Ancient Town Chirokitia

The settlement of Chirokitia was inhabited from the 7th to the 4th millennium BC and is considered one of the most important prehistoric sites in the Eastern Mediterranean. Archaeological excavations, which began in 1934 under the direction of Porfyrios Dikeos and were later continued by a French expedition led by Alain Le Brun, have uncovered the remains of this ancient city. It is estimated that between 300 and 1000 people once lived here. The inhabitants practiced animal husbandry and agriculture, with wheat and barley among the cultivated crops. Although more recent discoveries like Shillourokambos and Tenta have provided evidence of older settlements in Cyprus, Chirokitia remains an outstanding testimony to early human habitation.

The ancient city of Chirokitia is located in the Republic of Cyprus, in the Larnaca district, near the village of Choirokoitia. The site is situated at an elevation of approximately 197 meters above sea level.

Visitors can explore the ancient city today. The outlines of the former enclosing wall and about 60 round houses are preserved, with graves found beneath their floors. Some of the houses have been reconstructed to provide a better impression of the original construction. Most archaeological finds from Chirokitia are exhibited in the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.

• Ancient City of Kalavasos-Tenta (Ancient Structures), approx. 6.1 km away
• Ancient City of Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios (Ancient Structures), approx. 6.3 km away
• Ancient City of Amathus (Αμαθούς) (Ancient Structures), approx. 20.6 km away
• Ancient City of Idalium (Ιδάλιον) (Ancient Structures), approx. 25.4 km away