Polis Chrysochous
Polis Chrysochous is situated about 36 kilometers away from Paphos in the homonymous province of Cyprus, about 180 kilometers from Nicosia and 125 kilometers northwest of the city of Limassol.
On the northern side of Cyprus, at a short distance from the Akamas Peninsula and at the edge of the Troodos Mountains region, Polis Chrysochous is the smallest independent municipality of Cyprus with the longest history, covering an area of 18700 acres and with a permanent population of about 3,000 inhabitants. Also known as simply Poli, for the locals, the modern settlement of the town extends to the homonymous bay with the laced sandy shores. From a small hamlet of the 18th century, in the late 19th century (since 1882) it has developed into a small town, and during the Ottoman domination it became the center of the administrative district of the region. The municipality of Polis Chrysochous has also been twinned for many years with the municipality of Pinios, the municipality of Volvi, the municipality of Veria, the municipality of Chania, Crete, and the municipalities of Rostof Odon in Russia and Teslik in Bosnia.
Being in fact the continuation of the ancient city of Mariou, Polis Chrysochous was first inhabited in the Neolithic era, flourished in the Middle Ages as the city of Arsinoe, functioned as the seat of the Archdiocese, and was abandoned due to the Arab invasions (7th century). Built on the ruins of these two ancient cities, this town of Paphos has over 3000 years of history. Excavations in the area showed that immediately after the Trojan War, Achaean miners came and settled in the area, which was known in antiquity for its rich copper deposits. According to mythology, the son of Theseus, Akamas, had passed from the area and indeed gave his name to the homonymous cape, while from the end of the 2nd Neolithic period and in the Chalcolithic era, Marieas, a mythical king, founded a settlement here. From coins of the era that came much later to light, in the second half of the 5th century BC two great kings, (Stasikos and Timoharis), ruled the community. When the Ptolemeans conquered Cyprus (312 BC), the population of the settlement was moved to Paphos, and the community was re-founded by Philadellus Ptolemy, who eventually named it Arsinoe in honor of his daughter. The community was gaining in power and strength during the Hellenistic and Roman times until the Byzantine period, when it was eventually deserted during the times of the Ottoman domination.
The old mine of Limni (which is said to have mined gold, and hence the name of Chrysochou, when gold in Greek is chrysos) helped the community of Polis Chrysochous to develop into a modern town with schools and all sorts of shops. The square, the central core of the community, has been restored and stretches along a picturesque pedestrian street bustling with banks, bakeries, hotels, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The central church of the community, the 16th century temple and the former mosque, Agios Andronikos, has been converted into a park and is considered ideal for relaxation, while the church of Agia Kyriaki, known as Chrysopolitissa, built on the ruins of an older temple, are the Christian monuments of the town.
However, its greatest asset has always been its strategic location, between Akamas and many important sights of Cyprus, such as the Aphrodite’s Baths. Next to it, Latsi, the harbor that used to export locust beans, has become a picturesque destination and is known all over the island for its fresh fish. It has also been recently expanded and can now accommodate over 200 recreational crafts. The wider area is home to many natural treasures and many natural paths, easy and difficult cycling routes, with the natural beauty of the place culminating in the beaches (Polis Chrysochous Municipal Beach, Dasoudi Polis Chrysochous Beach and Polis Chrysochous Camping Beach), which are stretching along the bay and are joined by a newly built pedestrian street, accessible to the disabled as well.
With its history that is closely related to the goddess Aphrodite, unfolding at the Mariou-Arsinoe Archaeological Museum, the entertainment and recreational venues such as the Polis Chrysochous Campsite and the Doctors Volunteers Park of Cyprus, some of the most successful events on the island, such as the "Days of Culture in Marion Arsinoe ", but also the warm climate, makes Polis Chrysochous one of the island’s all-time destinations.