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Cyprus, Larnaca

The ancient aqueducts of Larnaka

The aqueducts and the water wisdom of the ancient town of Larnaca

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Cyprus throughout its history has been known for its frequent and long droughts and low rainfall levels that cause severe water scarcity – a main feature of the island.

This particular case study examines the water management systems developed in antiquity in the city of Larnaca on the south coast of Cyprus. The area has been inhabited since the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. The site of the city was selected due to its excellent natural port facilities and because of its proximity to the great civilizations of the Bronze Age. It was certainly not chosen on the premise of availability of water, however important a factor this was for the establishment of early settlements.    

So, although Larnaca soon became the island’s major port facilitating all export and import trade of Cyprus, its inhabitants, have always had to deal with water scarcity. Since antiquity and up until today they have constantly needed to find ways to secure water for their ever growing needs. 

The city has survived on exactly the same dry site without any interruption for 4000 years. This record is partly due to the excellent water wisdom its local authorities were compelled to develop through the ages.

The 1st and most grandiose series of arches of the old aqueduct of Larnaca (out of the 3 series in total).

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The 3rd and lower series of arches of the old aqueduct of Larnaca.

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  • Logo for the Mediterranean Information Office
  • Logo for the Mediterranean Education Initiative on Environment and Sustainability
  • Logo for the LIFE Programme, the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action
  • Logo for the Global Water Partnership (GWP), a global action network towards a water secure world
  • Logo for UNESCO who’s mission is to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development.
  • Logo for the The Anna Lindh Foundation is an international organisation working from the Mediterranean to promote intercultural and civil society dialogue.
  • Logo for the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute
  • Logo for the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports
  • Logo for the Education Office for the environment and sustainable development

The updating of the Hydria Virtual Museum has been made possible with the support of the EU LIFE Programme (Operating Grant of MIO-ECSDE for 2021). The content only reflects the authors’ views. The Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained.

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