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Welcome to Cyprus!

Cyprus is a small picturesque island located to the south of Turkey. It is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the Mediterranean region.  It attracts more than twenty million tourists per year. Apart from having great natural beauty Cyprus is extremely rich in History.

History of Cyprus dates right back into the Neolithic Age, when the settlers excelled in the art of pottery, which they decorated in their own distinctive style. This led the historians to believe that the islanders were quite different in their taste as opposed to the styles of the neighboring states.

The inhabitants of Cyprus were quite proficient in working in the copper mines in and around the island. Several settlements such as Greek settlements belonging to the Iron-Age can be found in Cyprus. This island came in contact with Egypt and became an important trade partner.

In the sixth century BC, Amasis from Egypt conquered Cyprus, and it soon came under the rule of the Persians. When the Greeks rose against Persia in 499 BC the Cypriots joined in as well. The Persians however reacted sharply and won in the end. After this defeat the Greeks tried several times to free Cyprus from the Persian rule, but their efforts had temporary results.  Finally under Alexander the Great Cyprus came under the Macedonians. Later the Ptoloemies of Egypt controlled the island and it eventually came under the Roman Empire. 

In the beginning of Christianity Cyprus was visited by Apostle Paul, Barnabus & St Mark. After which they succeeded in converting the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus to Christianity.

In 1192 the island of Cyprus was purchased by the French Knight Guy of Lucignan but was soon taken over by the Venetians. The Venetians fortified Famagusta, Nicosia & Kyrenia but other cities of the island were weakly defended. In 1570 the Turks laid siege on the island and ultimately succeeded in taking over Cyprus.