Salamis

Salamis

Introduction to the Attraction

Salamis is located about 9.6 km north of Famagusta in the eastern part of Cyprus. In ancient times, it was an important city-state on the island, founded by heroes of the Trojan War.

From 1194 to 1184 BC, the ten-year Trojan War (narrated in Homer’s epic *Iliad*) took place between Greece and Troy (an ancient city in the northwest of Asia Minor, now Hisarlik in Turkey). Teucer, son of King Telamon of Salamis Island in Greece and one of the war’s heroes, crossed the sea to the eastern shore of Cyprus, built a city, and named it after his homeland.

For about 2,000 years, Salamis played a significant role among the island’s city-states. During the Roman period (58 BC–395 AD), it was hailed as the “Oriental Emporium.” In the early days of Byzantine rule over Cyprus, it served as the island’s capital. The city was later destroyed by an earthquake and buried under sand and gravel.

The son of Emperor Constantine rebuilt Salamis, though on a smaller scale than the original. Today, visitors can only explore the excavated ruins to get a sense of this once-thriving ancient city-state. The uncovered Roman theater is the largest of its kind not only in Cyprus but also along the Mediterranean coast. It is semi-circular and open-air, with a stage diameter of 27.5 meters and a capacity of over 20,000 spectators. In addition, the excavation site has revealed a Roman marketplace, numerous marble columns, statues, and an early water supply system.

Kyrenia, Cyprus