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Due to the fact that an army enclosure is immediately to the west of the fish tanks, it is necessary to return to the main road, turn right and take the next right turning which is signposted ?Alsancak Beach?. This road follows a route down to the sea and there are red signs prohibiting entry to the land either side of the road. It is safe to proceed straight on.
The beach restourant is situated at the site of the ancient harbour for the town of Lambousa. An important city kingdom of the early centuries BC, it was ruled by the Phoenicians during the fifth to fourth centuries BC. It became a thriving port during Roman and Byzantine times and then like so many of the coastal cities it was destroyed by the Arab raids of the seventh century AD.
Close the shore, west of the restourant is the monastery of Akhiropitos containing the twin domed monastery church. Outside the monastic buildings is the church of St Eulalios and there is a curious building carved from a single block of limestone which is the chapel of St Eulambios. Excavations being caried out early in the twentieth century unearthed the ?Lambousa Treasure?. This consisted of some silver plates bearing very early hallmarks dating from the sixth century and coins and priceless artefacts, which are now displayed partly in the British Museum and in the Cyprus Museum in South Nicosia. Because this area is in military hands it is not open to visitors and photography is not permitted. |
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