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Tamassos was one of the earliest cities on the island (6th century BC) and grew wealthy from its copper mines, which were famed throughout the ancient world.

Richard the Lionheart of England seized Cyprus from the Byzantines in 1191 and sold it to the Knights Templar, who in turn sold it to Guy de Lusignan, exiled King of Jerusalem. The Roman Catholic Church supplanted the Greek Orthodox faith.

The Turks restored the Orthodox faith whilst encouraging conversion to Islam. Cyprus was seen as a backwater until 1878, when Britain took over in return for supporting Turkey against Russia. In 1914 Britain formally annexed Cyprus.

Venice acquired Cyprus in 1489 from the widow of the last Lusignan king, and fortified Nicosia and Famagusta against the Ottomans, but in 1571 the island finally fell to the Turks.

Cyprus’s last real stretch of mountain and forest wilderness is a vast tract of pine-covered hillsides that slope down from the western flank of the Troodos range towards the beaches of the west coast. The region is criss-crossed with numerous nature trails and is one of the very few areas where attentive walkers might be lucky enough to catch a fleeting glimpse of one of the thousand or so moufflon (wild sheep) still surviving in their natural habitat. Tillyria is also a haven for a variety of birds, and in spring and autumn its woodland glades are vivid with crocus, anemones and other wildflowers.

Travel back through Cyprus’s richly coloured history at this world-class, purpose-built visitor attraction in the heart of old Limassol. The Time Elevator uses state-of-the-art audio-visual technology to take its passengers into the island’s past, from its earliest settlements and its various invading empires up to the present day. It’s particularly popular with children (see Time Elevator, Limassol). Housed in an elegantly adapted and restored carob mill – a remnant of Limassol’s industrial heritage – the Lanitis Complex also features old milling machinery, a souvenir shop and a new arts venue.

Every Cypriot town has been reincarnated over almost 3,000 years, with new conquerors rebuilding on old foundations. Look for ancient marble and granite column drums and carved capitals built into the walls of medieval castles or supporting the domes of mosques.

Hidden in the high valleys of the remote Troodos, these modest little churches and monastery chapels conceal a treasury of some of the most glorious early Christian works of art in the world. Miraculously, their glowing frescoes have survived the rise and fall of half a dozen empires. Some are more than 1,000 years old and in their way they inspire as much awe as any great cathedral (see Troodos Painted Churches).

The flumes and lagoons of Waterworld are an Agia Napa landmark, 2 km (1 mile) west of the town centre. There’s plenty of family fun here, with gentle rides and shallow pools for younger kids and roller-coasters and slides for teenagers.