Kimon's Promenade in Larnaca is a very popular holiday destination for locals and tourists alike and can rival the beauty of the promenades in Nice and Cannes.
This seaside boulevard was named in honour of the famous General Kimon who arrived in Larnaca, then called Kition, from Athens in the middle of the 5th century BC to liberate the city from the Persians. His army managed to defeat the enemy, but the general himself died heroically in battle. He was buried with great honours, and the inhabitants of the city still remember and honour their liberator.
In the 1920s, a marble bust of this legendary commander was erected on the seafront, on which are written his words, which he said, as it is believed, just before his death: "And even in death I will be a winner".
However, the locals more commonly refer to this street as the "palm promenade", as it is completely lined with luxurious palm trees, which provide shelter from the scorching sun even in the heat of the day.
The promenade and the square where the monument to General Kimon is erected are a gathering place for the city's residents during major holidays and festivals, and a large stage set up nearby often hosts a variety of concerts. One of the Cypriots' favourite festivals, which is traditionally held on the seafront, is the Pantekost-Katakleismos Fair.
In addition, the seafront is also home to a monument to another famous Larnaca native, the philosopher Zeno, and is lined with a number of cosy cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy yourself.
