Ayia Napa: Difference between revisions
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==World record== |
==World record== |
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Following the proposal of |
Following the proposal of Yiannis Karousos [http://www.yianniskarousos.com], 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 [[Tourism in Cyprus|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 synchonised step for the attempt to qualify. The event drew the attention of tourists and locals, many of which danced to Zorbas on the beach and in the sea.<ref>[http://grhomeboy.wordpress.com/2007/09/17/ayia-napa-hopes-for-guinness-record/ Ayia hopes for Guinness record]</ref> |
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==Twin City== |
==Twin City== |
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Revision as of 00:36, 12 November 2010
Ayia Napa | |
|---|---|
| Αγία Νάπα (Greek) Ayia Napa (Turkish) | |
| File:Fig tree agia napa.jpg | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Country | Cyprus |
| District | Famagusta District |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Antonis Tsokkos |
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2001[1]) | |
| • Total | 2,693 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Website | http://www.agianapa.org.cy/ |
Ayia Napa (Greek: Αγία Νάπα; Turkish: Aya Napa; officially transliterated into English as Agia Napa) is a resort at the far eastern end of the south coast of the island of Cyprus, famous for its sandy beaches. In recent years, apart from being a family holiday destination, it has become a 'party capital' similar to Ibiza, Rimini and Mykonos. As of late, it has become particularly popular with UK Grime, House and Garage artists/MCs for holidays and gigs in its clubs and other venues.
Etymology
The name Ayia Napa is derived from a Venetian-era monastery of the same name, located in the center of the town, next to the square which today is the clubbing center. The word "Ayia" (Agia) means "holy" in Greek. The word 'Napa' is archaic and it means "wooded - valley" or dell. In ancient times the area surrounding the town was covered with thick forest.
History
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 Virgin Mary was called Virgin Mary of Napa, eventually shortened and now know 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, and so began the village of Ayia Napa.
Geography
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 miles) away from Protaras, a town that has recently seen similar development, but still manages to remain low-key and remains more favorable for families and Cypriot locals.
Tourism
Ayia Napa attracts a large number of tourists and features a number of sandy beaches, on which watersports 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. All beaches in Agia Napa have been awarded with the EU blue flag for their level of cleanliness and facilities offered. The most popular of these beaches is Nissi beach, which is visited mainly by clubbers and young people at summer and gets very busy. Another of the beaches is the Harbour Beach (also known as Limanaki (CTID) or Pantahou beach), which is one of the longest beaches of Cyprus, and the longest beach in Ayia Napa. Harbour Beach caters more for families and is a more relaxing beach. The New Golden Bay, or Lanta / Landa beach as it is known to the locals, is a less busy beach with a number of activities available. Several hotels and apartments are situated on Nissi Road, including Nissi Beach Hotel, Kaos Hotel Apts and others.
The Square, central to the town, is filled with restaurants, night clubs and shops, such as & Restaurant, Abyss Club which is where Boy Better Know are at every summer, Babylon Superclub, The Castle Club, Black & White Club, Starskys, Club Ice, Play, Carwash & Bars such as Guru Bar, Pepper, The Napa Castle Bar, Senior Frogs, Pirates, Sky Bar, Titanic, Hollywood, Bedrock Inn, the jammin and River Reggae to name but a few. It is by many seen as the focal point of the Agia Napa night-life.
Ayia Napa has changed its image somewhat over the years, from a fishing village to a clubbers' paradise and now has found its place as a multi - cultural town predominantly playing House, Electro, Tech, R&B, Garage & 70's & 80's, catering for all. This change happened when in 1995, a DJ called Nick Power from London's Kiss FM opened up a club in the town called the Kool Club. The Kool Club changed Ayia Napa's mainstream club style and brought the underground style of House music to the resort, and from then on all the other clubs tried to follow suit and bring over Guest DJs and events to try and compete. Over the years to come, Ayia Napa was called the clubbing capital of Europe, and DJ Nick Power gained the tag "Godfather of Ayia Napa" on a BBC TV documentary on the resort. A new cocktail was invented consisting of Vodka and Sprite mixed 50/50 going by the name "Pool-grogg" or its less known name "Swedish water". It's boosted most clubs cocktail-sales since it was introduced to the masses bumping out Vodka-redbull and Sex on the beach. Various acts visiting the island include DJ Tiesto, Above & Beyond, Sander Kleinenberg, Ferry Corsten, John Digweed DJ Luck & MC Neat, Armand Van Helden and Boy Better Know amongst others. Ayia Napa is also a very popular summer destination for various footballers, past visitors including Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Sol Campbell, Andy Cole and many more. Cape Greco is a 10 minute drive from the center of Ayia Napa, and is considered one of the most beautiful places on the island offering site seeing, cliff jumping and a variety of other activities.
Sea monster
In Cape Greco many locals claim that there exists the Ayia Napa Sea Monster reported to resemble a cross between a porpoise and dragon. There have been only a dozen or so reported sightings and photographs. Some suggest that it is a direct descendent from pre-historic times.
Monastery
Agia Napa Monastery is the best known landmark of the Agia Napa area. It has a charm and charisma that represents a time when Ayia Napa was just a sleepy fishing village. It seems that in ancient times, the location where the monastery and the village exists today, was covered with a thick forest, visited only by hunters from the neighbouring villages.
Museums and ruins
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 to the Cypriot and foreign visitor 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 marine heritage of Cyprus, from prehistoric times to present. Located at the centre of Agia Napa, the presence of the Museum serves to display marine artefacts, conduct educational programmes and community cultural events, as well as foster interest in Cyprus' rich sea-history. 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 in the locality of Makronissos. 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.
Festival
The Ayia Napa Festival was first held in September 1985 and has been established as an annual event since then. It occurs in Sepheris Square in Ayia Napa Monastery. These 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.
World record
Following the proposal of Yiannis Karousos [1], 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 synchonised step for the attempt to qualify. The event drew the attention of tourists and locals, many of which danced to Zorbas on the beach and in the sea.[2]
Twin City
Gallery
References
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2010) |
- ^ Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus (MS Excel), 2001 Population Census
- ^ Ayia hopes for Guinness record
Proposals of Yiannis Karousos - Guinness Records for Ayia Napa
External links
