Vouni Palace North Cyprus 11 10 09

Vouni Palace North Cyprus
The oriental style cliff-top palace of Vouni was built during Persian dominance by a pro-Persian king of Marion. The strategic position enabled the inhabitants to look down on the city of Soli and had advance warning if the Greek warriors from that city planned an attack. There were constant scuffles between Greek and Persian forces and when the Greeks got the upper hand they took over Vouni and made substantial changes. They erected a Temple to Athene on the south side of the hill, and altered the entrance, making it more impressive with access to the building up a broad flight of steps and into the main courtyard.
The original construction took place circa 500 BC and was inhabited for about 100 years. The Persians managed to reclaim the site after the Palace was destroyed by fire in 400 BC, but abandoned it soon after. From then on, nature took control and covered the foundations with shrubby bushes, wild olive and lentiscus. It became a grazing pasture for sheep and goats, and it was not until the Swedish expedition came to Cyprus and began their excavations that the full extent of this amazing palace came to light.
All artefacts discovered on this site during the expedition, including votive offerings from the Temple of Athene and a hoard of silver, are on display in the Nicosia museum, in south Cyprus.