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Article: Latchi, Polis Area |
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Latchi,
Polis Area
Polis is served by the picturesque fishing port of Latchi with its coastal paved walk -a pole of attraction all the year round and reputed throughout Cyprus for its fresh fish, -a must for all visitors.
Latchi a picturesque fishing village situated on the North West Coast. Before tourism had discovered Latchi its main industry apart from fishing was the exportation of sea sponges.
The main focal point of Latchi is the fishing harbour sporting fishing boats bobbing gently on the clear waters weighed down with nets, wicker baskets and the catch of the day.
Fresh fish can be sampled in one of the many small stone build tavernas surrounding the harbour, a popular eating place for the locals
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Latchi harbour, most probably, one of the oldest harbours of the Mediterranean region. It is not exactly known, when the first port was built.
Most probably it dates from before 600 B.C., because it belonged to the ancient kingdom of Marion - the first known settlement of what we now know as Polis Chrysochous.
Marion was at the time, at the height of its power mainly because of its strategic location, being the nearest harbour to the island of Rhodes. The harbour was built by Aegean Greeks to transport copper and perhaps even gold and timber from Cyprus to the Aegean Islands and mainland Greece.
The Greeks in their turn exported their famous pottery to Marion of which many remains can be seen in the Archaeological Museum in Polis. With the construction of the larger harbour at (Nea) Paphos during the Hellenistic period (4th century B.C.) the importance of Marion as the primary harbour on the Rhodes-Cyprus sea route was dramatically lessened. In 312 B.C., Marion was completely destroyed by Ptolemaeus 1 Soter, king of Egypt. The city was rebuilt by Ptolemaeus' son who renamed it Arsinoe, after his wife.
Both the city and the harbour experienced a new era of wealth but never regained the importance it once had.
In days gone by Latchi served as a small port for shipping carobs and there were several carob warehouses in the area. One of the oldest warehouses was turned into a fantastic fish restaurant several years ago and you could still smell the chocolatey aroma of the beans. However a lot of that wonderful smell has now vanished since the warehouse suffered a devastating fire. Now rebuilt, the restaurant is better than ever.
 
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Scuba-diving is particularly popular in the area, with several schools teaching the art to beginners around the rocky Akamas coast-line.There are sea-sport facilities and boat- rides up to the Akamas Peninsula Nature Reserve.
Explore the baths of Aphrodite where legend has it that Aphrodite bathed with her lover Adonis. They say if you bath in the waters at the baths of Aphrodite you will be blessed with the secret to eternal youth and beauty! (You may also be arrested ...but it might be a price worth paying). Enjoy the unspoiled scenery of the peninsula and the Akamas National Park. A walk along its nature trails accompanied by the panoramic view of the bay of Polis is a unique experience.
With its sandy bays, wildlife and geology, this area is ideal for ramblers, water-sport enthusiasts, or those wishing to relax in a totally tranquil environment. Latchi has a long sand/shingle main beach with other sandy beaches nearby.
The course and or shingle beaches in Latchi are excellent and have been awarded the European Blue Flag. But if the beach seems too lazy for you,
why not choose from a range of water sports on offer including scuba-diving and water-skiing? Or how about a boat trip up to the tip of the Akamas
with a barbecue lunch on the way? If you’re a bit more adventurous you can hire your own boat and stop wherever you like, whenever you like.
Don’t forget to bring your driving licence if you plan on being the captain of your own boat for the day
In the last couple of years Latchi has undergone some major redevelopment work. As a popular route for cyclists, one of the most recent additions
to Latchi has been a cycle lane. This lane is invaluable to cyclists and pedestrians alike for avoiding Cypriot drivers.
To view property in Latchi click here
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