THE ROAD TO CYPRUS

Written by MOTORBIKE EUROPE Road Writers -

If you’re going on a trip to Cyprus, you’ll probably need to hire your two wheels. There aren’t a lot of long motorcycle rides you can take there. Cyprus is one huge water park, but one can’t be in the water all the time, so rent a motorbike and get out around the island, there’s plenty to look at.

In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, and occupied the northern third of the island. Since that time, Northern Cyprus has been established, but the government in the north is not recognized by other states than Turkey. Conversely, Turkey no longer recognizes the Greek Cypriot government, on the southern part of the island. After the 1974 invasion, thousands of Greeks fled to the south, as the Turkish army drove out nearly all the remaining Greeks, from the north of the island.

Kypros means copper in Greek, because the island is rich in copper deposits. The oldest settlements date back to around 7,000 BC, when settlements were concentrated along the north and south coasts. Remains of vessels built of stone from this period have been found here.

Cyprus was part of the road to Ancient Jerusalem, and Richard the Lionheart came here and conquered the island. He married the beautiful Berengaria of Navarree, in Limassol. She was later crowned as an English Queen. Richard wanted to keep the island, and sell it to the Knights Templar. For around 100 years, the island was governed by mighty Venice, which fortified the cities, to withstand attack from the Ottomans.

Go on a beach holiday in Cyprus, rent a good motorbike, and take a ride through the ancient culture.