Salamis was the most important ancient city in Cyprus, and the ruins are still impressive today. Set over a site over one kilometre long, and with a sandy beach along the entire length of the site, Salamis is a great place for a day out in North Cyprus. Allow plenty of time; to walk the entire site is a trek of almost 5km!
The remains we see to day at Salamis are from the Roman period, when Salamis was the main commercial centre of Cyprus. Salamis was a base for early Christianity, as the Apostle Barnabus lived and died in the city. In 116AD the Jews in Salamis revolted, and as a result all Jews were expelled from Cyprus.
When the Byzantines took over Cyprus, Salamis became the capital of the island, but the combined disasters of earthquakes and tidal waves in the fourth century, Arab raids in the seventh century and the gradual loss of the harbour due to silt from the river meant that nearby Famagusta grew in prominence. Salamis fell into decline, with medieval builders raiding the site for building stone.
The mains features of Salamis ruins are spread over the area of the site, so be sure to take a hat and a bottle of water in the summer.