Agia Napa
Agia Napa , also Ayia Napa (pronunciation: Ajía Nápa), Greek Αγία Νάπα , is a place with 2,800 inhabitants (with residents and tourists up to 10,000) on the southeast coast of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus .
history
Before the invasion of the Turkish military in 1974, Agia Napa ("Agia" = "holy", "Napa" = "woodland") was a small and tranquil fishing and farming village with irrigated vegetables and potatoes.
The first mentions date back to 1530 when, according to legend, an icon of Mary was found in a forest cave. This was seen as a divine sign, and in thanks a monastery was built around which the later town center was built. According to the Venetian rule of that time, the architectural style of the monastery is also called Crusader Gothic . Today the monastery is the ecumenical center of the Christian churches in the Near and Middle East. About 2 km to the west, St. Thekla is said to have lived, where catacombs were carved in the rock in her honor and masses were also held.
Religious
The tourists usually have the possibility of attending a Holy Mass not only in the local Greek Orthodox churches, but also by offering a Catholic Mass, especially by the Franciscans (OFM) based on the island . Cyprus is under the jurisdiction of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem .
population
The majority of the Greek Cypriot population now lives outside the densely built-up old Agia Napa and has converted their former homes into shops, restaurants , discos and pubs . In addition to the many English who have chosen the area around the city as a retirement home, there is also a larger Swedish colony.
economy
The originally modest town with jobs in agriculture, handicrafts and fishing has become an important tourist center in barely two decades . After the Turkish occupation of the northern part of the island ( 1974 ) it took the place of Varosia (near Famagusta ) in terms of its tourist importance . The mistake of hotels that are very close together has not been repeated in Agia Napa. Most large hotels and apartment complexes extend along the coastline to the east and especially to the west, where some land reserves are still available.
Importance of Tourism
After Agia Napa and the neighboring Protaras , mainly young people from Great Britain , Scandinavia and Eastern European countries come to populate the countless bars and clubs next to the beaches . Soldiers from the nearby British base in Dekelia and UNO soldiers from Nicosia also come here to celebrate, not always without conflicts, so that the military superiors often impose bans on going out or certain local bans. The port of Ayia Napas is today also predominantly characterized by tourist use.
The Swedish-English tourism in Agia Napa is similar to the German in Mallorca . The actual beach operation begins around the beginning of May and ends in October. The sandy beaches are also guarded by lifeguards during this time . Russian and English tourists are known to bathe in the sea even at Christmas.
According to legend, the mythical sea monster, the Ayia Napa sea monster , is also said to live at Cape Greco, three kilometers east of Ayia Napa .
Attractions
Makronisso's tombs
The Makronissos graves, a cemetery from Hellenistic and Roman times, are carved into the rocks near the beach at Makronissos Beach. The burial chambers are empty.
monastery
From the Middle Ages, more precisely from the time of the Venetian Crusaders , a Gothic- style monastery has been preserved, which is located in the town center. Today it serves as an Orthodox meeting center, but can be visited.
Marienkirche
Below the monastery is the modern church of Ayia Napa, which inside is designed in the traditional style of the Orthodox church and is therefore very interesting for those interested in culture.
Thalassa Museum
The small Thalassa Museum contains extremely interesting and informative exhibits about the sea and ancient seafaring. The life-size replica of an ancient Greek merchant ship, the Kyrenia II, which was built on the basis of a shipwreck, is remarkable.
Papyrella
Kyrenia II
In the same building is the Tornaritis - Pierides Museum of Marine Life , which presents a rich collection of mussels, sponges as well as prepared fish and birds.
Attractions
The Agia Napa Water World Water Park In Agia Napa is the largest theme water park in Europe with many slides and other attractions. His theme is Greek mythology with replicas of ancient Greek buildings and statues of gods.
Personalities
- George Ioannou (known as 2J), a Greek-speaking Youtuber, lives in this village.
Web links
- Official website of Agia Napa locality (Greek, English)
Individual evidence
Coordinates: 34 ° 59 ′ N , 34 ° 0 ′ E