How Israel Discovered Cyprus: The Holiday Boom That Began 66 Years Ago Today
It was February 1960, and Cyprus was bracing for a tourism surge that would change the island’s fortunes — and its friendships — for decades to come. Just a year…
On This Day in 1960… Cyprus Froze: The Night the Island Turned to Ice
Cyprus shivered through one of its coldest nights on record on this very day in 1960, when temperatures in Nicosia and Famagusta plunged below 0°C for the second night running…
The Kanakaria Affair: A Byzantine Heist Unmasked
It was a crime that could have sprung from the pages of a Chandler novel — shadowy dealers, priceless relics, and a trail that led from the war-torn ruins of…
The Venetian Bastion: Cyprus and the Last Stand of the West
From 1489 to 1571, the Republic of Venice held Cyprus in its iron grip — not as a benevolent steward, but as a calculating merchant empire. The Greek population, long…
The Lusignan Dominion over Cyprus: A Chronicle of Power and Decline
It was in the twilight of the 12th century that Guy de Lusignan, a dispossessed crusader and French-speaking noble, seized the island of Cyprus — a strategic gem abandoned by…
Famagusta Gazette Bygones: 27 July
1875 – California: Infamous outlaw Black Bart, known for leaving poetic verses at the scenes of his robberies, escaped authorities after stealing a Wells Fargo safe. The safe was later…
1937: Mules from Cyprus sent to Palestine to help British troops
1937: In the Nablus mountains, traditional home of Palestine’s bandits, the British forces are slowly advancing against the bandit army, numbering about 500. It is hoped that with the eradication…
The Evolution of Cyprus Postage Stamps
The history of Cyprus’ postage stamps offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s storied past. From Venetian and Ottoman rule to British administration and eventual independence, each era has left…
Jenny Agutter’s nostalgic reflections on her Cyprus childhood
Three years ago, renowned British actress Jenny Agutter opened up to a British newspaper about her unforgettable childhood in Cyprus, revealing a unique blend of idyllic moments and historical drama.…
1960: Do-it-yourself phones upset Cyta, Cyprus telecom
1960: WELL, it happened… somebody thought of the bright, but illegal idea of Installing his own telephone without going through the channels of CyTA, the Island’s telecommunications authority. It worked…