Lemesos is the second largest city in Cyprus, with a population of approximately 180,000 residents. It is one of the island’s six districts and covers an area of 34.87 square kilometres. It is located on the southern coast of the island, extending west towards the district of Paphos, and borders the district of Larnaca to the east and the district of Nicosia to the north.
Beyond its reputation as a tourist destination, Limassol is also an important administrative and business centre, a major port, a popular resort, a centre of wine production, and home to numerous archaeological sites.
The vibrant city centre offers a journey through time, where the university and active students dreaming of a better future are just a few blocks away from the old market and the medieval castle that connect us with the past. The harmonious coexistence of old and new continues along the seafront, where one can admire Limassol’s cosmopolitan side with modern business buildings and contemporary apartment blocks, while just a short distance away there are picturesque neighbourhoods with cobbled streets, traditional buildings with projecting balconies, and a wealth of small shops, restaurants, and cafés.
The city of Limassol has a rich history dating back to around the 2nd century BC.
Limassol lies between the ancient cities of Amathus to the east and Kourion to the west. The area has been inhabited since very ancient times, and tombs discovered there date back to around the 2nd century BC, while others date to the 8th and 4th centuries BC. The limited archaeological findings indicate that there was a small settlement which did not manage to grow or flourish.
In the 10th century, the city was known as Nemesos, and the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus refers to it by this name.
The history of the city is mainly known for the events of 1191 AD, which marked the end of Byzantine rule in Cyprus. King Richard the Lionheart of England realized the strategic importance of Cyprus as a supply base for the forces participating in the Third Crusade and captured the island. Richard married Berengaria in Limassol, where she was crowned Queen of England. Thus, Byzantine rule in Cyprus came to an end.
Subsequently, Limassol was handed over to the Frankish Kingdom of the Lusignans, the medieval Cypriot state. For nearly three centuries (1192–1489), Limassol experienced a remarkable period of prosperity. In 1489 AD, the Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, ceded Cyprus to the Republic of Venice. This period lasted until 1570 AD, when the Ottoman conquest followed. Later, in 1878, Cyprus came under British administration, and in 1960, with the independence of Cyprus, significant changes followed that contributed to the cultural and artistic development of the city. Schools, theatres, art galleries, concert halls, and football clubs were established, all of which played an important role in Limassol’s cultural life.
Limassol developed significantly after the Turkish invasion of 1974, when Famagusta, one of the most touristic areas of Cyprus, was occupied by Turkish troops. Luxury hotels, restaurants, and numerous entertainment venues were then built, and the city rapidly evolved into a major tourist centre.
