Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
the place
Roman harbor of KYRENIA
Outside mosque at Friday prayers
St. HILARION castle
Othello tower in FAMAGUSTA
church
converted to mosque
(once said to be 365 churches in FAMAGUSTA)
St. BARNABAS
Photos of Other Orthodox Churches
VOUNI
(5th century BC palace)
SOLI
Mosaics from 5th century Basilica
Soli is located near the Lefke
town. Soli was one of the ten ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus . Soli Was built
in the beginning of the sixth century BC. It is foundation is attributed to
Solon. Solon was the Greek and Solon is the founder of the Soli (ancient kingdom
of Soli ). Soli was built near the Xero's river for the economic reasons . Soli
was one of the ancient kingdoms of Cyprus and played an important part in the
history of the island during the revolt against the Persians but later all the
Cypriot cities were reduced by the pensions. It was destroyed by Arab invasions
in the 7th century.
Excavations have shown that settlement was made here as early as the 11th
century BC. owing probably to the existence of a good water supply, fertile Soli
and a protected harbor, the near by copper deposits and timber to smelt the
copper Soli flourished up till 648 ad when it suffered during the first of the
ruined cities of ancient Cyprus the stones were later removed for building
elsewhere. Those of Soli were destined for the construction of port said in
Egypt in the later half of 19th century.
Excavation of the old city of Soli began in 1929 under the direction of a team
of Swedish archaeologists . A Roman Theatre was discovered with an auditorium of
seventeen cows of seats and a larges semi circular orchestra. This theatre has
now been restored recent excavations by Canadian archaeologists have brought to
light the remains of an Agora an Acropolis and a church with a mosaic floor. The
rest of the Soli city which stretches over a wide area , has still not been
fully uncovered. Excavation is not finished yet . There are lots of ancient
monuments still under the land The archaeologist knows them but they think it is
safe there. Because protecting the ancient monuments is a very big problem in
Northern Cyprus.
Detail
of Mosaics at SOLI, CYPRUS
BELLAPAIS
(13th century ABBEY)
Eric, My Guide
