Acquaint yourself with the history of Protaras and Paralimni which, along with Ayia Napa, populate this spot of land at the extreme south-east fringes of Cyprus and Europe. All available sources suggest that the town or settlement of Leucolla, with its harbour, was situated somewhere along the coastline from Arsinoe (one of the ancient predecessors of today’s Famagusta) to Cape Pedalion (today’s Cape Greco). The exact position has not been determined, however Paralimnites are adamant that Leucolla was situated in the wider area of today’s Protaras.
Unfortunately, no structures of this Hellenistic settlement remain and we only have fragments of its presence, much of it has been looted by smugglers and tomb raiders during Medieval and Ottoman times. Many of those fragments are found scattered in various museums in Europe and America.
According to the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) of William Smith, LLD, Ed. (Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University): “LEUCOLLA (Λεύκολλα, Strab. xiv. p.682), a harbour of Cyprus, N. of Cape Pedalium. It is referred to in Athenaeus (v. p. 209, where instead of Κώας, Κύπρος should be read), and is identified with Porta Armidio e Lucola, S. of Famagusta. (Engel, Kypros, vol. i. p. 97.)”
At Leucolla Hill & Sea we cherish our local and national heritage. This section of our website is a repository of all sources and information regarding Leucolla and it is our small tribute to promoting this collective heritage and sharing it with our guests and the world.
The section will be updated whenever new information becomes available.
LGK
last update: 21/07/2020