Polis & Latchi

Interesting Places

Medieval Churches

The churches of Agios Andronikos and Agia Kyriaki in nearby Polis date from the 15th century. In the late 16th century, invading Turks converted the first of the churches into a mosque and plastered over its frescoes.

Baths of Aphrodite

This is natural feature carved from limestone. Legend states that Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love, used to take her baths here.

Hiking Trails

Two very popular hiking trails begin in this area the Aphrodite and Adonis. Both trails wind through lush forest vegetation, ancient ruins and allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. The hikes can take from 2 o 3 hours or an entire day depending on whether you have a picnic for lunch or not.

Fishing

Yiangos & Peter Lovely, fabulous fish caught daily by family members of the owner family. The best and freshest fish i've ever eaten. Really, so nice and tasty. If you go to cyprus, you must have fish in Y&P. submitted by Villos Muchos, 02/12/07

La Plage restuarant

Situated on the road between Polis and Latchi. This restuarant is right on the beach with ample parking. Beautiful views and a very friendly warm welcome. The food is fabulous - I have eaten in many Cypriot Restuarants and can honestly say I have not tasted better Stifado or more tender Squid and the seafood Meze is beyond description. submitted by Ruth, 15/09/07

Crystal Marine

In Latchi Harbour I was really impressed with how the harbour has been developed. When I came last year it was being extended. Now the work has finished, it's lovely - growing up to be a proper marina. What really made our stay great this year was running into Crystal Marine in the Habour. They are an RYA Training centre and I had a fantastic day sailing the local bay. submitted by Jack Brennan, 30/12/06

Mystery's Beautiful taverna

Tucked away behind polis square. It's situated just bfore the co-op. Of an evening it is lit up with tea light candles, looks lovely! Tables are set outside on a small patio area, great food and service. They serve traditional cyprus dishes for a good price. A family of 5 can have a 3 course meal for only 6 cyprus pounds per head. I would definately reccommend that you try this taverna at leat once if you stay in Polis! submitted by Jodie, 07/07/06

Coral Bay

Just past Latchi. Finding a sandy beach in the Polis area is hard so Coral Bay is a real gem! Unlike Polis beach Coral Bay is sandy, has great waves and has a wide selection of watersports and pedalos. It has two bar/restaurants and shower facilities. It gets very busy as many of the locals use this beach so try to get there early to get a sunbed! submitted by Jodie, 07/07/06

Kathikas

Imogen's Superb! The food is incredible (this is THE place for a Meze) and very reasonably priced. Relaxed atmosphere and serene setting high in the hills in Kathikas, you just cannot go wrong by visiting! submitted by Kym Giles, 18/10/05

Aphrodite Water Park

If the kids are driving you nuts, this place will be worth the trip. Noted as being one of the finest parks of its kind in the Mediterranean, it uses the latest technology and guarantees a high level of safety and hygiene

Information taken from:travel-library

Polis & Latchi History

On present evidence Marion was already inhabited at the end of the Neolithic and through the Chalcolithic period. It began to prosper from the Cypro - Archaic period onwards and became one of the most important ancient Cypriot city - kingdoms in the Cypro - Classical period with important commercial relations with the East Aegean islands, Attica and Corinth. In 312 BC. it was conquered by Ptolemy I and the Kingdom was abolished until its recon quest by Ptolemy II Philadelphus who renamed the city after his sister and wife. The new city was smaller than Marion but it also flourished due to its close proximity to the copper mines. Arsinoe continued to exist in the Roman, Early Christian and Early Byzantine periods when it seems to have suffered extensive destruction by the Arab invasions of the 7th century A. D. Archaeological evidence indicates that the city was also inhabited during the Medieval period between the 12th and 14th century|14th]] centuries A.D.

In Egypt at Medinet Habu in the temple of Ramesses III, for example, there is a large 12th century BC. inscription which refers to Cyprus. The names of Cypriot Towns mentioned include Marion. However, the first definite reference to Marion occurred in 449 BC. when the city, as indeed other city- kingdoms of Cyprus, were under Persian rule. During that year, Kimon, the great Athenian general, freed the city from the Persians. Later, the ancient geographers spoke of the town as "Marion Ellinikon" - The Hellenic Marion. The Kingdom was rich in Gold and Copper ore, mind chiefly in the nearby Limni Mines. It was the natural wealth which led the city to a period of flourishing trade, especially with Athens, which in its turn, exported many attic pots to Marion. Samples of this pottery can be viewed at Polis Archaeological Museum.

According to tradition, Athenian Akamas, son of Theseus, disembarked near Polis after the Trojan war and gave his name to the Cape of Akamas and the city of Akamantis: a legendary city which has never been found. In ancient times, Polis was known as Marion, and was probably founded by Akamas or a certain Marieus. Marion was one of the city - Kingdoms founded by the Mycenaean's when they came to Cyprus. The Mycenaean's, or Achaeans, were the creators of the Mycenaean civilization in Greece, and they settled in Cyprus between 1400 BC. and 1100 BC. The Greek presence and the cities linked to the settlement of the Mycenaean's in Cyprus can be verified by inscriptions found in neighbouring countries.

The harsh battle for Cyprus between the successors of Alexander the Great, Antigonus and Ptolemy led Marion to destruction. Ptolemy, who finally prevailed, laid waste the city whose King had taken the side of Antigonus, and transferred its inhabitants to Paphos. Later, another member of the Ptolemy dynasty, Philadelphus, founded a new city on the ruins of Marion, and gave it the name of his wife, Arsinoe. The city, under its new name, prospered during the Hellenistic and Roman Ages. In early Christian times it was also an episcopate. For some years after that, there was no mention of the city until the late Middle Ages when reference was made to Chrysochous and later, Polis Chrysochous. Nowadays, Polis is the administrative center of the area which includes 23 Communities.