Salamis: the Origin of the Name, Ancient Aqueduct, and a Walk Among the Ruins

Most tourists come to Salamis for the famous Roman theatre and the columns by the sea. However, the largest ancient city in Northern Cyprus is much more interesting than it seems at first glance. Here, the remains of an ancient aqueduct, temples, basilicas, water reservoirs, market squares, and streets where people walked almost two thousand years ago have been preserved. If you look at Salamis not as a collection of ruins, but as a real city, the history of this place unfolds in a completely different way.

• Where the name Salamis came from
• The ancient aqueduct of Salamis
• Roman theatre
• Gymnasium and colonnades
• A city, not just a theatre
• The baths and public life
• From a pagan city to a Christian centre
• A walk among trees and ruins
• How to tour Salamis
• What tourists often miss
• Frequently asked questions

Where the name Salamis came from

The exact origin of the name Salamis is still a matter of debate among historians. The best-known version is connected with the ancient Greek hero Teucer, a participant in the Trojan War and son of Telamon.

According to legend, after the war ended Teucer could not return home and went to Cyprus, where he founded a new city. In memory of his homeland, he named it Salamis, after the island of Salamis near Athens.

However, there is another version. Some researchers believe that the name may be significantly older than the Greek period and derive from a local Eastern Mediterranean toponym. There are assumptions about a connection between the name and the sea, salt, or a natural harbour, but historians have no consensus.

The ancient aqueduct of Salamis

One of the most underestimated features of Salamis is its water supply system. For an ancient city, water was a vital resource, without which it would have been impossible to keep baths, fountains, and public buildings functioning.

In Roman times, water reached the city through a complex system of pipelines and channels. Archaeologists have discovered fragments of ceramic pipes, drains, and reservoirs used for storing and distributing water.

Today these structures do not look as impressive as the theatre or the columns, yet they show the high level of development of Salamis. Without a developed water supply system, it is impossible to imagine the existence of a large city with thousands of inhabitants.
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Roman theatre

The theatre is considered the main symbol of Salamis. It is the one most often seen in photographs and postcards of Northern Cyprus.

After reconstruction in the Roman period, the theatre could accommodate around 15,000 spectators. Theatrical performances, public events, and city festivals were held here.

Today visitors can climb to the upper rows and see a panorama of the ancient city. From here, other parts of the archaeological complex and the Mediterranean coast are clearly visible.

The size of the theatre makes it possible to imagine the scale of Salamis during its heyday. Such structures were built only in large and wealthy cities.
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Gymnasium and colonnades

Next to the theatre is the gymnasium, one of the most impressive structures in the complex. In antiquity, it was the centre of the city’s public and sporting life.

Here, residents exercised, studied, met friends, and discussed the news. The gymnasium served sporting, educational, and social functions at the same time.

The colonnade is the best preserved and is now considered one of the most recognizable parts of Salamis. The rows of columns create the impression of a real ancient city and help imagine its original appearance.

A city, not just a theatre

Many tourists visit the theatre and the gymnasium and then consider their acquaintance with Salamis complete. In fact, this is only a small part of the ancient city.

On the territory of the archaeological complex, the remains of the forum and the agora have been preserved — the centre of public and commercial life. Trade was conducted here, meetings were held, and important decisions were made.

From the forum begins a colonnaded street, which once connected different parts of the city. It was along this street that the residents of Salamis reached the markets, public buildings, and residential quarters.

Particular interest is the Harbour Street. It led to the harbour, thanks to which Salamis became the island’s largest commercial centre. Goods from Egypt, Asia Minor, and other regions of the Mediterranean passed through this port.

The map of the archaeological complex also marks the fish market — another reminder of how closely the city’s life was connected with the sea.

The baths and public life

Roman baths were much more than just a place to bathe. For the residents of Salamis, they were a centre of socialising, leisure, and business life.

People came here not only for water treatments. Friends met here, news was discussed, deals were made, and a significant part of city life took place.

Today the complex still shows the remains of bathing rooms and elements of the heating system. For its time, such engineering solutions were considered advanced technology.

The existence of such baths once again confirms the high level of development of the city and its wealth.

From a pagan city to a Christian centre

The history of Salamis is reflected not only in Roman buildings. Traces of different eras and religions have been preserved on the site.

Among them are the remains of the Temple of Zeus, one of the main gods of the ancient Greek pantheon. Today only fragments remain of it, but they recall the time when the city’s inhabitants worshipped the Olympian gods.

Later Salamis became an important Christian centre. This is evidenced by the early Christian basilicas preserved in the archaeological area.

The most famous is the Basilica of Saint Epiphanius, one of the largest early Christian structures in Northern Cyprus. Also of interest is the Campanopetra basilica, located closer to the coast.

These monuments show how the city changed after the spread of Christianity and the transformation of Salamis into Constantia.

A walk among trees and ruins

Salamis differs from many archaeological complexes in that its ruins stand alongside greenery and the seashore.

Part of the routes passes among trees and open spaces, making a walk through the ancient city feel like a visit to a large historical park.

Spring and autumn are especially pleasant times to walk here. During this period, there is no intense heat, and the surrounding landscape helps you feel the atmosphere of the place more deeply.

Many points of the complex offer beautiful sea views, making Salamis one of the most picturesque archaeological sites in Northern Cyprus.
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How to tour Salamis

The complex offers two main routes: a short one and a long one.

The short route allows you to see the theatre, gymnasium, and main sights in about one hour.

The long route runs through most of the archaeological zone and includes lesser-known sites: the forum, basilicas, water reservoirs, remains of residential quarters, and Harbour Street.

If time allows, it is better to choose the long route. It is the one that helps you understand the real size of the ancient city and see the places that most tourists miss.

What tourists often miss

Besides the theatre and colonnades, many other parts of the complex deserve attention:

• the forum and agora;
• Harbour Street;
• the fish market;
• water reservoirs;
• remains of the aqueduct;
• the house with the olive mill;
• the Temple of Zeus;
• the Basilica of Saint Epiphanius;
• the Campanopetra basilica;
• 7th-century Byzantine walls.

It is precisely these details that help you see Salamis not as a collection of ruins, but as a real city with streets, markets, temples, residential houses, and a complex urban infrastructure. Information boards and signs are installed throughout Salamis to help visitors orient themselves among the main sites of the archaeological complex.

Frequently asked questions

Where did the name Salamis come from?

According to the best-known version, the city was named by Teucer in honour of the island of Salamis near Athens. There are also versions suggesting a more ancient origin of the name.

Can you see the ancient aqueduct?

Elements of the aqueduct system, reservoirs, and other engineering structures associated with water supply have been preserved on the site.

What can you see besides the theatre?

The forum, Harbour Street, basilicas, the Temple of Zeus, water reservoirs, the house with the olive mill, and the Byzantine walls.

How much time is needed for a visit?

About one hour is enough for the main sights, but for a full exploration of the site it is better to set aside 2–3 hours.

When is the best time to come?

The most comfortable time for a walk is spring, autumn, or the morning hours in summer.