Choirokoitia: A Journey into Neolithic Cyprus

Choirokoitia, also known as Khirokitia, is an ancient town in Cyprus dating back to the Neolithic period. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the island's earliest inhabitants, who settled here around 7000 BC. The village was occupied until around 6000 BC and represents the Aceramic Neolithic period of Cyprus at its peak. Located in the Larnaca region, about 6km from the southern coast of Cyprus, Choirokoitia lies on the slopes of a hill partly enclosed in a loop of the Maroni River. The location was strategically chosen, as it remains positioned along the main highway connecting Limassol to Nicosia and Larnaca. Visitors can explore the remains of the settlement, including the foundations of circular houses built from mudbrick and stone. These dwellings, some up to 9 meters in diameter, demonstrate the advanced building skills and collective social effort of the community. Archaeologists have also uncovered the remains of massive walls that surrounded the city, providing protection from attacks. Near the entrance of the site, five characteristic cylindrical-shaped dwellings have been reconstructed using the same materials and construction methods as used during Neolithic times. Visitors can go inside and see replicas of household objects found inside the original dwellings, which provides a very visceral and detailed idea of how the settlement would have appeared. Choirokoitia is not a huge area so it doesn't take too long to explore. If you follow the main circular trail, it's about two kilometers in length. The site is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).