Most people arriving in Cyprus do so through Larnaca International Airport, which is located on the outskirts of the city. As airports go, it is small compared to others, although the opening of a new terminal is imminent. From the airport, most destinations within Cyprus are no more than a two and a half hour drive away.
On the short 5-minute drive into town, you can’t help but be impressed by the sight of flamingos feeding on the Larnaca salt lake and the dome of the Hala Sultan Tekke in the distance. Hala Sultan means “Great Mother” in Turkish and refers to Umm Haram who, according to legend, was the supposed aunt of the Prophet Muhammad, she fell from a mule, broke her neck and died. She was buried on the site of today’s Tekke (Muslim Shrine), and her tomb and subsequent mosque have become an important place of worship for Muslims. For Turkish Cypriots, the importance of it is only surpassed by the shrines in Mecca, Medina and Al Aksa. The mosque is surrounded by date palms, cypresses, olive trees and looks very much like an oasis in the desert.
The mosque and shrine overlook the Larnaca salt lake, home to flamingos and other migratory birds that stop to and from Africa during the fall and spring. The lake fills up with winter rains and slowly dries up as summer approaches, leaving behind a fine film of salt. In the Middle Ages, salt mining was carried out here, but pollution from aircraft exhaust in modern times has made the salt commercially useless.
Legend has it that Larnaca was founded by one of Noah’s grandsons in the 13th century. Today’s Larnaca is built on the original site of ancient Kition and some of the ancient city’s ruins can be found at Leontiou Machaira, near the Archaeological Museum.
The Agios Lazaros Church and Byzantine Museum is located south of the city center and is a mix of Latin and Orthodox influences. Inside the church courtyard is the Byzantine Museum. Legend has it that Jesus raised Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, from the dead. Immediately after this, Lazarus was expelled from Jerusalem by the Jews and came to Larnaca where he was ordained a bishop by Saint Barnabas. Lazarus brought Christianity to Cyprus and remained bishop for 30 years. After his death he was buried where the present church stands. His relics did not remain entombed for long. After their discovery in 890 they were transported to Constantinople and in 1204 transferred to Marseilles.
Larnaca Fort is situated on the water’s edge and separates Finikoudes, Larnaca’s waterfront and the old Turkish Quarter. The fort dates from 1625 and was built by the Turks to defend the city. It was most often used as a prison, especially when the island was under British control. Climbing the walls offers good views of the sea. The fort sits on the water’s edge and visitors can walk around the seawall in ankle-deep water.
The fort has archaeological exhibits from the Kition site and is also used as the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Center during the summer.