Petra Tou Limnidi

From the Palace of Vouni in Lefke, you can see this small yet immense island.

The Petra tou Limnidi, a small rock just across the water, is the site of the first settlement in Cyprus.

This is one of the oldest places in Cyprus to be inhabited, and was excavated at the same time as Vouni, with artifacts found from the pre-pottery Neolithic Period.

When the Swedish Cyprus Expedition excavated Vouni, the members took a swimming tour to this small rocky island and excavated the site for 2 weeks in 1929.

At the top of the island which is only accessible from the east, remains were found of two rather primitive huts from the Neolithic period, one clearly divided into a living room and a kitchen with a hearth placed against the wall.

Archaeologists revealed objects of flint, bone and stones including needles, utensils, farming tools as well as sculptures.

Petra tou Limnidi is believed to have been an island even in those times, though the sea level was probably much lower than it is now, since no Neolithic remains have been found on the adjacent headland.

It probably served as a very exposed temporary camp for fishermen from time to time, as the occupation levels imply, lying piled one above the other.

A terrain elevation above sea level of 120 metres (class T – Hypsographic), this islet is today an important nesting place for the yellow-legged Gull and also used by the European Shag.

If you are visiting Lefke, the Palace of Vouni will be at the top of your list, and you will have an opportunity to stare and just imagine the thousands of years of mankind this island has carried to this day. For the more curious traveller, journey to the shoreline for a close up.