During the Crusades, Richard the Lion-Heart, leader of the Third Crusade, landed in Limassol (Lemesos), not incidentally to free a noblewoman held captive by the Byzantine sovereign. The noblewoman? was his betrothed, Berengaria of Navarre. They married in Limassol, touching off the most extravagant party the island had ever seen.
Today, the tradition of celebration and hospitality continues in this vibrant city, as festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Limassol, including wine celebration parades, carnivals, religious processions and sporting events. Every night people in restaurants, cafés, and nightclubs celebrate events momentous and trivial, from a soccer win to a sudden romance or yet another stunning sunset at the day’s end.
Limassol is also a bustling metropolis as it accommodates the island’s main shipping port along with international banking institutions and global corporations.
Located in the centre of the old town is the Cyprus Medieval Museum , or the Folk Art Museum , which is housed in an old mansion.
Stroll along the boardwalk and sea promenade or visit the lush Municipal Gardens . Travelling east along the coastal road you will find Amathus, one of the ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus . See the ruins and take a dip near the site of an ancient port.
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