Just twenty kilometers south-west of Nicosia you can see the ruins of the ancient city-state Tamassos that was once quite important administrative unit in Cyprus.

Scientists have not yet managed to learn anything specific about the history of Tamassos. On it, however, according to Homer's "Odyssey", which is the oldest mention of this city. In addition, about Tamassos information can also be found in the annals of the Assyrian king Assarhadona.

The very first settlement at this place appeared in the Chalcolithic era, as evidenced by the excavated graves and a variety of subjects. It is believed that it was originally a small village of farmers, which after some time become a major city thanks to the discovery of copper mines there. Copper subsequently became the main wealth Tamassos, trade which is the basis of its economy. And to the X century, after the exhaustion of the mines, the city gradually fell into disrepair.

Full-scale excavations on the site that once housed the village, were not carried out, as today there are villages politicians, Episkopi and Pera. However, even thanks to the few studies that have been able to hold, have been found valuable artifacts, allowing learn more about the history of Tamassos. Thus, for example, it was discovered royal tombs, fortifications, works of art, installations and tools for processing of copper and more. But the most significant finds were temples dedicated to Cybele (the mother of the gods) and Aphrodite. Not far from the latter it was located and the necropolis Tamassos.

Each year, created at the end of the last century Cultural Association Tamassos organized for locals and tourists wonderful festival "Tamassiya", whose main purpose is to draw attention to the cultural heritage of this region.