Ayia Napa is famous the world over for its white-sand beaches and energetic nightlife, and anyone looking for a good time with no stress could do a lot worse than this coastal town.
Typically considered as the party capital of Cyprus, Ayia Napa regularly attracts fun-loving people eager to blow off some steam and enjoy everything the resort has to offer, especially in the summer months when it is peak season.
But aside from all the beaches and nightclubs, Ayia Napa in fact has a rich and interesting history, from its origins as a humble fishing village to the majestic holiday destination that we see today.
Once known as Agia Napa, the town is first mentioned in documents dating from around the 14th Century. Five ships containing stolen Cypriot goods were shipwrecked just off the coast of the region, and accounts of the incident talked about a wooded, green area that was popular with hunters.
In fact, the name ‘Ayia Napa’ comes from the Greek word ‘nape’ meaning ‘wooded valley’, indicating that the place once looked a lot different to the golden, sun-drenched shores that we see at present.
In the early 16th Century, the Ayia Napa monastery was built into a cave along the coastline, commemorating the place where a statue of the Virgin Mary was found by a local hunter. The figure had been hidden and forgotten over the years; but when it was found again, pilgrims began to flock to the area to witness the miraculous statue.
Eventually, a monastery was built around the cave; these buildings still survive today and are well worth a visit. Although the monastery has been regularly visited after construction was done, Ayia Napa didn’t get its first residents until the late 18th Century. A group of people fleeing an outbreak of the plague in nearby Thessalonica settled in the town, and soon, several rows of houses were built.
As the population increased, several trades began to flourish as the people sought to establish an economy and means to survive. Because of the town’s beachside location, fishing became one of the primary trades and soon Ayia Napa had a successful seafood and fishing business. The Thalassa Museum in the centre of the town examines this heritage much more closely.
The boom in foreign holidays in the 60s and 70s saw a significant change in Ayia Napa’s character, and soon, the clean beaches and weather were attracting visitors around the world. Nightclubs began to dot all over the town, and it became renowned for its party atmosphere and unmatched entertainment.
Today, Ayia Napa Holidays are perfect for those longing for great nightlife, cool clubs and plenty of beaches. Especially popular with those who like the UK garage and urban scene, the town has often been compared to Ibiza; what’s more, the abundance of cheap hotels means that the resort is great for those who want to holiday on a budget, making it popular with a younger crowd of vacationers.
Ayia Napa is no doubt one of the best places for people looking for fun and plenty of sun this summer but it’s worth remembering that besides sunbathing, partying and shopping, the town has a interesting history with plenty of sites to explore should the mood take you.
The monastery and museum are both perfect places to visit when all that relaxing becomes too much, and the nearby sea caves are great for those who like the active and adventurous life. The resort may have come a long way, but remnants of the old town are still there to be found.
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