Tamassos is 12 miles south west of Nicosia.
It was an ancient city kingdom renowned for its rich copper works. Recent
archaeological excavations at the site have unearthed some exciting finds in
the Royal Tombs. These were six limestone sculptures, two representing
life-sized sphinxes and four lions, in a crouching position. The sculptures are
believed to date to the 6th century BC when Cyprus
was under Egyptian control. One can explore the Tombs, which are eerie and
dark, just the sort of place Indiana Jones or Lora Croft would find themselves
in.
Kolossi Castle
Outside the city of Lemesos, Kolossi
Castle, built in the 13th Century
by the Knights of St. John, towers over a landscape of vineyards. It served as
the headquarters of the Knights after the fall of Acre
to the Muslim. The present castle was built 1454 on the site of the previous
building that dated from the days of the Crusaders, but the semi-circular
foundations of the original can still be seen on east side. It's accessible by
a short drawbridge that was originally defended by a machicolation high above,
through which defenders would pour molten lead or boiling oil on the heads of
unwanted visitors. The coat of arms visible on the east wall of the castle is a
very distinctive group of coats of arms that are contained within a
cross-shaped frame. The royal coat of arms is flanked on each side, by those of
Grand Masters of the order. In the lower part of the cross is the coat of arms
of Louis de Magnac.
Once inside the castle there are two large chambers; the first was a kitchen
and has a huge fireplace. From this level there is a spiral staircase leading
to two other chambers on the second level. The rooms are empty but stone
benches flank most of the windows. Again, one of the rooms has a large
fireplace and historians find these very interesting as they are not found in
any other historical buildings. One room has a fireplace staircase to the roof.
A painting of the crucifixion is in main chamber of first floor. Another spiral
staircase leads to the flat roof terrace and battlements. The basement consists
of three storage rooms were originally only accessible from above. Two of the
rooms have wells