Some myths and some legends (Cyprus)
Go to any country that has been on a map for a long time period and there is a chance that you will encounter a bunch of citizens that take pride in their country and all the history they have, the good and the bad. It is no wonder that the residents of Cyprus are a proud bunch considering everything they went through and will stories to any one that is willing to listen. But even though they went through hard times the things that always remained incredible beside their population are the landmarks. Every country have great spots, so does Cyprus. As far as stories are concerned, well they are being told from generation to generation so that today’s Cyprians don’t forget where they are coming from. But it does something besides telling them stories of past heroes; it also teaches them, lessons and shows them how things were done back then. They will use this knowledge most of the time to make things better in their time.
Throughout history and even today, the territory occupied in the South are occupied by Greeks. Knowing the history of Greece and how myths were important to them, it’s no wonder they expanded to South Cyprus. Some of their most spread histories are saying that lived in Cyprus monsters, giants, gods etc. When you go to most country and you see a landscape that is incredible, there is generally a legend associated with it. However, in our case, the most famous story heading from South Cyprus is that this is apparently where one of the most gorgeous woman in Greek history have been born and her name is Aphrodite. Some other legends also originate from Cyprus. There is the story of the horned god, of the amazing Five Finger Mountains, of a secret garden that hold many treasures, of St. Hilarion's castle. Well of course they are all special in their own way. Each habitants of the South have been told these legends at least once in their life. So without further ado I’ll tell you with a little more detail some of the stories above.
The sexiest goddess in history is said to have originated from this gorgeous island (gorgeous island, gorgeous goddess – it figures). She apparently appeared inside sea foam. Is it there or in Greece, it depends where you go but I believe that it is in Cyprus. The other legend is from a super famous poem that talks about a bunch of guys that gave a huge gift to a king (a wooden horse) does it ring a bell? Well the Troyes apparently found the great city of Salamis. Next is the guy that everyone in Cyprus looks up to: Dhiyenis Akritas. He apparently created the Kyrenia Mountains. Wait to go Dhiyenis. But my favorite story of them all is the treasures that are hidden in the St. Hilarion's garden. They are wise people to tell so many incredible stories. The tourists always flock there and I may just be there next year for my vacations to live the past.
Are all those stories even a bit true? Who knows and in the end who cares. In a place where it has been called paradise on earth or sometimes the garden of Eden, maybe that some part of it is true.
