Three arsenals in Cyprus in three different moments of history – ancient, medieval and modern Cyprus

Abstract

“The distance between Cyprus and the maritime cities of Egypt, Syria, Armenia, Turkey and Greece does not exceed one day of navigation . . .” The excerpt comes from German pilgrim Ludolf Von Suchen in the middle of the 14th century. It underlines the importance of the island in the naval history of the Eastern Mediterranean, being at the cross roads of the sea routes between Western Europe and the Black Sea, between Armenia and the Syro-palestinian coast and Egypt. The wind and current pattern in this basin, along with the human achievements in the field of navigation brought maritime Cyprus and its harbours to the limelight of the Eastern Mediterranean.