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CYPRUS,

HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.

[Illustration:

  MAP OF
  CYPRUS
  1878.

London: Wᵐ. H. Allen & Co.

_Stanford’s Geog.ˡ Estab.ᵗ London_]




  CYPRUS,

  HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.


  ADAPTED FROM THE GERMAN

  OF

  FRANZ VON LÖHER.

  WITH

  MUCH ADDITIONAL MATTER

  BY

  MRS. A. BATSON JOYNER.


  AND TWO MAPS.


  LONDON:
  W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13, WATERLOO PLACE.
  Publishers to the India Office.
  1878.




INTRODUCTION.


The sudden interest created by recent political events in everything
relating to Cyprus, an island which, from its geographical position,
seems destined to play no unimportant part in modern history, has
rendered the appearance of Herr von Löher’s narrative of his recent
journeyings through the length and breadth of that country extremely
welcome. It is therefore with much pleasure we have received permission
from the Author to lay before the British Public an adaptation of his
book (only published during the last few days) which seems well suited
to supply information, such as is at present much needed in England.

The island of Cyprus from the first dawn of civilisation has been
classic ground, extremely interesting to antiquaries, and its history
throughout the Middle Ages is largely blended with tales of chivalry
and romantic incidents, such as in these matter-of-fact times are
scarcely cared for by speculators, whose object is to obtain reliable
information on subjects of more practical importance, such as the
resources of the country, the character of its soil, the capabilities
of its surface, and the industry of its inhabitants. Lessons upon these
points are only to be learned from a careful survey, such as that
accomplished by our author, who, uninfluenced by prejudice, describes
in simple narrative the actual condition of the island, the scenery of
the interior, and the everyday employments and pursuits of the people,
thus removing many erroneous impressions as to the condition of the
Cypriotes, and leaving the reader to form his own opinion as to the
status and prospects of our new acquisition. All information connected
with these points we have carefully rendered, only omitting such matter
as appeared irrelevant, and calculated unnecessarily to increase the
size of the book. Additional information gleaned from various sources,
relative to the general history and statistics of the island, is to be
found in the Appendix.

That the climate of Cyprus is delightful, the soil prolific, and the
landscape in some parts of the country of surpassing beauty, we have
abundant testimony in the writings of classic authors, and there is
no reason to suppose that in these respects its attractions have
deteriorated. A late writer, J. Jasinides, who died at a good old age
at Koutzovendi, in Cyprus, in 1871, at the conclusion of his work
“Les Iles Mediterranée,” thus expresses himself: “For forty years I
have been wandering from isle to isle, ascertaining their political,
commercial, and social aspect, and this island (Cyprus) notwithstanding
the barbarism of its present rulers, through which it is cut off
from the rest of the world, is my favourite.... It is a little world
in itself; here do I wish to die. My limited means will keep me in
comparative luxury. Although old, I am strong and feel young, no wild
beasts or reptiles disturb my solitude, the water is sweet and cool,
the wine is nectar, and the food plain but good; above all I know that
my grave will be respected, and that kind hands will close my eyes.”


  M. A. J.

  London, 1878.




CONTENTS.


  CHAPTER I.

  LARNAKA.

                                                                     PAGE

  First View of Larnaka—Arrival—The Haven—The
  Town—Catholic Church—Fine Carving—Kissing
  Relics—Marble Sarcophagi—Tombs—Derivation of Name of
  Larnaka—Phœnicians—Kiti—Language—Shallow Harbour—An ancient
  Graveyard—Relics—Nursing Bottles—Schools—Church of St. Lazarus—A
  Compromise in Ecclesiastic Architecture—St. Lazarus’s Morning
  Walk—Ride out to curious Building—Strange Doors—Phaneromene
  Panagia—Female Superstitions—Salt Lake—Marshes Source of
  Ill-health                                                            1


  CHAPTER II.

  ATHIENU.

  Streets of Larnaka—Game Birds—Mountain of Olympus—<DW64>
  Slaves—Natives of Athienu—Attack on Famagusta—Repulse
  of the Turks—Six Months’ Siege—Honourable Terms—Meeting
  of rival Generals—Treachery of Mustapha—Butchery of
  the Garrison—Bragadino flayed alive—Triumphant Return
  of Mustapha—Dinner with an Athenitan—Dali—Two largest
  Rivers—Neglected Land—Character of a Cypriote—Silkworms—Planting
  of Mulberry Trees—Silk Factories—Forests—Carob-tree—Cyprus a
  miniature India—Fruits—Sugar—Cotton—The Garden of the World—A
  Guard of Honour—First View of the Capital—Lepers—Visit to the
  Governor                                                              9


  CHAPTER III.

  NIKOSIA.

  Morning Impressions—Easter Eve—Gardens of Fruit
  Trees—Society—Costume of the Ladies—Beauties of Cyprus—Adoption
  of Turkish Customs—Language—Cathedral of St. Sophia—Church of
  St. Nicholas—Archbishop’s Chapel—Visit