Limassol (Lemesos; pop. 80,000), Cyprus's second largest town, a center of industry and an important exporting port, lies on the south coast of the island between the two ancient cities of Curium to the west and Amathus to the east.
From 1291 Limassol was a base of the Templars and the Knights of St John, and here King Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre. Among features of interest is the Castle, now housing the District Museum, and the municipal park (minizoo).
Modern Limassol is a tourist center, with numerous hotels and apartment blocks in the town. It also has a large marina that takes in cruise ships from around the world.
Dhassoudi beach, just east of the city center, is a public beach run by the Cyprus Tourist Organization. There are many sports facilities in the complex, including a swimming pool and tennis courts.
Parallel to the main promenade in Limassol is Odos Anexartissias or Independence Street. The street starts beyond the Cyprus handicraft service and is the best shopping area in the city. There are some good specialist's shops selling silver, pottery and leather goods, and at the far end of the road there is a new shopping precinct.
The Limassol Carnival takes place in early spring, before Lent. The 10-day festival reaches its climax on the weekend when there are singing competitions, called Cantades, in which rival groups of singers compete with each other. On the last Sunday there is a grand parade of lavishly decorated floats through the town.
On Saint Andrew Street (Ayiou Andreou) is the Folk Art Museum, which has a collection of national costumes, tapestry and embroidery in a restored house.
Next door is the municipal library.
Address: Limassol Folk Art Museum, Odos Agiou Andreou 253, Lemesós , Cyprus
Hours:
June 1 to September 30: 8:30am-1:30pm, 4pm-6:30pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
October 1 to May 31: 8:30am-1:30pm, 3pm-5:30pm; Closed: Sun, Sat, Sun, Sat
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Greek Orthodox Easter
The current Limassol Fort was rebuilt in the 14th century, the previous fort was destroyed in an earthquake. A noted event at the earlier fort was the marriage of Richard Lionheart to Berengaria of Navarre in 1191.
There are two mosques in Limassol: Djami Djedd, a little west of the Limassol castle, and Djami Kebir. These are reminders that this was once the Turkish part of the town.
The largest shopping mall in Cyprus is My Mall Limassol with 150 stores as well as cafes and restaurants. There is an indoor ice rink that is located on the lowerl level.
Address: My Mall Limassol, 285 Franklin Roosevelt Road, 3150 Zakaki, Cyprus
Hours:
April 1 to October 31: 10am-8pm; Wed:10am-3pm; Sat:10am-7:30pm; Closed: Sun
November 1 to March 31: 10am-7:30pm; Wed:10am-3pm; Sat:10am-7pm; Closed: Sun, Sun
Omodos is a village located north-west of Limassol and surrounded by tall mountains. It was founded at the end of the Byzantine era. The village is noted for the cultivation of grapes, apples, pears, plums and apricots. Handicrafts is another notable feature of Omodos, they include hand embroidery.
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Limassol
