Makheras - Tamassus Ancient Site

Near Makheras Monastery is the Tamassus Ancient Site. This site was famous for its copper production and may have been the Temese mentioned early in the Odyssey, when Athene, pretending to be Mentes, tells Telemachus that she has been sailing in the dark sea to a foreign land and the city of Temese.

This site has been inhabited since 2500 B.C. and in 800 B.C. it became a Phoenecian colony.

The copper mines were owned by various illustrious monarchs, ranging from Alexander the Great to Herod. It was also the birthplace of two saints. The first was St Heraclidos, the first Bishop of Cyprus, who served as a guide to St Barnabas and St Paul, when they came to the island. The second was St Mnason, Heraclidos' successor, who was known for performing miracles. This led to the site becoming the earliest center of Christianity on the island.

Some ruins have been revealed in the area, including two underground tombs, and ancient houses.