Overview
Walk along the path of prehistory in Cyprus’ neolithic settlement in Choirokoitia, a village in the Larnaca district.
The site starts at the bottom of a hill in the village, a mere 6 km away from the coast. At the entrance to this UNESCO World Heritage site, you will find a number of remodelled Neolithic homes, which depict the way our ancestors lived off the land in this fortified little village.
As you climb up the hill, you will see the size of the settlement with its circular structures. Inside the homes, you will find small windows that help flood the thick stone structures with sunlight, and even holes in the floors that were used as burial places.
The site was initially discovered in 1934 by the then-director of the Department of Antiquities, Porphyrios Dikaios. Six excavations took place between 1934 and 1946.
Excavations were halted during the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974 and not resumed until 1977 when a French mission directed by Alain Le Brun took over work on the site.
Today the site offers a glimpse into the lives of our ancient ancestors, with large stone structures and thick walls extending up to the hillside.
Information boards around the site describe the hunter-gatherer society that flourished along the green hillside, with depictions of the tools used by the society, burial rituals, and even bone jewellery worn by the women.
The site is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox). The entrance free is €2.50 per person.
Note: Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
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