I loved exploring Salamis - arriving in the early morning mist before the sun had broken through, we had it to ourselves. Strewn around its ancient stones were carpets of wild flowers adding to the enchantment of this magical sleeping city
Salamis was one of the most opulent cities in Cyprus during the classical period with a history dating back to the 11th century BC. Due to Salamis' strategic location beside the sea it became an important commerical port at the end of the 8th century BC and was particularly important for exporting copper
In connection with sea transportation we saw these remains of an ancient 4th century BC Greek merchant ship. First discovered on the seabed in 1965 and now housed in a special room at the castle in Kyrenia.
Replicas of classical statuary discovered at Salamis stand around the site
St Barnabas and St.Paul visited Salamis establishing a church a few miles away.
After surviving eathquakes and pirate raids the city was abandoned in the c7th AD when the population moved to what is now Famagusta
For thousands of years Salamis was completely covered in sand which helped to protect the remains until excavation work began in the mid c20th. There is still a very large area awaiting further excavation work again lying hidden beneath sand and Pine trees.
Salamis cannot be compared to other well known sites such as Pompeii and Ephesus, but it is a lovely place to visit and a privilege to be able to enjoy it on your own.
The amphitheatre is unusal in as much as it is free standing. Most Roman theatres tended to be built into hillsides.
Hello Rosemary, What a delight exploring such fascinating ruins, especially when the unexcavated sections add an air of mystery about what is still left to be found. The boat is fascinating in its construction, and in how it survived over 2000 years underwater!
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Hello Jim - one of my granddaughters is an archaeologist, and suspect that she would be in her element given the chance to excavate here.
DeleteWe too were really surprised at the condition of this ancient craft.
Dear Rosemary, your travel blogumentaries are always a welcome delight! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDear Linda - what a lovely descriptive word 'blogumentaries' I am so pleased that you enjoyed it
DeleteYour descriptions and photographs of this ancient city make me feel I have visited too.
ReplyDeleteThe plants and wildflowers soften the old stones, but have been kept tidy enough so as not to overtake the ruins. As usual, your photos have such clarity.
Thank you for sharing your experiences of these wonderful places.
Thank you Betty - I am pleased that you felt as if you had visited along with me.
DeleteWonderful tour. Thank You
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DeleteWonderful photos, what a beautiful place. Reminds me of some of the ancient Turkish cities.
ReplyDeleteCyprus is very close to Turkey, in fact you can see Turkey's coastline when looking out to sea
DeleteBeautiful post about the antiquity. So much still underground, that will take ages to dig out.
ReplyDeleteIt must be an archaeologists dream
DeleteFascinating as your posts always are! I didn't know what to expect from the title of this post, I knew it would be interesting and this certainly was!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Amy and felt sufficiently intrigued by the title of the post to visit - thank you
DeleteSpring flowers always look spectacular set against an ancient stone or two.
ReplyDeleteBeing freshly covered by spring flowers made it look lovely
DeleteWhat a beautiful place...lovely pictures!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week Rosemary, always so nice visiting your blog.
Love from Titti
Thank you Titti - hope your week goes well too for you
DeleteNot a place I'm familiar with but looks interesting and always nice when you explore ruins without the tourist crowds.
ReplyDeleteIt is not one of the greatest sites from antiquity but who knows what else may still lie hidden awaiting discovery!
DeleteAll is fascinating as well as beautiful, and it is intriguing to read how civilised they were in ancient times. The Frigidarium, the Tepidarium and the Caldarium made me smile - such great words! The pair of beautiful marble columns would be welcome in my garden any day :)
ReplyDeleteI am always surprised at the sophistication and the splendour in which they lived
DeleteAmazing what ones finds when the top cover is removed.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Rosemary.
Glad you found it interesting Margaret
DeleteThis part of the world has so much to see. I'd never heard of Salamis but it must have been palatial indeed.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of it either Jessica until I read about the area once we had booked the trip
DeleteFabulous shots, Rosemary. Salamis was pretty much my first experience of visiting a classical site outside the UK and it remains etched into my memory, though I went in September and it was considerably more arid than your visit. I particularly remember the curious arch (if that's what it is) in your third shot and finding the remains of the old harbour/quay under the sea. A good bar nearby, too, I think, where the Efes Pilsner was ice-cold. Famous battle at Salamis, of course. Anyway, you've given everyone a treat with your photos - as usual - and commentary!
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that this post reminded you of your own visit Mike - I had imagined that after their boiling hot summers these areas would look very parched.
DeleteMy understanding is that the arch is a supporting buttress arch to the city walls, but I might be wrong.
A fabulous site that I actually never heard of . I was struck by the practicality of the toilets used by the and how everything seemed so well organized , and love the gorgeous tiles.
ReplyDeleteThey were very sophisticated, weren't they?
DeleteThese photos are really wonderful.. as usually your photos are.
ReplyDeleteSalamis is a wonderful place to visit
DeleteThat must have been so magical walking around this ancient city. It reminds me of Pompeii without the crowds and surrounded by nature. It always amazes me how developed civilization was so long ago. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteHaving this place to wander alone made it of great appeal to us.
DeleteIt amazes me how well it is preserved.
ReplyDeleteI love these sites from antiquity and would love to know just what else is hidden beneath the trees and sand
DeleteThank you for introducing such an interesting great ancient civilization. I like the colors of Salamis including the yellow wild flowers which I think looks like the colors of my favorite part of Cotswalds. I really enjoyed Offa's Dyke, too.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Thank you Yoko - yes, you are right again the colours do resemble the Cotswolds, perhaps that is why I liked it so much.
DeleteThis is an incredible peek into an ancient civilization - thank you, Rosemary. I love imagining the people of the time and the way it must have been.
ReplyDeleteSalamis is firmly lodged in my memory forever Yvette.
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