History

11 Mar 1588

Seigneur de Villamont from Brittany arrived in Cyprus

Seigneur de Villamont from Brittany arrived in Cyprus:

On Ascension Day, Thursday May 11 1589, about mid-day, we arrived at the first point of the kingdom of Cyprus, which seamen call Cape S. Piphani and coasting along came near to Baffo. This city is situated in a fair plain, close to the sea, and much set off to landwards by low hills. But it is half ruined, so that it profits little by the beauty of its site and the fruitfulness of its soil. There are found here a great quantity of very beautiful stones called Baffo diamonds: some of them are indeed beautiful enough to deceive many a lapidary. The peasants put them aside and sell them very cheaply.