| Ayia Napa | |||
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| Αγία Νάπα (Greek) Aya Napa (Turkish) | |||
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Ayia Napa
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Cyprus | ||
| District | Famagusta District | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Antonis Tsokkos | ||
| Population (2001)[1] | |||
| • Total | 2,693 | ||
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | ||
| Website | http://www.agianapa.org.cy/ | ||
Ayia Napa (Greek: Αγία Νάπα, pronounced [aˈʝa ˈnapa]; Turkish: Aya Napa) is a resort at the far eastern end of the southern coast of Cyprus, famous for its sandy beaches. In recent years, apart from being a family holiday destination, it has become a 'party capital' together with Ibiza, Rimini and Mykonos. As of late, it has become particularly popular with the familiar UK originated music such as Dubstep, Drum and Bass, UK Grime, House and Garage artists/MCs, and more recently, Scottish grime music for holidays and gigs in its clubs and other venues.
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The name Ayia Napa is derived from a Venetian-era monastery of the same name, located in the centre of the town, next to the square that today is the clubbing centre. The word "Ayia" (Agia) means "holy" in Greek. "Napa" is archaic and means "wooded valley" or dell. In ancient times the area surrounding the town was covered with thick forest.
According to local legend, the now renowned original icon was accidentally discovered by a hunter in hot pursuit of his prey. Upon discovery, the icon of the Virgin Mary was called Virgin Mary of Napa, eventually shortened and now known as Ayia Napa. The present monastery, built in 1500, was built around the cave, in honour of the Virgin Mary of Ayia Napa. According to local tradition, until 1790 no-one lived within close vicinity of Ayia Napa. The first inhabitants who actually appeared and settled were twenty men from Salonica, Greece.
Geographically, Ayia Napa lies near Cape Greco at the eastern part of Cyprus, just south of Famagusta and forms part of a larger area known as Kokkinochoria (a name derived from the red colour of its soil). It is a town of Famagusta District, in the remaining southern part of the district not occupied by Turkish forces in 1974. Ayia Napa is about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Protaras, a town that has recently seen similar development, but still manages to remain low-key and remains more favourable for families and Cypriot locals.
Ayia Napa attracts a large number of tourists and features a number of bathing beaches, on which water sports such as water-skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, scuba diving and speed boating are popular. The Cyprus Tourism Organization supervises the beaches and is responsible for protecting the interests of all tourists. The most popular of these beaches is Nissi beach, which is visited mainly by younger people in the summer and gets quite crowded; it offers great water sports facilities. Another is the Harbour beach (also known as Limanaki (CTID) or Pantahou beach), which is one of Cyprus' longest, and the longest in Ayia Napa. Harbour beach caters more for families. The New Golden Bay (or Lanta / Landa beach as it is known to the locals) is less crowded, but there are still a number of activities available. Several hotels and apartments are situated on Nissi Road, including Nissi Beach Hotel, Kaos Hotel Apartments among others. All beaches in Ayia Napa have been awarded the EU blue flag for their level of cleanliness and facilities. Cyprus, with 53 Blue Flag beaches has three records:
The Square, central to the town, is filled with high end restaurants, night clubs and shops, such as The Castle Club and Nikita's. Ayia Napa has changed its image somewhat over the years, from a fishing village to a Mediterranean paradise and has now found its place as a multicultural town, catering to all tastes.
Ayia Napa has catered to some of the most famous celebrities in the world, such as the Beckham family and Beyoncé. Ayia Napa is also a popular summer destination for various footballers; past visitors having included Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Sol Campbell and boxer David Haye.
Cape Greco is a ten-minute drive from the centre of Agia Napa and is considered one of the most beautiful places on the island offering sightseeing, cliff jumping and a variety of other activities.
In Cape Greco many locals claim that there exists the Ayia Napa sea monster, reported to resemble a cross between a porpoise and a dragon, of which there have been only a dozen or so reported sightings and photographs. Some suggest that it is a direct descendant of a creature of prehistoric times.
Cyprus is known for its handicrafts and boutiques, while in Ayia Napa, the shops are interspersed with outlets selling designer sunglasses and watches.
Ayia Napa Monastery is the best known landmark of the Agia Napa area. It has a charm that represents a time when Agia Napa was a sleepy fishing village. It seems that in ancient times, the location where the monastery and the village exists today, was covered by thick forest, visited only by hunters from the neighbouring villages.
The town contains a number of museums. The Tornaritis - Pierides Museum of Marine Life was founded in June 1992 in Agia Napa and is located at the lower level of the Town hall. It exhibits past and present marine life, scientifically classified. Its main purpose is to show the marine fauna of Cyprus and the Mediterranean, helping the study and research of this part of Natural History, but also to stress the importance and necessity of preserving the marine environment.
Thalassa, the Municipal Museum of the Sea in Agia Napa, is dedicated to the enhancement, promotion and preservation of the marine heritage of Cyprus, from prehistoric times to the present. Located at the centre of Agia Napa, the Museum displays marine artifacts and serves as a centre for educational programmes and community cultural events. The Museum houses sculptures, engravings, ceramics and paintings of seascapes made by some of the greatest 19th and 20th century Greek and Cypriot artists.
The Makronissos Tombs are found west of Agia Napa village. They are an ancient burial site, located at a stepped road, which leads down to a rectangular entrance. The entrances were originally closed with one large or two smaller calcarenke slabs.
The Ayia Napa Festival was first held in September 1985 and has been established as an annual event since. It takes place in Sepheris Square in Ayia Napa Monastery. The festivities reflect the historic, cultural and agricultural traditions of Ayia Napa and Cyprus as a whole. The programme includes theatrical performances, operas, concerts and Cypriot and foreign folk dancing.
The Ayia Napa Youth Festival was established in 2010[2] when the Ayia Napa youth council decided to organise a festival similar to the large music festivals of Europe, combining activities and music. The festival is based on several principles such as free entrance, the headliners to be chosen by the public,a charity goal, a social responsibility message attached to it; all styles of music are welcome. At the first festival which took place at the harbour square of Ayia Napa more than 10,000 people visited the festival during the three-day period with bands such as the Greek reggae act Locomondo, the pop-rock band MPLE and the hip hop band Stavento featuring Ivi Adamou. Also 25 bands performed, most of them in the music styles of rock and metal. In 2011 the Ayia Napa Youth Festival will become international and will include the band Stratovarius, Sabaton, Rotting Christ, Nightstalker and 20 bands from all over Europe and Cyprus.
The Ayia Napa Waterworld themed Waterpark is the biggest waterpark in Europe. [3]Waterworld Themed Waterpark in Ayia Napa has received major international recognition for marketing and Innovation from a spectrum of the Waterpark associations around the globe winning over 25 prestigious awards to date. In our Greek themed world you will find upgraded attractions to entertain children and adults alike, extensive relaxation areas for parents and more playground areas for the kids, ensuring they have a great holiday and a memorable stay in Ayia Napa, Cyprus. Not only does Waterworld boast a range of exhilarating attractions in a relaxing and fun environment but also offers the guests a variety of delicious, mouth watering hot and cold meals, snacks and deserts from a choice of the six in park catering outlets. Coupled with the security of the lockers, the great selection of Waterworld merchandise from the Midas Gift Shop and the opportunity for the guests to get their very own souvenir framed photo as they encounter the Greek mythological adventures of Waterworld makes this Themed Waterpark truly a great day out! Waterworld is open 7 days per week April & October Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm May–September Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm
Following the proposal of Yiannis Karousos[4] the President of the Ayia Napa Tourism Committee, on September 16, 2007, the world's longest chain of syrtaki dancers (a traditional Greek dance) danced to Zorba the Greek in a successful attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. The chain had a total of 268 members of eight groups dancing in step to Zorbas. Ayia Napa Mayor Antonis Tsokkos said the aim of the event was to send the message that the village was interested in Greek culture and to promote the tourist resort abroad. Head of the cultural services of the Municipality Maria Tofini said that, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the dancers had to perform in synchronised step for the attempt to qualify. The event drew the attention of tourists and locals, many of whom danced to Zorbas on the beach and in the sea.[5]
Proposals of Yiannis Karousos - Guinness Records for Ayia Napa
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