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
The outer buttressed walls, with the sea just visible beyond, gives some idea of the scale of this city from antiquity.
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.
The Gymnasium was built during the first century BC and is where young Greek men gathered for physical workouts and cultural training. Each year one person from the town was elected to financially support the gymnasium and provide the athletes with olive oil used to rub into their bodies before the games.
Located near to the Gymnasium is the Frigidarium - a cold water bathing room where slaves provided the althletes with massages before they went into the Gymnasium. After their workout they would then visit the Tepidarium - medium hot water bath followed by the caldarium - hot water bath.
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.
Although the city was originally founded by the Greeks much of it was destroyed during several earthquakes, and most of what is visible today was built by the Romans
The amphitheatre is unusal in as much as it is free standing. Most Roman theatres tended to be built into hillsides.
The latrines were a social gathering place for Roman men - the large area of latrines at Salamis had 44 seats with fresh water flowing constantly through the deep channels removing waste out into the sea.
The remaining marble columns and flooring reveal just how palatial Salamis must have been
Lovely detail in these two Roman marble solomonic corinthian columns sculptured and carved in opposing directions
The old Roman road continues ever onwards to yet even more hidden treasures awaiting discovery
