Larnaca Salt Lake belongs to those attractions that combine an interesting history, beautiful nature and are of cultural value to the island of Cyprus.
Lake history
Larnaca Salt Lake is located near the city of Larnaca, which is Greek for Aliki. You can see it only in the cold months, because in the hot season, the water from the lake evaporates, and salt beds remain in its place.
The history of the appearance of the lake was overgrown with legends, one of which tells that once upon a time there were huge vineyards managed by a stingy mistress. At the request of a passing bishop of St. She refused Lazarus to quench her thirst with a bunch of grapes, citing the fact that salt was in her basket. Lazarus was angry with a woman for greed and sent a curse to this place. Since then, a lake of salt has appeared here.
Researchers and historians have no common opinion about the origin of the lake: some believe that there was a sea bay in its place, and the reservoir formed after raising land, others talk about underground salt deposits that rise together with water after rains, while others believe that salt comes from the underground labyrinths along with the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Larnaca Salt Lake: Description
The lake itself consists of 4 reservoirs: large - Aliki - and 3 small - Orfani, Soros and Spiro. All of them are connected by small isthmuses.
Its area is 2.2 square meters. km, the maximum depth is about 1 m.
In the summer and autumn time of the year, the shiny, snow-white, iridescent lights look amazing and very impressive. Salt snowdrifts are very reminiscent of snow, and when walking it seems to creak.
Salt mining
For many years, the extraction and development of salt reserves served as the basis of the island's economy. According to historical data, during the years of trade in the Republic of Venice , 70 ships loaded with salt each year left this place: in those days, it was considered an important commodity.
Salt collection in the lakes of Cyprus continued until the middle of the 20th century: in the summer months it was collected in dry form after the lake dried up. All mining was carried out manually due to the surrounding silty shore. With the help of shovels, workers dug up salt, put it in baskets, and transported it on land on donkeys and unloaded it to the ground. Before sending, the layers had to dry for a whole year.
Now the collection has been stopped for several reasons: due to severe pollution, as well as due to the fact that the Larnaca Salt Lake received the status of a nature reserve.
Cypriot ecologists have created a program to protect local animals and birds and preserve the lake. In winter, several thousand birds fly here, about 85 species.
The most beautiful are pink flamingos, which cover the landscape with a bright luminous cloud.
Larnaca city: history and attractions
Larnaca is an old town, known not only for its location of a major international airport in Cyprus, but also for its history. It was founded in the 10th century. BC e. Noah’s grandson and was called Kition, which is mentioned in the Bible. He gained fame thanks to the life and death of the resurrected Saint Lazarus, over whose grave the church of St. Lazarus was built, where his relics are stored. According to one version of historians, the name of the city comes from the word "Larnaca", which means "tomb."
During the time of the Phoenician authorities, a large trading port connecting Western Europe and the East functioned here, and state representatives of many states worked. Now the port is used only for mooring private ships and yachts.
The city of Larnaca (Cyprus) is also considered the birthplace of the ancient Greek philosopher Zeno of Kita, who became the founder of the Stoicism school in Athens, the Greek capital.
Popular sights of Larnaca, which are included in many excursions in Cyprus:
- Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque;
- Church of St. Lazarus;
- salt lake;
- the ancient settlement of the Neolithic Age of Hirokiti (7-4 thousand BC), discovered in 1998, consists of a complex of round limestone buildings for various purposes;
- Camares aqueduct, built in the 18th century. to provide water to the city.
Muslim shrine
On the shore of the Larnaca Salt Lake there is a Muslim shrine - the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, built in 1816. It is known for the fact that Umm Haram, a relative of the Prophet Muhammad, is buried here. Any tourist can enter it.
In 649, when Arab troops came to these lands, Umm Haram came with them and preached Islam among the locals. At the site of the future mosque, her mule stumbled, the woman fell and crashed, hitting the stones. They buried her with honor on the shore of a salt lake and erected a stone block weighing 15 tons, which, according to legend, the angels brought.
Interestingly, the mosque is considered not only a Muslim shrine, but also local Christians who come here to pray for healing. It is believed that this helps people recover from the disease.
Hala Sultan Tekke is a large complex that includes a mosque, a minaret and a mausoleum, a cemetery, residential buildings for the overnight stay of traveling dervishes. Guest buildings are designed separately for men and women and stand in the distance.
You can get to the mosque by car along the B4 road from Larnaca, after driving 5 km. Admission is free, you can listen to interesting stories of the guide. On Muslim holidays, services are held here during which tourists can interfere with believers. Before entering, you must definitely take off your shoes and wash your feet in the fountain, women are recommended to cover their heads.
Church of St. Lazarus
According to legend, Larnaca was elevated to the rank of bishop of Kitai, Saint Lazarus, who fled from Bethany from the Jewish high priests. Under his leadership, the first church was erected, where services were held. After the death of Lazarus, they buried here, and the church was renamed Larnax. In its place in 890, the emperor of Byzantium, Leo IV, erected a new temple, which was subsequently destroyed and restored several times. After the rule of the Turks in 1589, it was bought out by the Orthodox Church, in 1750 an open gallery was built, and in 1857, a bell tower with 4 tiers.
In the XVIII century, the church was decorated with a new wooden iconostasis with carvings and 120 icons, which were made by the master Haji Savvas Taliodoros.
During restoration in the 70s of the twentieth century, stone tombs with the relics of St. Lazarus, they are now exposed in silver crayfish inside the temple. The church building consists of three naves and has 3 domes.
You can get to the church from Larnaca Airport by bus number 446.
Larnaca beaches
Tourists coming to Larnaca may be interested in not only the Larnaca salt lake and excursions, but also the local sandy beaches. The sea here is clean and shallow, hotels and a tourist area are located east of the town and are cheaper compared to the popular resorts of Cyprus.
Main beaches:
- Mackenzie - located near the old airport in Cyprus, has a large area, is well equipped with sun loungers, there are bars and cafes, but you need to get either by taxi or by yourself;
- Finikoudes - located in the city itself, from which it is separated by a beautiful palm alley. This is a favorite place for walking and recreation for tourists and locals. You can get here by regular buses;
- Dhekelia is the epicenter of tourist vacations. They get here by the road of the same name, along which there are Larnaca hotels of various levels.
How to get to Larnaca and the lake
Tourists can visit the salt lake and other attractions of Larnaca as part of excursions in Cyprus or on their own, having arrived here by car. Paths for visitors with benches for relaxation are specially laid along the pond. Tourists having a rest on them will get a lot of impressions from the view of the lake, flying or landing birds, natural landscapes, especially picturesque at sunset.
The lake can be reached by car, leaving Larnaca towards the airport on the B4 highway, or by taxi, because public transport does not reach here.