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Last modified: 2017-10-01 by ivan sache
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Flag of Lapta - Image by Ivan Sache, 13 August 2017
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The municipality of Lapta (Greek, Λάπηθος; 7,839 inhabitants in 2011; website) is located on the northern coast of Cyprus.
The municipality of Lapithos was established in 1878. Following the proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the exile of the Greek population, the new municipality of Lapta was formed in 1975, while the administration of the municipality of Lapithos in exile (website) was relocated to Strovolos.
The archaeologists refer to Lapithos as a colony of the Laconians, built after the Trojan War (circa 1000 BC) by Praxandros, its first king. However, findings from excavations, i.e. pots and pottery wheels, date back to as early as 3000 BC. Diodoros from Sicily refers to Lapithos as one of the nine Cypriot Kingdoms circa the fourth century BC. During the Lusignan period, Lapithos boasted a larger population than Lemesos (Limassol), Ammochostos (Famagusta) or Pafos. A few years before the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus (1571) 3000 troops were stationed at Lapithos under the command of Zanetto Dandolo, who fell during the defense of Nicosia.
Ivan Sache, 13 August 2017
The flag of Lapta (photo) is white with the municipality's emblem, featuring two lemons, in the center. "Belediyesi" means "Municipality".
Lapithos has fertile land and rich water resources due to its headspring. A variety of trees were cultivated. Citrus, especially lemon-trees, thrived and produced 11-12 million lemons per year. It was the largest production in the island. The lemon-tree grown in the Lapithos area is well known in Cyprus. The orchards of Lapithos filled the place with green. In springtime every span of the land smelled sweetly and the scent of lemon blossom was omnipresent.
[Lapithos website]
