CategoriesCyprus Domenica Group Paphos Uncategorized

Proud heritage! Visit the Archaeological Site of ”Palepaphos”

Located in the village of Kouklia, Palepaphos is an archaeologist’s dream. Read our article and learn more about this outstanding ancient town.

Paphos is a wonderful location for a holiday. You’ll find plenty to see and do, and of course you’ll want to spend lots of time on those stunning blue flag beaches with the golden sand and crystal-clear waters, but do remember to take time out to explore further afield. Cyprus has so much to offer, and one amazing, awe-inspiring destination to head for, is Palepaphos, a breath-taking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the village of Kouklia, just 16km from Paphos, this ancient town is an archaeologist’s dream. If you have an interest in history, you’ll find this vast site incredibly intriguing. The site has links to the Great Goddess cult, an ancient and mysterious cult worshiping the goddess of fertility, dating back to the Neolithic Period.

There is so much to see and explore at Palepaphos, some of the highlights include…

– The Sanctuary of Aphrodite

One of the most important sites linked to the goddess Aphrodite, this sanctuary has been referenced throughout ancient literature. The site consists of two sanctuaries, one dating back to the Bronze Age, the other to around the 1st or 2nd century A.D.

Beautiful woman in black swimsuit on the famous beach at Cyprus

– The Northeast Gate

An imposing structure in the main city wall, the gate dates to the 8th century B.C. and played a part in the Persian siege of the city in 498 B.C.

– The city wall and the Palace of Hadji Abdulla

Take a ten-minute stroll from the Northeast Gate and you will discover the remains of the city wall, and a palace from the 6th century B.C., thought to be the home of Palepaphos, the governor of Persia.

– The House of Leda

A visit to the site of the House of Leda is a must, the central dining room has a well-preserved 2nd century A.D. mosaic floor depicting some stunning scenes from mythology of Leda and the Swan.

– The Church of Panagia Katholiki

This well-preserved church is certainly worth taking a closer look at, as inside, the walls are decorated with traditional 15th century artwork.

– The sugar-cane refinery

Processing sugar cane was an important industry in Palepaphos. The sugar mill and refineries in the coastal plain of Kouklia are well preserved and certainly worth seeing.

– The Lusignian Manor House

Built in the 13th century, then added to over the centuries, this administrative centre includes a Gothic Hall that many say is one of the most impressive examples of Frankish profane architecture on the island. This building also houses an interesting museum of archaeology.

– Cemeteries

There are several cemeteries within the area, which have yielded many finds of great archaeological interest. Visit the museum in the Lusignian Manor House to view these treasures from the tombs.

Will you add Palepaphos to your ‘to do’ list?

The more time you spend in Cyprus, the more you find! There really is a wealth of amazing places to visitssights to see and activities to take part in. It’s hard to select quite what you’re going to do on your holiday when there’s just so much choice! But imagine how much you could explore, and how many hidden gems you could discover if you owned a property here? From luxury apartments to spacious contemporary villas, we have the perfect home for everyone. Visit our website to find out more.

CategoriesCyprus Domenica Group Paphos

10 interesting facts you probably didn’t know about Cyprus!

Cyprus it’s a beautiful, picturesque island with a fantastic climate and golden sand beaches, but there’s a lot more than that.

What do you know about Cyprus? You probably know it’s a beautiful, picturesque island with a fantastic climate and golden sand beaches, but there’s a lot more to Cyprus than that. Here are 10 interesting facts about this amazing island that you probably don’t know…

1. The oldest wine in the world is made in Cyprus

On a visit to Cyprus, you must try the local wine Commandaria. It dates back to before 2000BC and was a favourite of King Richard the Lionheart. It’s a delicious sweet with a high alcohol content.

2. Mark Anthony once gave Cyprus as a gift to Cleopatra

If you want to impress a lady, what do you give her? Flowers, chocolates, or… an island? Due to its ideal location, this strategic spot was certainly a generous gift.

3. Lefkara village was thought to have been visited by Leonardo da Vinci

It is said that Leonardo da Vinci visited the village of Lefkara in the 15th century to buy lace for the alter of Milan Cathedral. We’re sure picturesque Lefkara was truly inspirational for him.

4. Cyprus is home to the world’s oldest perfumes

Due to its rich history, there have been many successful archaeological excavations in Cyprus, and evidence of perfume manufacture dating back to the Bronze Age was just one of the many fascinating finds.

5. The famous Cypriot Halloumi cheese dates back to the Medieval Byzantine period

Delicious halloumi cheese is certainly no recent invention, it was mentioned in an Egyptian cookery book dating back to the 14th century!

6. Cyprus was the first country in the world to put its map on its flag

Before Cyprus included its map on its flag, no other country had ever done this.

7. Cyprus has the cleanest beaches in all of Europe

It’s official, the beaches of Cyprus are the cleanest in all of Europe and have held this title for over a decade. 99.1% of all bathing waters on the island have been classed as ‘excellent quality’.

8. Cyprus is home to more stray cats than actual people

Cyprus is a cat lovers paradise, with stray cats outnumbering residents. If you’d like to help, there are several cat shelters that will happily take donations to help cover vet bills and keep the cats of Cyprus happy and healthy.

9. Nicosia is the only divided administrative capital in the world

With the northern part being under Turkish occupation, Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is the only administratively divided capital in the world.

10. Cyprus is the 3rd largest Mediterranean island

Following behind Sicily and Sardinia, Cyprus is ranks 3rd in terms of both size and population of all the Mediterranean islands.

Looking for a beautiful home on a beautiful island?

One fact you simply can’t deny though, is that Cyprus is a wonderful place to live or to own a holiday home. If you’d like to find your dream home here in paradise, then check out our website to discover a wide selection of high-quality properties available right now.

CategoriesCyprus Domenica Group Paphos

5 reasons how living in Cyprus can improve your way of living!

If you’re looking for the perfect place to retire to, or you’d simply like to enjoy a better life, Cyprus is the ideal place to be. Learn why in our article!

There’s something rather magical about Cyprus, with it’s unique location at the crossroads of three continents, it’s rich history and its fascinating place at the heart of mythology. It is no wonder that the allure of Cyprus brings people from all over the globe to its shores, some for a holiday, and others to make Cyprus their permanent home. Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to retire to, or you’d simply like to enjoy a better life overseas, here are 5 great reasons why Cyprus is an ideal location to discover a whole new and improved way of living…

1) The perfect location and the rich history

Being close to three continents, transportation links to Cyprus are incredibly good, no matter where in the world you want to travel to and from. This is great for business travellers and tourists alike. Cyprus is an easy destination to settle into as nearly everyone speak fluent English, and you’ll also find Russian, French and German spoken here. For those who choose Cyprus as their home, there’s a chance to delve deeper into the history of the island and spend more time exploring the historical and archaeological sites than is possible when one visits as a tourist.

Aerial drone photograph of fig tree bay beach. with tourists relaxing and enjoying summer vacations cyprus.

2) The wonderful climate 

With year round sunshine, and a wealth of beautiful beaches, you can certainly expect to feel brighter and more positive than when you live in a climate that is dark, dull and cold for much of year. The weather also gives you opportunity to spend more time outdoors, so it’s the perfect climate for anyone who loves outdoor sports and activities.

3) The beautiful and varied scenery

Cyprus is so beautiful, when you live here, you can take time exploring the hiking trails, the beautiful parks and the magnificent Troodos mountains. There are so many breathtaking panoramic views, getting out on a bike or taking a hike is a great way to improve your health and see some awe-inspiring sights at the same time.

4) The slower pace of life and the delicious unique cuisine

There’s no need to rush about when you live in Cyprus, we all take life just a little bit easier here! Leave the hectic lifestyle behind and embrace a new pace of life, where you take time to appreciate the detail, to relax, and to enjoy time spent with friends and family. Gathering to enjoy the unique Cypriot cuisineMediterranean dishes with a distinctive Middle Eastern influence, is one of the great pleasures of living in Cyprus, and one that should never be rushed!

5) The more affordable cost of living

You’ll find that most items you buy in Cyprus cost less than in other parts of Europe. So your money will go further and your cost of living will fall. It has been calculated that living in Cyprus is 25% less expensive than the European average cost of living. That’s quite a saving!

Choose your dream home today

Here at Domenica Group we have a wide range of amazing properties available in Cyprus. Visit our website and have a browse, you might just discover your dream home, and take the first step towards your own new life!

CategoriesCyprus

Celebrating Christmas in Cyprus: Customs and Traditions

If you’re visiting Cyprus over the Christmas festivities then you’re in for a real treat. Learn more!

Christmas in Cyprus is a wonderful time that everyone truly embraces. There are many traditions related to the festive season that live on to this day, with some tasty treats, fun things to do, and a sprinkle of magic! If you’re visiting Cyprus over the Christmas festivities then you’re in for a real treat. Be sure to join in with some of the traditional Cypriot festive customs

See if you get lucky with a slice of Vasilopitta 

Vasilopitta is a cake with a hidden secret. Not only is it delicious, but hidden within the cake is a coin. If you’re the lucky person to find the coin in your slice of cake, it is said that for the whole of the next year you’ll experience good luck! But even if you don’t find the coin, you’re still lucky as you get to eat a slice of one of the most tasty cakes in Cyprus.

Sing along with Kalanda 

Kalanda are ancient Christmas songs dating back to ancient Byzantine times. In Cyprus children will go from house to house singing kalanda in return for gifts of sweets or money. You’ll also find groups singing kalanda in the towns and villages, so be sure to take time to enjoy their renditions, or even join in.

Enjoy delicious Kourabiedes and Melomakarona  

It’s just not Christmas in Cyprus without these two divine sweet treats. Melomakarona are festive biscuits that are soaked in honey making them wonderfully gooey and sweet and kourabiedes are a type of shortbread biscuit, often flavoured with rose water, with a layer of caramelised icing sugar on top.

Dealing with Kalikantzari 

Some Christmas traditions are a little more troublesome than others, and so here’s your word of warning. When you spend Christmas in Cyprus you need to keep a good eye out for Kalikantzari, the very naughty Christmas goblin. As soon as you turn your back, he may be up to no good causing trouble in your home! The only way to ensure he doesn’t wreak havoc in your house is to bake a batch of Kserotiana cakes and throw them on your roof. Once Kalikanzari has had his fill, he’ll be off to cause trouble somewhere else.

Take a magical walk in the Troodos mountains 

Head up to the snow-capped peaks of the Troodos mountains and you’re instantly transported to a magical winter wonderland. Who says a summer sun holiday destination can’t be a wondrous snowy Christmas location too? Certainly not us! The local villages in the area are also beautiful at this time of year, so take your time to explore and discover some of the less touristic parts of this fascinating country.

Have a wonderful Christmas time 

Whatever your Christmas plans are, we hope you have a fantastic time this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! 

CategoriesCyprus

November calls for soup: Cypriot soups you must try this winter

When you’re next in Cyprus during the winter, you should definitely experience some of these Cypriot soups.

There’s nothing more comforting in winter than a hearty, nourishing bowl of soup. While Cyprus does have year round sunshine, in the cooler winter months, a delicious bowl of soup is certainly going to hit the spot, particularly if you take a trip up into the snow-capped Troodos mountains.

Cyprus has many unique, traditional recipes that are a delight to savour, and this includes a wide selection of soup dishes. Some are made particularly for special feast days, others are a traditional mainstay for fishermen, and they’re all truly delicious! When you’re next in Cyprus during the winter, you should definitely experience some of these Cypriot soups.

Gardiosupa Seafood Soup 

If you love seafood, then you’ll adore Gardiosupa seafood soup, and it’s surprisingly easy to make yourself. However, you’ll find this dish served up at many restaurants in Cyprus, so why not enjoy a dish on the seafront while soaking up a beautiful view? Made with prawns and vegetables, Gardiosupa may also be made to a creamed consistency by blending the soup before the prawns are added.

Trahana Soup 

Trahana is a creamy soup made from goat’s cheese, chicken broth, wheat groats and lemon juice. Its preparation method is quite unusual as it is made solid, and then prepared with boiling water when needed. Trahana is usually served with yoghurt and grated Halloumi cheese.

Fakes Soup 

For a truly hearty dish, Fakes soup is a sure fire winner. Made with lentils, potato and vegetables, it’s a thick and nourishing soup, and with the addition of garlic and bacon, it’s also packed full of flavour.

Chickpea Soup 

Being at the crossroads of the continents, the cuisine of Cyprus has been influenced widely, and the Cypriot chickpea soup certainly has a Middle Eastern flavour. Popularly eaten during Lent, it’s a nutritious soup that’s perfect for vegetarians. Made with chickpeas, tahini paste, wheat bread and garlic, it’s a substantial soup that’s a true meal in itself.

Avgolemono Soup 

This rich and creamy soup is made with chicken broth, egg yolks and rice. It’s a filling dish, perfect if you’re feeling particularly hungry. Avgolemono is sometimes also used as a sauce to accompany dishes such as pork or vegetables, so it’s particularly versatile, however, when in Cyprus, you’ll generally find it served up as a stand-alone dish.

Kakavia Soup

Originating from Greece, Kakavia is originally a fisherman’s soup. As with many imported dishes, the Cypriots have put their own spin on the traditional Kakavia soup by adding spices, onions and tomatoes to the basic recipe of fish and broth.

Hortosupa Soup 

If you’re looking for a healthy soup, that also packs a flavour punch, then opt for Hortosupa soup. Full of fresh local vegetables, with a little rice, tomatoes, potatoes and meat or chicken broth, it’s a simple soup that is just perfect on a winter’s day.

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