Akamas
O Akamas, an area of unique beauty away from civilization, located about 40 km northwest of Paphos in the homonymous province of Cyprus.
Integrated in the Natura 2000 network, Akamas includes the homonymous peninsula and forest, and covers an area of 230 square kilometers (70000 acres of them are state forests – Meleti forest, Pegeia forest, Akamas forest, and 100000 acres are private agricultural land). Located in the western edge of Cyprus the whole landscape resembles Far West. In this large national park 25 different microecosystems of European importance have been recorded and it is the habitat of 168 species of endemic birds, 20 different reptiles and 16 unique butterfly species found only there, and 12 mammals such as the fox and the hare, classify the area as of vital ecological importance for the entire Mediterranean and any kind of residential development is forbidden. Out of the 530 species of native plants found in the area, 39 species are endemic, and 23 of them are endangered.
Linguistically Akamas means tireless, an adjective which according to mythology can be a reference to three ancient heroes. Whether the son of Antenor and Theano and hero of the Trojan War, or the son of Theseus and Phaedra and founder of two cities (in Cyprus and Phrygia), or the son of Theseus and Ariadne. The findings of archaeological excavations proved that the area was inhabited in the Neolithic period and the scattered Byzantine chapels of the peninsula indicate the development of various settlements in Roman years.
The 3000 years history of Akamas is entangled with many myths and mythological scenes. Theseus, when he learned the death of his beloved Ariadne, returned home in Athens and married her sister Phaedra, and made with her two sons, one of whom was called Akamas. Akamas is also referred as an emissary in Troy – long before the Troy war. Laodice, the daughter of Priam, fell in love with him and they had a son together. It is said that he took part in the Troy war where he also was in the Trojan horse, and then he went to Cyprus where he established a colony, Akamantida, where he tragically died. The Saracens completely destroyed that colony after some years, and today the fossilized shells and fragments of pottery, are the only real signs of the existence of these settlements of antiquity.
Akamas is visited by thousands of people every year making it one of the most popular natural attractions of Paphos, if not Cyprus. Despite its popularity it is one of the unexplored areas of the island as many of its aspects are still hidden from the hordes of tourists. The Arnaouti Peninsula – the tallest lighthouse of the island, the unspoilt gorge of Avakas with the running waters, the Aphrodite baths and the ‘spring of love’ Fontana Amorosa, the valleys with the rich ecosystems and habitats, dunes, gorges leading to wide sandy beaches with turquoise waters or concealed coves appropriate for diving, such as the Blue Lagoon of Paphos, and remote, rugged nature trails, requiring great physical strength or mountain biking are some of them.
Akavas offers countless options for exploration for the adventurous types as long as they have the time to do so. The 49 species of orchids, pine forests, cypresses, the maquis vegetation, the siines, the rasii, tulips, cyclamen, the steratzia with poisonous fruit which was used to sedate eels, a strange plant call the hair of Aphorite, red anemones, are some of the Mediterranean climate plants that one finds at first sight in this wild peninsula.
There, during May and June one will see the characteristic blue butterflies of the national park, currently under protection. The Lara beach is a necessary beach for those who visit the area as it is It is one of the most important breeding sites of green turtles (Mydas) both in Cyprus and in the Mediterranean. The excursion area of Smigies, near the old magnesium mines, offers a place to rest with panoramic view to Lara bay, Polis Chrysochous and the Akamas peninsula. Near the Tower of Rigaina there is an impressive huge centuries-old oak tree, many caves once inhabited by ascetics and the route is beautiful with stunning views.
It is not the easiest thing to reach Akamas, one will have to drive on dirt roads or walk rugged paths. A 4×4 vehicle is almost a necessity and the easiest route to enter the peninsula is through Neo Chorio Paphos or alternatively through Drousia or Agios Georgios Pegeias.