One of the most interesting discoveries in the west part of Ayia Napa, is the Makronissos Tomb area. Between November 1989 and January 1990, the Municipality of Ayia Napa financed intensive excavations of stone carved toms which were the aim of illegal excavations from 1872.

So far, nineteen tombs have been excavated as well as a small altar to the east of the tombs and a part of an ancient quarry next to the cemetery. Recent studies show that some of the tombs were damaged due to the continuous operation of the quarry.

The tombs are made up by a road with steps which leads downwards to towards a rectangular entrance. The entrances originally closed with a large plate or two smaller plates. Most of the chambers are identical. In all of them there is a rectangular excavation in the middle, slightly lower than the level of the road and three benches towards the side of the chamber.

In some of the tombs there is an extra carved luculus on top of the long axis of the tomb, opposite the entrance while in another there are four benches towards the side and one opposite the entrance creating enough room for five tombs. Even though all of the tombs have been despoiled it is possible to extract some scientific conclusions.

The dead were placed in clay sarcophagus which were originally covered with three flat tiles. The tombs were used during the Hellenistic and the Roman period. The pyres which were found on the surface of the roads form proof of maintaining the Greek burial customs.

The alter is a simple squared room with irregular boulders. The few funeral gifts which were found during the excavations chronologically place the altar in the Cyproclassic and Hellenistic period.

 

Location :

Ammochostos

Address :

Makronissos , west of Ayia Napa

Telephone :

357 23 816 300

Fax :

357 23 722 607

Operation hours :

Every day from 09:00 - 17:00

Entrance fee:

Free

 

 

 

Makronissos Tombs photos: 
makronissos tomb
makronissos tomb
  • makronissos tomb
  • makronissos tombs
  • makronissos tombs ayia napa
  • makronissos tombs cyprus
  • tombs makronissos
Makronissos Tombs location map: 

Nearby Places and things to do (within 5 km radius)

Malindi Beach, Limassol

Malindi Beach is located between the Pareklissia beach  and the Grand Resort Beach, in the Limassol  district. Malindi beach is a ...

Pareklissia Beach

Pareklissia beach is characterised by its soft sand and clear blue waters. It is one of the few beaches which exist in Limassol which are co...

St Raphael Marina

The St Raphael Marina is located east of the town of Limassol, at a distance of 15 kilometres and is an official port entrance to Cyprus. ...

Plus beach

The Plus beach is located at the Uptown Square area in the Limassol district with the most cosmopolitan sandy beach in the area. Even tho...

Aorati Beach

Aoratoi beach is located in the area of Pyrgos in Limassol where there are charming places to stay. It is a sandy beach with sunbeds and ...

Hadjiantonas Winery - Parekklisia

Hadjiantonas Winery is located in the village of Parekklisia in the Limassol district. Parekklisia is considered to be a must visit ...

Pages