Limassol, also known as Lemesos, is a city on the southern coast of Cyprus. Limassol is the most populated municipality in Cyprus, with a population of 108,105 and is the second-largest urban area in Cyprus, after Nicosia, with an urban population of 198,558. It is the capital of the Limassol District with a population of 262,238.
Limassol was built between two ancient Greek cities, Amathus and Kourion. Its historical centre is located around the medieval Limassol Castle and the Old Port. The city spreads along the Mediterranean coast and extends beyond the castle and port, with its suburbs stretching along the coast to Amathus. To the west of the city is Akrotiri, part of the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
In 2014, Limassol was ranked by TripAdvisor as the third most up-and-coming destination in the world, in its Top 10 Travelers' Choice Destinations on the Rise list.KPMG: Cyprus Tourism Market Report In Mercer's Quality of Living Ranking, the city was ranked 90th in 2023, and 89th in 2017. In the 2022 GaWC ranking, Limassol was classified as a "high sufficiency" city, dropping one category from "gamma −" () in 2020.
Etymology The name "Limassol" derives from the ancient Greek word "Nemesos" (), meaning "one found in the middle". This likely refers to the city's location between the ancient towns of Amathus and Kourion. Over time, the name evolved into "Lemesos", which is known in English as "Limassol".
History Ancient
Limassol is situated between the ancient city-kingdoms of Amathus, founded around 1100 BC by Greek settlers, and Kourion, founded around the same time. Settlements in the modern area of Limassol were most likely founded after the decline and destruction of Amathus, around the 7th century AD. The area around Limassol shows evidence of human activity dating back to the Neolithic period (around 7000 BC). Sites like Khirokitia indicate the presence of early farming communities in the area. During the Bronze Age, the region saw the development of more complex societies, with evidence of trade and cultural exchanges with neighbouring regions. Ancient writers and geographers do not mention the foundation of the town.
According to the Council of Chalcedon of 451, the local bishop as well as the bishops of Amathus and Arsinoe were involved establishing the city, which became known as Theodosiana and Neapolis.The acts of the Council of Chalcedon by Council of Chalcedon, Richard Price, Michael Gaddis 2006 Bishop Leontios of Neapolis was an important church writer in the 7th century. The records of the 7th Synod (757) refer to it as the bishop's see. The town was known as Lemesos by the 10th century.
Medieval
The history of Limassol is bound up with the Third Crusade. The king of England, Richard the Lionheart, was travelling to the Holy Land in 1190. His fiancée, Berengaria, and his sister, Joan, were also travelling there, but on a different ship. Due to a storm, the women's ship arrived in Limassol. Isaac Komnenos, the renegade Byzantine governor of Cyprus, called the noblewomen ashore with the intention of holding them for ransom. When they refused he denied them fresh water and they had to put out to sea again. When Richard arrived in Limassol and met Isaac Komnenos, he asked him to contribute to the crusade. At first Isaac agreed but later refused. Richard took him captive and the entire island was taken over by the Anglo-Normans, bringing the long Byzantine dominion of Cyprus to an end.Wolff and Hazard, pp. 63–64 Richard celebrated his marriage with Berengaria who had received the crown as queen of England in Cyprus. Richard destroyed Amathus and the inhabitants were transferred to Limassol.
In 1191 Cyprus was sold for 100,000 bezants to the Knights Templar.
The knights imposed high taxes, to get back the money they had paid for Cyprus. This led to the revolt of the Cypriots, who wished to get rid of the bond of promise. Richard accepted their request and a new purchaser was found: Guy of Lusignan, a Roman Catholic from Poitou, who handed Cyprus over to the French house of Lusignan, thus establishing the medieval Kingdom of Cyprus.
For a period of about three centuries (1192–1489), Limassol enjoyed remarkable prosperity. Cyprus had a great number of Latin bishops, which lasted until the occupation of Cyprus by the Ottomans in 1570. The Latin battalions established monasteries and settled down there. The settlement of merchants in Cyprus and particularly in Limassol in the 13th century enhanced the welfare of its inhabitants. Its harbour became a centre of transportation and commerce, contributing greatly to its financial and cultural development.
Venetian rule In 1489 Cyprus was sold to Venice by the Cypriot queen Catherine Cornaro. The Venetians were not interested in Cyprus and only wanted to tax and exploit the island's resources. All the inhabitants were enslaved by the Venetians, and were obliged to give a third of their income, including products of the land. Travelers who visited Cyprus in the 16th century commented on the poor condition of the local population in the towns of the island.
In 1538 the Ottomans captured the city and Limassol Castle. The Venetian governor of Cyprus, after recapturing the castle, decided to demolish it to avoid its possible seizure. This destruction was completed in 1567–1568. Two years later the Ottomans recaptured the city.
Ottoman rule The Ottoman Empire began an invasion of Cyprus in 1570 that led to its occupation.Turnbull (2000), p. 57Abulafia (2012), p. 447 Limassol was conquered in July 1570 without any resistance. After the Ottoman acquisition of Cyprus in 1576, the remains or parts of the remains of the Limassol castle were incorporated in the new Ottoman fort, completed in 1590, which was considerably strengthened. The underground chamber and the first floor were transformed into prison cells and remained in use until 1950.
Some neighbourhoods, primarily to the east of the city, were predominantly Greek, while those to the west were mainly Turkish, with a mixed area around the castle. Christians lived in small, low houses that required one to bend to enter, a deliberate design to prevent Turks from riding horses into their homes. During the period of Turkish rule, Cyprus experienced a general decline. The Turks did not contribute to any development, and Greeks and Turks lived in separate neighbourhoods. The intellectual standards of Cypriots declined due to the lack of interest from the conquerors, oppression, and high taxation, which hindered the intellectual development of children.
The church played an important role in the education of Greeks from 1754 to 1821. Many new schools were established across the island, including the Greek School (modern-day Laniteio Lyceum) in Limassol. Greek history, Turkish and French were taught at schools.
British colony
In 1878, the British took over administrative control of Cyprus after the Cyprus convention. The first British governor of Limassol was Colonel Warren. He showed a particular interest in Limassol and from the first days the condition of the town showed an improvement. The roads were cleaned, the animals were removed from the centre, roads were fixed, trees were planted and docks were constructed for the loading and unloading of ships anchored off-shore. Lanterns for the lighting of central areas were installed in the 1880s. In 1912, electricity replaced the old lanterns.
A post office, a telegraph office and a hospital began to operate in the early years of British rule. In 1880, the first printing press started working. It was in this printing press that the newspapers Alithia and Anagennisis were published in 1897. The newspaper Salpinx was published at the same time.
At the end of the 19th century, the first hotels began to operate. Among these were Europe and Amathus. These changes that the British brought about contributed to the development of an intellectual and artistic life. Schools, theatres, clubs, art galleries, music halls, sport societies, football clubs etc. were all set up and meant a great deal to the cultural life of Limassol.
Modern day Due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Limassol were transferred to the north of Cyprus. Accordingly, many Greek Cypriots refugees settled in the city. When Famagusta was occupied by Turkish troops, Limassol experienced rapid growth fuelled by the large population increase and the need for housing. Many luxury hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues were built, making Limassol the new commerce centre of Cyprus, a role which had been filled by Famagusta.
Limassol has become the second largest city in Cyprus and hosts the island's main port. It is renowned for its extravagant annual events, attracting numerous visitors from both the island and around the globe.
Geography
Municipalities and quarters The Limassol urban area includes the Limassol Municipality and the municipalities of Kato Polemidia, Mesa Geitonia, Agios Athanasios, Germasogeia, and Ypsonas. For administrative purposes, the municipalities of Limassol are divided into quarters, with the exception of Ypsonas. +Map of Limassol's Municipalities and their quarters
Climate
Limassol has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa), closely bordering a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh), with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters, which are separated by short springs and autumns which are generally warm and sunny. From December to March, the weather is unsettled and can be rainy and windy. Sunshine averages around 6 hours a day. During this season there are a few days when the daytime highs might not exceed and the night time lows might be as low as but usually the temperature ranges from to in the day and from to in the night. Rain tends to be heavy this time of the year and thunderstorms occur often though they usually do not last for a long time.
Snow in Limassol is very rare and usually falls mixed with rain every 7 to 13 years. Snow mixed with rain fell in February 2004, in January 2008 and in February 2012. In January 2022 Limassol registered a record low temperature of . In spring the weather is mild to warm and pleasant. It is sunny almost every day and the temperatures are around in the day and in the night. Rain showers and thunderstorms are common especially in late March and April. Sometimes during the spring dust comes from the Sahara desert which degrades air quality in the city. Summer for Limassol is the longest season of the year, and lasts about six months; it begins in May and ends in October. At this time of the year, the weather is sunny every day and rain is rare. The temperatures range between to in June and September and to in July and August. In June, sea mist can sometimes occur, usually resolving early in the morning. Autumn is warm and usually sunny. It begins in the end of November and in December. During this period of the year, temperatures range from as low as to as high as .
This season the weather differs from year to year and it can be very wet with violent thunderstorms sometimes (October 2009 rainfall was around ) or very dry (October 2007 rainfall of ). Limassol receives around of rain each year but this varies from year to year and sometimes droughts do occur (every 3–5 years). The rainy season 2009–2010 was a wet one with precipitation being as high as in some areas whilst the rainy season of 2007–2008 was dry with only of rain. Hail is rare and usually falls between October and April.
+Average sea temperatureLimassol average sea temperature – seatemperature.orgJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
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