extremely moderate winters separated by brief springs and beautiful autumns. From December to March, the weather is unpredictable and may be wet and windy, but there is also plenty of sunlight, with an average of 6 hours each day. During this season, daily highs may not surpass 12 °C (54 °F) and nighttime lows may be as low as 2 °C (36 °F), although temperatures typically range from 16 °C (61 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) during the day and from 7 °C (45 °F) to 12 °C (54 °F) at night.

This time of year, there is a lot of rain, and thunderstorms are common, but they normally don’t stay long. Snow occurs in Limassol just once every 7–13 years and is generally combined with rain. In recent years, snow and rain have fallen in February 2004, January 2008, and February 2012. The temperature is moderate to warm and pleasant in the spring – March. It is bright virtually every day, with temperatures ranging from 19–20 °C (66–68 °F) during the day and 9 °C (48 °F) at night. Thunderstorms and rain showers are prevalent, particularly in late March and April. Occasionally, dust from the Sahara desert blows into the city during the spring, impairing vision. Summer in Limassol is the longest season of the year, lasting about eight months, beginning in April and ending in November. The weather is bright every day during this time of year, and rain is uncommon. In June and September, temperatures vary from 19 °C (66 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F), whereas in July and August, temperatures range from 22 °C (72 °F) to 40 °C (104 °F). In June, sea mist may develop on occasion, although it normally clears early in the morning. Autumn is often warm and sunny. It starts towards the end of November and early December. Expect temperatures ranging from 12 °C (54 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) at this time of year.

The weather varies from year to year during this season, and it may be quite rainy with intense thunderstorms at times (October 2009; rainfall of about 90 mm (3.5 in)) or very dry (October 2007; rainfall of 2-5mm). Finally, Limassol gets around 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain each year, however this fluctuates from year to year, and droughts do occur on occasion (every 3–5 years). The rainy season 2009–2010 was wet, with precipitation reaching 515 mm (20.3 in) in certain regions, but the rainy season 2007–2008 was dry, with just 300 mm (11.8 in). Hail is uncommon and mainly occurs between October and April.

Limassol District encompasses majority of Cyprus’s southwestern-central region. The Kouris River runs to the sea near the ancient city of Kourion from the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains, which are located in the northern portion of the district towards the center of Cyprus. This river has been impounded by the Kouris Dam, causing it to almost dry up in its lower sections. Limassol is located on Akrotiri Bay to the northeast of the Akrotiri peninsula, whereas Pissouri is located on Episkopi Bay to the northwest of the peninsula. Green and loggerhead turtles, both of which are listed as endangered by the IUCN, nest near Episkopi Bay. The neighborhood also includes Amathous Beach and Dassoudi Beach.

Limassol’s tourism boom started after 1974, when the main tourist destinations of Cyprus, Famagusta and Kyrenia, were taken in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and became part of Northern Cyprus. Limassol boasts several beaches ideal for sunbathing and swimming. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) operates a bathing beach with all required amenities in the Dasoudi neighborhood of Limassol.

Limassol was designated as the Republic of Cyprus’s primary seaport in 1974. Prior to 1974, the position was provided by Famagusta, presently situated in Northern Cyprus and not recognized as a lawful port by any nation save Turkey.

Many of the island’s wineries have their headquarters in Limassol, servicing the wine-growing districts on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains (of which the most famous is Commandaria). KEO, LOEL, SODAP, and ETKO are the most significant. The wines and cognacs (brandies) made from grapes grown in the countryside are of exceptional quality. They have received several honors at international exhibits. Locals and international tourists both consume a significant amount of wine goods in Cyprus. Large amounts are sent to Europe.

Limassol is the province’s most important industrial center. There are around 350 industrial units and 90 industry goods. These industries include dressmaking, furniture, shoes, beverages, cuisine, printing, metal industry, electric gadgets, plastic products, and many more.

Limassol is an important commercial center in Cyprus. This is due to the existence of the UK sovereign base in Episkopi and Akrotiri, as well as the population relocation in Limassol after the Turkish assault in 1974. The trade markets are concentrated in the town center and along the shore, beginning at the ancient port and ending in the Amathus district. This neighborhood contains the majority of the hotels, restaurants, confectioneries, discos, and other places of amusement.

Limassol has two ports, known as the “old port” and the “new port.” The new port has the highest commercial and passenger traffic volume and is the largest port in the Republic of Cyprus. The historic harbour features a barrier that is 250 meters (820 feet) long and can only accommodate three small ships at a time. As a result, fishing boats often utilize it. The new port is 11 meters (36 feet) deep and contains 1,300 meters (4,300 ft) of breakwaters. It can accommodate up to 10 ships, depending on their size. These ports export and import grapes, wines, carobs, citrus fruits, as well as grains, automobiles, machineries, textiles, agricultural medications, fertilizers, iron, and other goods.

Limassol is now Europe’s largest ship management service center, with more than 60 ship management companies based there, thanks to the Cyprus Shipping tax system (a choice between corporation tax and a tonnage tax system), which makes it very appealing for ship management companies to have their main offices in Limassol. Thus, the extremely popular MARITIME CYPRUS shipping conference, which takes place every two years and attracts all of the world’s top shipping corporations. More than 40.000 seamen are now employed by these ship-management businesses. In fact, the Cyprus register is now rated eighth among foreign fleets.

A marina has been erected to the west of Limassol Castle, between the ancient and new ports. This new building, which permits ocean-going boats to dock, opened to the public in 2014 after hosting its first ships in 2013. The marina can accommodate 1,000 yachts.

Limassol has seen a development boom in recent years, fueled by the tourism industry as well as increased foreign investment in the city. Public initiatives, such as the remodeling of the city’s one-kilometer (0.62-mile) promenade, are increasing people’s quality of life and the city’s image as a cosmopolitan destination. Infrastructure upgrades financed in part by European programs have aided the city in resolving traffic issues caused by the installation of new highway flyovers and roundabouts.