europa stamps: Cyprus

Showing posts with label Cyprus. Show all posts

Friday, May 2

Cyprus 2025

Cyprus

Date of Issue: 9th May 2025

two stamps se-tenant (2x 0.64 €)

both stamps are issued in a mini sheet of 8 stamps (4 of each)

both stamps are also issued in one booklet of 8 stamps (4 of each) - stamps from the booklet aren't perforated on one side

Mosaic Floor Depicting a Hippodrome Scene

The mosaic floor depicting a hippodrome scene was discovered during excavations conducted by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus near the community of Akaki, Nicosia District. It is part of the floor decoration of a rural villa dating to the 4^th century AD, which was excavated between 2023 and 2024.

The mosaic floor, measuring twenty-six meters in length, illustrates a chariot race unfolding within a hippodrome, which is rendered with great detail. The euripus or spina is clearly depicted, featuring various shrines, columns, obelisks, and sculptures that were used for timekeeping and lap counting during the race.

Four tethrippon (four-horse chariots) participate in the race, shown in four different phases of the competition. Each chariot is accompanied by two names written in Greek: the name of the charioteer and the name of one of the horses, allowing to follow the progression of the race.

The newly discovered mosaic from Akaki is unique in Cyprus and stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship but also because it provides a rare iconographic representation of chariot race during the Roman period.

Friday, May 3

Cyprus 2024

Cyprus

Date of Issue: 2nd May 2024

two stamps (0.34 & 0.64 €)

both stamps are also issued in mini sheets of 8 stamps

both stamps are also issued in one booklet of 8 stamps (4 of each) - stamps from the booklet aren't perforated on one side

Tuesday, May 9

Cyprus 2023

Cyprus

Date of Issue: 9th May 2023

two stamps (0.34 & 0.64 €)

both stamps are also issued in mini sheets of 8 stamps

both stamps are also issued in one booklet of 8 stamps (4 of each) - stamps from the booklet aren't perforated on one side

Wednesday, April 27

Cyprus 2022

Cyprus

Date of Issue: 6th May 2022

two stamps (0.34 & 0.64 €)

both stamps are also issued in mini sheets of 8 stamps

both stamps are also issued in one booklet of 8 stamps (4 of each) - stamps from the booklet aren't perforated on one side

The Secret Treasure of Regina - Regina, namely the Queen, is a mysterious person mentioned in several myths and legends of Cyprus.

Some of these legends are connected to the castle of Vufavendo, in which, according to tradition, Regina hid her treasures in one of its 101 rooms.

One of the legends states that every night on which the Resurrection of Christ was celebrated, a secret door would open for a short period of time through which someone could gain access to Regina's room containing the treasures.

On one night of the Resurrection of Christ, a shepherd entered the room, but the door closed before he could collect the treasures.

The shepherd had a pomegranate with him and by eating a piece every day he was kept alive until the following year when on the night of the Resurrection the secret door opened and he gained his freedom.

The legend of Digenis Akritas - Digenis Akritas was the most courageous of all the Akrites, who guarded the borders of Byzantium. They caused fear and terror to the Saracens who came from the mountains of Central Asia.

The giant stone that dominates the sea and is called "Petra tou Romiou", is associated with the legend of Digenes Akritas, from whom the area took its name.
According to legend, Digenis Akritas, the legendary Byzantine hero, during the 7th - 10th century, in order to repel the Saracen Arabs, who were preparing to plunder the area, grabbed onto the mountain range of Kyrenia by his one hand as a result of which it took the shape and the name Pentadaktylos (meaning five fingers) and with his other hand lifted a huge rock (the Stone of Romios – Petra tou Romiou) and threw it into the sea against the Saracens who left fleeing.