The small resort town of Protaras is located in the southeastern part of the island of Cyprus in the Famagusta region and is part of the local community of Paralimni.
A picturesque bay with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea, crystal clear water, magnificent sandy beaches and a tiny island nearby - all this is Protaras. The sights of this cozy town annually attract many fans of a calm and measured holiday from all over the world.
A little digression into history
People in the place where modern Protaras is located, settled a long time ago. Back in the days of Ancient Greece, the policy of Lefkola was founded in a small but convenient harbor. It was in these parts in the 1st century BC. e. The Macedonian Demetrius I Poliorketos defeated the Egyptian satrap Ptolemy. But time has left almost nothing of the ancient city, with the exception of small ruins. Until now, in the vicinity of Protaras, excavations are underway of the ancient city of Kourion, which was almost completely destroyed as a result of a powerful earthquake in the 4th century AD. e.
As for modern history, after the war that took place in 1974,Cyprus was divided into two parts - Turkish and Greek. As a result, the part of the island where Protaras is located had to be restored almost from scratch. That is why there are not so many old buildings that most other famous resorts are famous for. Practically devoid of historical monuments of architecture, Protaras, whose sights were created already in our time, it is worth noting, did not become worse from this. For those who are going on vacation in this small Mediterranean town, there is always something to see.
What to see in Protaras
So, what are the attractions of Protaras on the map of this resort town?
Of the architectural monuments, it is worth visiting the Church of St. Elijah the Prophet (Agios Elias). This temple, towering on one of the rock fragments, looks especially beautiful at night, when it is lit with special lighting. During the day, the site offers simply stunning views of the sea and the coast.
By the way, in order to admire the beauties of nature, it is better to go to the nearby Cape Greco, famous for its white sand beaches and famous sea caves. And in the depths of the island is the Valley of windmills, which are used to supply water for irrigation of nearby fields.
The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary is another architectural monument that Protaras is famous for. The sights that can be seen here are a collectionporcelain plates dating back to the 18th century. There is also a museum of Byzantine culture.
Walking through the city center, you can not ignore the local Historical Museum, where you can look at an interesting collection of carriages, pottery and toys. Also worth a visit is the Folk Art Museum, famous for its collection of furniture, copper items, costumes, craftsmen's tools.
It is worth a special stop at the Dancing Fountain Show, which is especially popular with all tourists arriving in Cyprus. Protaras, whose sights map does not abound with famous architectural monuments, still attracts visitors from all over the island. More than 18,000 jets, driven by powerful pumps, lit by spotlights and controlled by sophisticated computer systems, create a unique holiday feeling. You can admire this amazing sight for hours.
Every year in Protaras all kinds of holidays and festivals are held. The most colorful of them is the Apokreo carnival, which takes place at the end of winter - beginning of spring. Almost the whole of July is a continuous Arts Festival, and a week in September is a Wine Festival.
On the streets of Protaras there are many small cafes, restaurants, pubs where you can taste national cuisine or drink local wine. Although it is worth noting that the vibrant nightlife that is typical for most Cypriot cities is not about Protaras. The attractions of the resort are local nature and the sea, where you can not onlyswim, but also scuba dive to enjoy the beauty of the underwater world, which is extremely diverse here.
