Salamis, the ancient city that carries the traces of many civilisations to the present day

As one of the important cultural heritages not only of the island of Cyprus but also of the Eastern Mediterranean
leaving deep traces in history, some of them under the sea and some under the sands,
Salamis, Ancient Greek, Assyrian, some of which were unearthed by archaeological excavations,
Egypt, Persia, Alexander the Great, Ptolemean Kingdom, Roman Empire and Byzantine period
was home to a lot of people.
Sheds light on history with post-classical remains
In the ancient city that hosts many civilisations in the past and sheds light on history; Roman
Amphitheatre, Gymnasium where sportive activities are carried out, Zeus Altar, Roman Baths
and street, Byzantine Cistern, aqueducts, Hellenistic and Roman Agora, Necropolis,
Campanopetra Basilica, built during the Christian era, once Cyprus'
Epiphanios, once the largest basilica in Cyprus, Roman Villa, Nikokreon Monument, Cellarga Mass
Tombs, Late period city walls, Oil mill, dated to VII. and VIII. centuries BC
large arched tombs, mosaics and coloured marbles on the walls, colonnaded
a large rectangular area with porticoes and marble depictions of various gods and goddesses
such as post-classical sculptures.
Its mysteries have been discovered over time
Discovered in the late 19th century, covered by trees and a layer of soil.
most of the ancient city between 1952-1974, the French delegation of the University of Lyon
by excavations carried out for 22 years. Mysteries discovered over time
The excavations of Salamis, which were interrupted in 1974, were resumed in 1998 by Ankara University and
It was resumed in cooperation with the Eastern Mediterranean University. Excavations lasted until 2013.
a Roman bath, a colonnaded avenue, two late buildings with three statues from the II century AD
were brought to light.
The historical remains are in the British Museum in London and St. Barnabas in the TRNC.
Exhibited in the monastery
Most of the archaeological finds date from the period between the 3rd and 4th centuries BC.
part at the Monastery of St. Barnabas, about 15 minutes from the ancient city
exhibited as part of the collection. Historical artefacts unearthed during excavations
Some of its remains are exhibited in the British Museum in London. The discovery of important remains and gold coins dating from 411 BC to 374 BC
the discovery of important remains and gold coins dating from 411 BC to 374 BC, the city's ancient
while revealing the important richness of the ages, mimosa, pine and eucalyptus
further excavations in this tree-covered area will surely lead to the discovery of
will reveal many more lost secrets.
One of the most important trade centres of the island until the 9th century AD
Salamis Ruins, which is a very important region in terms of tourism sector,
Pedios (Kanlıdere), which originates from Troodos Mountain 6 kilometres north of Famagusta
It was founded in the late Bronze Age in a basin near the river. Next to the village of Tuzla
Enkomi, a large Late Bronze Age settlement, lost its importance in the XI century BC.

together with Salamis, Salamis grew gradually in a process that would last until the IX century AD.
It emerged on the stage of history as one of the most important centres of the island. Salamis
the Meseria plain, one of the richest and most fertile areas of the island of Cyprus, lying to the west
and Syria, Palestine, and the Near East coasts, allowing it to develop trade relations
made good use of the advantages of its harbours.
Founded in the late Bronze Age
Spanning an area of one square mile along the coast and inland of Northern Cyprus
Although there are numerous legends about the foundation of the ancient city, two narratives stand out.
One of them is that the tribes coming from Anatolia with the migrations at the end of the Bronze Age
and that it was founded by Achaeans from Greece. Another rumour is
That it was founded by Teukros, son of Telamon, king of the Greek island of Salamis
mythological story. During the Trojan War, he was accused of not preventing his brother Ajax's suicide and
Teukros, who was expelled from his country by his father because he could not take revenge, came to Cyprus
He founded a city and named it after his hometown Salamis. The first thing he did was
built a temple dedicated to Zeus, the most powerful and important god in mythology.
Becomes the capital of the kingdom
The city of Salamis was founded by Alexander the Great, who took the city after the Assyrian, Egyptian and Persian civilisations.
After his death, the Ptoleme Kingdom took Cyprus in 294 BC, and this
the kingdom comes under the rule of the kingdom. And it becomes the capital for the first time in its history. Salamis
This bright period continued during the Roman rule. During this period, Roman
It became one of the most important trade centres of the Empire in the east. 76-77 AD
The city was destroyed by earthquakes and Jewish riots in 116 AD.
It was then annexed to the Antiocheia (Antakya) province of the Roman Empire. During this period
The importance of the port of Salamis increased, it became the first port of call for Syrian ships, and it became prosperous again.
and it's back.
It loses its importance in the Middle Ages
The city of Salamis underwent a rapid westernisation process starting from its foundation. BC. I. thousand
As revealed by archaeological findings, prosperity and abundance reigned in the city.
The city of Salamis, which was a glorious and famous city for hundreds of years, was founded in the IV century AD.
will never regain its former splendour after two severe earthquakes in the middle of the year.
With its collapse, a new era in the city's history began. The impact of the earthquakes
the Byzantine emperor Constantine II, as a result of the increasing growth of the city.
rebuilt it in a small structure. Salamis was created as a Christian city.
cultural identity as well as its name, Constantia, in honour of the Emperor's name.
changed. The city became the capital of Cyprus again during this period. Constantia continued its life until the Arab invasions in the 7th century AD.
Constantia continued its life until the Arab invasions in the VII century AD. After this period, the invaders
The city, which served as a shelter, lost its importance with the establishment of Famagusta in the Middle Ages and lost its importance in 647 AD.
years as a result of the great earthquakes that occurred with the Arab raids
people started to leave the city of Salamis and migrated to the nearby city of Famagusta.
It did. The siltation of the harbour led to the gradual decline of the town.
opened. After the people moved out of the city, Salamis was built on the walls and buildings in Famagusta.
a large quarry supplying materials. Strong north winds blew the ancient
abandoned Salamis, which was the capital of Cyprus for nearly a thousand years during the period
covered the ruins with sand. An important port and trade centre in ancient times
Salamis has survived successive invasions by the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians and Romans.
but eventually succumbed to the forces of nature. Some of the structures covered with sand
Until the first archaeological excavations at the end of the 19th century, they were preserved at their original height.
Also mentioned in the Bible
Salamis, the city where Greek coins were first minted in the VI century BC, is also a city mentioned in the Bible.
a city also mentioned in the Bible, as the "First Missionary Journey" in the first years after Christ.
in the well-known incident, the apostle Paul and the Cypriot-born apostle Barnabas were killed in Syria's
After setting off from Antioch, the first thing before travelling to other countries of the world
They set Salamis as their first destination on their journey. There, the other

by proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah in the Jewish synagogues before crossing into their territory,
They preached Christianity.
Inspired poetry
Born in Urla, Izmir, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, one of the most important Greek poets of the 20th century
During his visit to Cyprus in 1953, Giorgos Seferis wrote 'Salamina' in reference to the ancient city of Salamis.
He wrote a poem called 'Cyprus'. In the poem '... Salamis is now the metropolis of the cause of sighs'
in the city of Salamis.
Some historical textures to be seen in Salamis...
Walls and harbour:
Apart from the city walls surrounding the city in the north, south and west directions, there is also a harbour in the centre of the city.
There is a second city wall surrounding it. The city walls were destroyed by Arab (Islamic) raids in the VII century AD.
to protect against the ravages of the sea.
The city had two separate harbours. One of them is located in the south-east of the city, the most
the old harbour. The other harbour is the harbour in the north of the city, used in the Late Roman period.
Gymnassium
The Gymnasium at the north end of the city is marked with a carving on the floor pavement at the south entrance.
the inscription indicates that the oldest gymnasium here was a Hellenistic sports facility from the second century BC.
was determined to be. The gymnasium, which was damaged by earthquakes, was built by Emperor Traianus,
  Hadrian, Augustus and finally Constantine II during the Early Byzantine period
It was rebuilt during the period. At the northern entrance of the area surrounded by colonnaded porticoes on four sides
Swimming with marble statues of gods, goddesses and heroes from Greek mythology
pool and the eastern portico were added.
These sculptures are exhibited today, most of them headless. The statue of Augustus is in this section
while some columns and sculptures adorned the theatre, which was built in the IVth century.
brought in after an earthquake. The baths of the Gymnasium, reaching a height of six metres
walls are preserved and decorated with mosaics and frescoes with scenes from Greek mythology
decorated. 
Roman Amphitheatre
The Roman Amphitheatre, located south of the Gymnasium, is also one of the impressive
one of its specialities. It was first unearthed during excavations in 1959. Augustus
period and can accommodate 15,000 spectators with more than 50 row seats.
amphitheatre, destroyed in the IV century. Like the gymnasium, this building was extensively
renovated. The ancient theatre consists of three sections with stage building, orchestra and seating area.
is made up of. In the centre of the orchestra in the centre is an altar dedicated to Dionysus and Marcus
Cylindrical monument dedicated to Avurelius Commedus and Caesar Contanstinus and Caesar Maximianus
two column bases. The space in the middle of the seats is the box of honour.
Today, the amphitheatre hosts various concerts, festivals and events.
Artists like José Carreras and bands like Boney M. have also performed.
Agora
Located next to Vouta, this stone forum was a meeting place and market of Salamis. 230
x 55 metres, this forum in Salamis is one of the largest forums known. Two
Only one of the stoas and covered colonnades on the long side has survived to the present day.
Temple of Zeus
The main temple of the ancient city, which is now ruined, is located south of the Agora and
is reached by steps. The portico decorated with limestone and 12 columns in which the temple was built
in the centre of the city. A small part of the structure has survived to the present day.
Water Cisterns:
Located at the northern end of the agora, this Byzantine water cistern was built around 627-640 AD.
is believed to have been built. In order to bring water from Değirmenlik Village to Salamis city
A system of earthen cisterns and aqueducts was built. The walls of this cistern and 36

The remains of the square column have survived to the present day. The lower part of the water tank is in the soil and the upper
part of it was built in the open. Another Byzantine cistern near the Roman Pavilion,
It displays fragments of Christian paintings. The wall consists of three sections opening to each other
One of the paintings has inscriptions dating back to the VI century AD. The main panel of the cistern, above
depicting a water scene of fish and plants with the image of Jesus Christ inscribed
is doing it. The funnel-shaped structure consists of three parts.
Roman Villa: It is located south of the amphitheatre. The Romans, the sovereigns of the period
and was a two-storey building in its time, this building has a colonnaded entrance, an interior
It consists of a courtyard and a large living room.
Basilica of St Epiphanios:
The largest basilica in Cyprus, St Epiphanios is located just beyond the Roman Villa.
It was built around 400 AD by St Epiphanios, Bishop of Salamis, in the metropolis of Constantia.
This monument, built as a church, has a central nave separated by two rows of stone columns on both sides.
there are three corridors. On the south wall of the basilica where it meets the Campanopetra Basilica,
There is an empty marble sarcophagus, a stone coffin with inscriptions on it. It is believed to be
whose remains were taken to Constantinople by the emperor Leo during the attacks
believed to be the tomb of the bishop.
Campanopetra Basilica:
The Campanopetra basilica, built during the Christian era in the 4th century AD, is located in the harbour.
with a marvellous location not far from the sea. Three corridors to the west
a rectangular courtyard with wide columns under arches on all sides, adjacent to the basilica
consists of. There is a well in the courtyard, as well as a bishop's chair in the central apse and other
there is seating for the clergy. Behind the apse is a sauna with a bathroom.
of the chamber. In another room, the Roman world usually used marble, pearls
where glass is used, materials are cut to create a picture or pattern, and
with the opus sectile technique, a popular art in which walls are carved with inlays
There are impressive mosaics made.
Nikokreon Monument: It was built in the name of Nikokreon, the last emperor of Salamis.
Roman Baths: It is located east of the Gymnasium. Southwest of the ancient city
toilets, pipelines and water tanks arranged in a semicircle on the side
Located.
Tombs
Large arched tombs in the city dating to the VIIth and VIIIth centuries BC
are located. The tombs, built of fine cut stone and mudbrick, are the old
It also provides a glimpse into the social hierarchy of its inhabitants. The excavations revealed
Some of the tombs are King's tombs due to their structure and rich finds.
named as
Fulya OMAÇ / Cyprus - Famagusta