Discover Cyprus: 11 Fascinating and Fun Facts to Make You Fall in Love with the Mediterranean Gem

1. The Globetrotting Haloumi

Much like a globetrotting cheesemonger in pursuit of the world's most flavorful dairy delights, haloumi enjoys trotting the globe and making its mark on a myriad of cultures, showing them all a deliciously good time: Originating from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus during the Medieval Byzantine era, haloumi is a creamy, briny cheese made from a mix of sheep, goat, and sometimes cow milk. Its durable nature – due in part to ancient preservation techniques involving mint leaves – made it a popular choice among travelers like the Bedouin tribes. Even today, places like Manoosh keep the tradition alive, serving tantalizing dishes that remind you why haloumi has remained a cheese champion for centuries.
Source => manoosh.com.au

2. Lazarus' Second Tomb

You’ve heard of Lazarus rising from the dead, but did you know he had a second whack at being six feet under? It seems Jesus’s miracle buddy just couldn't make up his mind about the whole life-after-death thing: In Larnaca, Cyprus, stands the Church of Saint Lazarus, built on what is believed to be his second tomb. Erected by Emperor Leo VI of Byzantium between the late 9th and early 10th centuries, this Eastern Orthodox marvel features a unique baroque iconostasis, gold-plated between 1793 and 1797, and 17th-century icons adorning its walls. It even holds a special procession with the Saint's icon on Lazarus Saturday, eight days before Easter.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Discover the incredible Ġgantija Temples of Malta, which are not only older than Egypt's pyramids but also the second oldest manmade religious structures in the world. Unearth their ancient secrets, from fertility rites to archaeological treasures!

=> Fun Facts about Malta

3. UN's Accidental Eden

Who needs the Garden of Eden when the UN's got your back: The United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus, initially created to separate conflicting parties, has accidentally turned into a thriving nature reserve for various protected flora and fauna species making it an exclusive ecological sanctuary in the area.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Paphos, the "Ancient-opolis"

Step right up to Paphos, the "Ancient-opolis" where time-traveling tourists rub shoulders with Roman bigwigs and Neolithic nobles while marveling at archaeological eye-candy: This ancient city in Cyprus is a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasting a treasure trove of historical wonders, including Roman villas adorned with intricate mosaics, an Agora, Asklepion, the Basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa, and museums filled with Cypriot relics dating back as far as 1700 AD.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Aphrodite's Pinterest Board

If Aphrodite had a Pinterest board, it'd be the Paphos region in Cyprus: In this treasure trove, you'll find the Temple of Aphrodite dating back to the 12th century BC, alongside ruins of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses, and rock-hewn peristyle tombs, topped off with some of the world's finest mosaic floors that showcase Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and even mundane activities.
Source => whc.unesco.org

6. Swimming for Eternal Youth

If you're looking to make a splash in the fountain of youth, it turns out you might want to swim laps around some rocks in Cyprus instead: Legend has it that swimming around the Petra tou Romiou rock formation three times can bring blessings of eternal youth, beauty, good luck, fertility, and true love, with the site also being known as the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite – the goddess of love and beauty – and linked to a legend of Byzantine hero, Digenis Akritas.
Source => visitcyprus.com

7. Cats: The Original Exterminators!

"Cats: The Original Exterminators!" Long before our feline friends became the darlings of the internet, they were summoned to Cyprus to save the day at the Saint Nicholas of the Cats Monastery: Legend has it that our whiskered heroes were recruited to vanquish venomous snakes amid a severe drought. Though there's no solid proof of this epic showdown, we know the monastery holds a special bond with cats even today, as nuns continue to care for them. Plus, the nearby ruins of Saint Varas chapel are thought to be an extension of the monastery's feline-friendly grounds.
Source => allaboutlimassol.com

8. Flamingo Met Gala

Think pink and plush, but not your grandma's flamingo lawn ornament kind: From November to March, Larnaca's Salt Lake in Cyprus transforms into the Flamingo Met Gala, where thousands of graceful pink birds take center stage. These feathered fashionistas elegantly forage and flutter on the lake's salt crust, with the magical Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque forming the perfect picturesque backdrop for their high-society soiree. Bon appétit: In between catching fabulous glimpses of flaunting flamingos, foodies can take their taste buds for a culinary escapade in Old Larnaca with tantalizing Cypriot treats like souvlakia and sheftalia.
Source => visiteurope.com

9. Homer's Favorite Wine

If Homer penned a Yelp review, this wine would be his jam: Commandaria, a luscious dessert wine produced in Cyprus for over 4000 years, has a Homer-approved history - and it's still available today. Made exclusively from local Xynisteri and Mavro grapes and aged for two years in oak barrels, Commandaria proudly wears a protected designation of origin (PDO) badge given by none other than the European Union, United States, and Canada.
Source => revecca.com

10. Lionheart's Lemonade

When life gives you lemons, you conquer an island: King Richard the Lionheart, shipwrecked and captured in Cyprus in 1191 CE, swiftly defeated its ruler Isaac Komnenos, claimed the island for himself, and imposed hefty taxes to fund his crusade. In true "pass-the-parcel" fashion, Cyprus changed hands from the Knights Templar to Richard's vassal, Guy de Lusignan, before finally making its way to Venice in 1489 CE.
Source => historic-uk.com

11. Cyprus' Woolly A-lister

Who knew Cyprus had its own "baa-rilliant" A-lister? Meet the Cyprus Mouflon - the woolly celeb in honor of whom cent coins strike a pose: This endemic wild sheep is the largest land mammal on the island, proudly parading its national animal status, and despite being smaller than its Armenian cousin, it still manages to steal the spotlight.
Source => wilddocu.de