Old Paphos

We heard that there were celebrations for Greek Independence Day in Old Paphos, so on a very hot day we climbed up the hill.

The view was well worthwhile

The procession was long with representatives from local schools, colleges and groups.

It was great to see traditional dress...

...and traditional marching music.

Just by our viewing point, the Agios Kendeas Church

Walking back down we discovered the Church of Agia Sofia (now the Cami-i Kebir Mosque)...

...and a Hammam.

It didn't look to be in use these days...

...so this statue would have a long wait.

Famagusta & Varosha

The highlight of our excursion was to visit Varosha. But first Famagusta, the walled city situated in the Turkish occupied territories.

The old Cathedral of Saint Nicolas, now the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque

Part of the Venetian Palace ruins...

...and part of the medieval Church of Saints Peter & Paul.

We also found a little bistro with a couple of drinks...

...and a very persistent cat, hinting at being fed!

Varosha is an area of Famagusta and is now sometimes know as a ghost town.

Rather than go into details here, browse through this link: https://www.cwu.edu.tr/famagustas-ghost-town-varosha/

There are safety signs everywhere...

...warning you to keep away.

Varosha was a bustling town until 1974...

...so over 50 years of dereliction...

...this crane still standing.

There aren't many takers at the King George Hotel...

...or the White Horse Inn.

The seafront with its many high-rise apartments & hotels, now abandoned.

Although not a particularly good read (in my opinion) Victoria Hislop's 'The Sunrise' really sets the scene when the Turkish took over the area, and families were forced to leave.

Salamis & Agios Sergios

We did a couple of day excursions whilst in Paphos.

First stop Salamis...

...with its ancient theatre.

Our guide then took us to Agios Sergios  in Turkish Cyprus.

There we walked around beautiful ruins of an iron-age city.

I'll let the photos do the talking.

Churches & an old vehicle

 They're not short of churches in Paphos!

The church of Church of Agion Anargyron from the front...

...and the back. Its domes make it very recognisable on the skyline.

Nearer to our hotel we discovered the Agia Solomoni Catacomb

Steps leading down...

...to a very spooky space.

Avoiding the flooded area we came upon this shrine...

...and looking up, what's on the railings?

It's a tradition to tie cloth rags to railings, walls & trees.

Not far away, the Church of Panagia Theoskepasti 

It's impressively built on a rocky outcrop.

The original church dates back to the 10th century...

...but this version was built in 1923.

To finish, a fabulous old minibus parked opposite our hotel.