Salamis, Cyprus

The gymnasium, Salamis

A fragment of 3rd century fresco at the Salamis gymnasium

Salamis is an ancient city on the east coast of Cyprus, part of the Roman province of Cilicia and largely destroyed in the 7th century A.D. by Arab invaders. In 450 BC it was the site of a simultaneous land battle and sea battle against Athens (see Battle of Salamis).

There are very extensive ruins which could do with more attention from archaeologists. There is an amphitheatre, a gymnasium, baths, public latrines (for 44 users), various little bits of mosaic and much more including a number of statues most of which are headless, destroyed by religious beliefs. It is the sort of place you can visit again and again and see something different every time, and there is a vast amount waiting to be excavated.