[SALAMIS] How to find the most interesting spots..?

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 17:14

If you ever visited Cyprus' most famous touristic attraction, ancient Salamis near Famagusta, did you use a map to find the most interesting spots in this huge area or did you just try your luck and wandered around hoping for the best?

P.S. If you used a map: do you remember which one? (Yes, I'm looking for such a map).

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 17:28

We just wandered around hoping for the best.

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 17:36

We bought the map that they had for sale at the entrance........

famagusta99


Joined: 23/11/2010
Posts: 68

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 17:39

I was there on Monday (I can hardly believe it was less than a week ago!), I went there with the Dreghorn book(let) ("Famagusta and Salamis"). I used the map there, and it worked fine, except that I got lost when I tried to find the old harbor. (There are a few (new?) paths inside the area which are not in Dreghorn).

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 18:04

I'm sorry to say it, but Mr. Dreghorn's sketch map in his booklet (1985) is neither accurate nor complete (anymore). Here's my map with the current situation - please have a look and tell me if you find any mistakes:

▶ [ http://is.gd/ifesb ]. Thanks!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 18:17

RE msg 3, shrimp: (...) We bought the map that they had for sale at the entrance........ (...)

▶ Is that a map on the leaflet "Salamis ruins" issued by the "Tourist Office Famagusta"? If not, what is the title of the map you bought?

famagusta99


Joined: 23/11/2010
Posts: 68

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 18:23

well; I can see where I went wrong; took the path to the right too early..those paths were not in Dreghorn, as I recall.



Your map is much better; just a couple of things; could you place an arrow to where the Apollo-mosaics are in the Gymnasium? They are rather difficult to find, unless you know where to look.



Also; (a minor issue): there is a short-cut over the large reservoir to the agora.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 18:30

Re : Msg1,



DC,



I have used both the map in the leaflet you buy at the entrance to Salamis and the map from the Landmark Visitors Guide-North Cyprus.

Never get lost, found all the landmarks.





http://postimage.org/image/ruytz5vo/





Clarissa

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 18:31

RE msg 7, famagusta99: (...) there is a short-cut over the large reservoir to the agora. (...)

▶ Thanks for helping! You are right, the shortcut is from the southwest corner of the reservoir to the Agorá, isn't it?

▶ I'll put the mosaics on the map also. Anything else?

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 18:32

sorry Hans cant remember what the map was called, it wasnt the one that came with the leaflet.....we left it for other visitors at the hotel as they were going the next day.....

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 18:33

Thanks (again!), clarissa2!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 18:48

Map is taken off line for updating.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 19:00

Re : Msg 9,



"▶ I'll put the mosaics on the map also. Anything else?"

Please:



1.Oil mill is not on the map and is very difficult to find

2.And the famous mosaic flooring which is in the group of buildings with an atrium at the Eastern end of the Kampanopetra Basilica. Took me ages to find!

ronaldo


Joined: 14/11/2007
Posts: 372

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 19:03

Dutch

The link you provide is imcomplete . Pleas could post anotjer one as i am going to salamis in Jan.

Regards Ronaldo

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 19:18

Ronaldo, please read msg 12.

famagusta99


Joined: 23/11/2010
Posts: 68

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 19:55

msg #9 ▶ Thanks for helping! You are right, the shortcut is from the southwest corner of the reservoir to the Agorá, isn't it?



Yes; basically you just walk to the west of the reservoir (=nice place to take pictures of the whole reservoir!) ..and then continue straight down to the agora.



msg #13. "2.And the famous mosaic flooring which is in the group of buildings with an atrium at the Eastern end of the Kampanopetra Basilica. Took me ages to find!"



I never saw those! :(

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 20:14

Re : Msg 16,



"I never saw those! :( "



famagusta99,



Here is a photo for you.





http://postimage.org/image/2oye4cwx0/

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 20:16

RE msg 16, famagusta99: (...) I never saw those! :( (...)

▶ But they ARE there! Especially for you (because I believe you're back in Norway) I uploaded three of the most famous mosaics. On top and in the middle "Apollo and Artemis kill Niobé's children". Below: a mosaic from the Gymnasium.

The pictures have a quality of 80 percent of the originals, but still it's a large file - be patient after clicking this URL:

▶ [ http://is.gd/ifAVN ].

famagusta99


Joined: 23/11/2010
Posts: 68

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 23:31

Re msg#17: thanks for the pictures of the mosaic floors! I did not see those, but they remind me of some I saw earlier this year at a Byzantine church up in Karpas.



I did finally find the "Apollo and Artemis kill Niobé's children"-mosaic, but not the bottom one, from the Gymnasium; thanks



I found your clickable map of Famagusta very useful; perhaps you could do a similar thing for Salamis, eventually?



And yes; I am now back to where children are skating on the ice on a pond just by my house, while I am planning to travel down to the sharks(!), ie. the Red Sea

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 23:37

I was staying at Salamis in 2000 and visited the ruins several times. There was no entrance fee or

maps then, but it was an amazing place, the mosaics so clear after so many years. It would have been

a marvellous town. Swam there most days and along at the sunken harbour - absolutely thrilling.

carollynne


Joined: 19/11/2009
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
05/12/2010 23:51

We just followed the maps on the signposts that are dotted around the site. Fantastic place

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 08:58

I'll go to Salamis again this week and check the map I've made, make more pictures to complete the photobooks of every interesting spot, upload them and make the map clickable with hot spots.

P.S. This is a very interesting Salamis site: ▶ http://www.whatson-northcyprus.com/interest/famagusta/salamis/salamis_index.htm

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 09:07

I think it is quite criminal that you are allowed to touch and walk over these historical articles< mosaics frescos etc. if htat was anywhere else it would be cared for a lot better it seems such a shame - great place to visit though

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 10:09

RE msg 23, sienna: (...) I think it is quite criminal that you are allowed to touch and walk over these historical articles< mosaics frescos etc. (...)

▶ I distance myself from the word "criminal", because it doesn't help the case when foreigners insult or anger the TRNC authorities. In the past 35 years the TRNC Government and people had some other worries also and there IS improvement. The best we, foreigners, can do is offer suggestions for more improvements again and again. But as long as we (foreigners, EU, USA etc) don't help with enough money it remains difficult to see quick changes on historical sites.



P.S. "touch and walk": it may be 'allowed' or not cared for enough by the authorities - you may agree that people with historical understanding just don't do that. On the other hand I know that to many visitors have no understanding at all - let alone the vandals who think they must carve their names in priceless marble... What to do?! Difficult problem!

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 17:33

Its a figure of speech the English use, not necessarily a good one Hans - but I get your point I didn't mean to insult or anger I just find it - because of those that have know care- sad that it is not protect from them - does that sound better ?

S

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 17:48

RE msg 25, sienna: I'm sure that basically we fully agree.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 18:32

Re: Msg 26,



Dear Hans,



As you mentioned that you are going to go to Salamis again, could you please mark on your map :



Oil mill;

Mosaic flooring (mentioned in Msgs 13, 17);

Fish market and

Ancient harbour.



Well, it's your own fault - you did ask "what else".



Thank you for the map ( which is going to be perfect !).



Kind regards,



Clarissa ( a perfectionist writing to a pedant)

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 18:43

RE msg 27, clarissa2: It will be done. Pedantic now ( ): "ancient harbour"? Is there a modern harbour in Salamis also? By the way: there once was another harbour from times before the "ancient harbour" (more Northerly), but it has completely vanished and unfortunately the location cannot be identified anymore.



All: are there more suggestions to put on the "Map of Salamis" (which is now 1000 pixels wide * 800 pixels high, 300 dpi, which makes a perfect print on A3 or A4 paper)?



P.S. I'll make a separate map of the highly interesting surroundings of Salamis.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 19:45

Clarissa, I've mailed you a new version of the map (Version 1.0, Draft Nr. 2). Please have a look and let me know any remarks!

Thanks for being my controller... (every cartographer needs one!).

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
06/12/2010 23:33

Re : Msg 29,

Dear DC,

I've sent your an email.



Re : Msg 28,

"I'll make a separate map of the highly interesting surroundings of Salamis."



I'm looking forward to it as there are no decent maps of the sites around Salamis.





Last time I visited, the site of the necropolis with the Royal Tombs was padlocked and no one in attendance. And Enkomi is sadly so overgrown that it is impossible to find anything- with a map or without it.

I very much enjoyed the visit to St.Barnabas and its surrounds.

Calvinhobbes


Joined: 25/04/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
07/12/2010 00:06

Hi folks. I went to Salamis a number of years ago and was defeated by the heat and lack of proper map, so this is very good. When I return I will look at this thread again.



My disappointment with Salamis literature was the lack of reference to the visit by Apostle Paul who went from Salamis right down to Paphos.



I agree with the comments made - it really is a great site. All the comments have been most helpful

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
07/12/2010 09:13

RE msg 31, Calvinhobbes: (...) My disappointment with Salamis literature was the lack of reference to the visit by Apostle Paul who went from Salamis right down to Paphos. (...)

▶ There are several books and well documented booklets (in my library and archive) about Paul, Barnabas and Mark, who arrived in Cyprus from Antioch (near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey). If you are interested in their adventures and Christianity in Cyprus you could start with: "Cyprus, A handbook for Christian visitors", ISBN 0 9536495 7 1.

If you'd like to know more interesting book titles, mail me and I'll make a short list for you: < mcf.trnc@gmail.com >

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
07/12/2010 10:26

There are people who like to snorkle and/or dive (I don't...), so I have to ask them: did you ever snorkle/dive in the sea in front of Salamis? If so, did you find there the remains of a jetty (from the harbour built there before the current 'ancient harbour' in the Southern part of Salamis)? If so, do you know or happen to remember the location (long shot: coordinates?). Any help will be much appreciated!

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
07/12/2010 10:42

Re Message 31. To put a bit of meat on the bones:-

In AD 46 Paul and Barnabas, a native of Salamis, (the major trading port) travelled to Paphos (the capital city) where they revealed the gospel to the Roman governor Sergius Paulus. He was converted, and thus became the world's first Christian ruler. Barnabas later preached in Salamis where he was eventually martyred by the Jews.

The mission of Paul and Barnabas was to have far reaching implications, enabling the church in later years to demonstrate its apostolic origin and justifying its claim to be independent of the patriarch of Antioch.

After their revolt was crushed in Jerusalem in AD 70 by the Romans, many Jews settled in Cyprus, particularly in Salamis. Here in AD 115, they rebelled again, and the ensuing carnage over the next two years prompted the decree from Rome expelling all Jews from the island.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
07/12/2010 18:33

Sorry for the double post nr 35 - this board does not always do what is expected.

Calvinhobbes


Joined: 25/04/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
12/12/2010 15:04

Thanks for that and sorry for not replying sooner. I will drop a line before I head out next time...although that may be some time.

regards