Cyprus, Protaras: attractions, beaches, sea

The small resort town of Protaras is located in the south-eastern part of the island of Cyprus in the Famagusta area and is part of the local community of Paralimni.

A picturesque bay with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea, crystal clear waters, magnificent sandy beaches and a tiny island nearby - all this is Protaras. Attractions of this cozy town attract many fans of calm and measured rest from every corner of the world every year.

A short digression into the history

People in the place where the modern Protaras is located, settled long ago. Even in the days of Ancient Greece in a small but convenient harbor the policy of Lefkola was founded. It was in these parts of the I century BC. E. Macedonian Demetrius I Poliorket was defeated over the Egyptian satrap Ptolemy. But time did not leave almost anything from the ancient city with the exception of small debris. Until now, in the vicinity of Protaras, excavations of the ancient town of Curio have been carried out, which was almost completely destroyed as a result of a powerful earthquake in the 4th century AD. E.

As for modern history, after the war in 1974, Cyprus was divided into two parts - Turkish and Greek. As a result, that part of the island where Protaras is located, had to be restored almost from scratch. Therefore, old buildings, which are famous for most other famous resorts, there is not so much here. Virtually devoid of historical monuments of architecture Protaras, whose sights were created already in our time, it is worth noting that it did not become worse. Those who are going on holiday in this small Mediterranean town, there is always something to see.

What to see in Protaras

So, what are the attractions of Protaras on the map of this resort town?

From architectural monuments it is worth to visit the church of St. Elijah the Prophet (Ayios Elias). This tower, towering on one of the rocks, looks particularly beautiful in the dark, when it is illuminated by a special illumination. In the afternoon, a stunning view of the sea and the coast opens up from the site.

By the way, in order to admire the beauties of nature, it is better to go to the nearby Cape Greco, famous for its beaches with snow-white sand and famous sea caves. And in the depths of the island lies the Valley of windmills, which are used to feed water for irrigation of nearby fields.

The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary is another architectural monument to which Protaras is famous. Sightseeing, which can be seen here, is a collection of porcelain plates dating from the 18th century. Here is a museum of Byzantine culture.

Walking in the center of the city, you can not ignore the local Historical Museum, where you can take a look at an interesting collection of carriages, pottery and toys. Also worth visiting is the Museum of Folk Art, famous for its collection of furniture, copper products, costumes, craftsman tools.

It is worth mentioning especially the Show of dancing fountains, which is very popular with all tourists arriving in Cyprus. Protaras, whose sight-seeing map does not abound with famous architectural monuments, still attracts visitors from all over the island. More than 18 thousand jets, powered by powerful pumps, illuminated by searchlights and controlled by perfect computer systems, create a unique feeling of the holiday. You can admire this amazing spectacle for hours.

Annually in Protaras all kinds of holidays and festivals are held. The most colorful of them is the Apokreo carnival, which takes place at the end of winter - early spring. Almost the whole of July is a continuous Festival of Arts, and the week in September is the Festival of Wine.

On the streets of Protaras, there are many small cafes, restaurants, pubs, where you can taste national cuisine or drink local wine. Although it is worth noting that the stormy nightlife characteristic of most Cypriot cities, it's not about Protaras. Attractions of the resort are local nature and the sea, where you can not only swim, but also dive with aqualung to enjoy the beauty of the underwater world, which is extremely diverse.