The ancient city of Tamassos (Tamassos) description and photos - Cyprus: Nicosia (Topic)

Ancient Tamassos city description and photos - Cyprus: Nicosia. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Tamassos.

Photo and description

Just two dozen kilometers southwest of Nicosia, you can see the ruins of the ancient city-state of Tamassos, which was once a rather significant administrative unit of Cyprus.

Scientists so far that it was not possible to find out anything specific about the history of Tamassos. It is, however, mentioned in Homer's poem "The Odyssey", which is the oldest mention of this city. In addition, information about Tamassos can also be found in the annals of the Assyrian king Assarhadon.

The very first settlement on this site appeared in the Eneolithic era, as evidenced by the burials and various objects found during excavations. It is believed that it was originally a small village of farmers, which after some time turned into a large city thanks to the opening of copper mines there. Copper later became the main wealth of Tamassos, the trade of which was the basis of its economy. And by the 10th century, after the depletion of the mines, the city gradually fell into decay.

Full-scale excavations at the site where this settlement was once located were not carried out, since today there are the villages of Politiko, Episkopio and Pera ... However, even thanks to the few studies that were still possible to carry out, valuable artifacts were found that allow you to learn more about the history of Tamassos. So, for example, royal tombs, city fortifications, works of art, installations and tools for processing copper, and much more were discovered. But the most significant finds were temples dedicated to Cybele (mother of the gods) and Aphrodite. The Tamassos necropolis was located very close to the latter.

Every year, the Tamassos Cultural Association, established at the end of the last century, organizes a wonderful festival "Tamassia" for local residents and tourists, the main purpose of which is to draw attention to the cultural heritage of this region .

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Topic: The ancient city of Tamassos (Tamassos) description and photos - Cyprus: Nicosia.