Cyprus in the past

Cyprus pictured in 1918. The centre span of this bridge could be lifted to allow small boats to pass.

A camel train rests in a Larnaca street. These were commonly used as pack animals in Cyprus in the days before construction of an adequate road network.

A street market in Famagusta photographed in the early 1950s, close to Agia Sophia church. On the left, elderly Turkish men while away the hours at a cafe and traders wait for custom.

 In an unknown village a group of women rest between agricultural work.

Ledra Street is Nicosia's main shopping thoroughfare seen here in the 1950s. This is the Northern end, just beyond the crossing point between the Greek and Turkish districts. The scene has changed little although many of these shops now sell fake designer clothes to tourists.

The Famagusta Gate in Nicosia is one of the four original entrances to the old city. The old city is surrounded by ancient walls, the gates were once closed at th  evening curfew time. Famagusta Gate how houses a small museum.http://www.tunnelbreeze.com/2017/02/tearful-goodbye.html

Shepherds and goatherds in Cyprus seem to have an affinity with their charges which isn't shared by their colleagues in other lands. Whilst Western European farmers keep a well trained dog to control their flocks, their Cypriot equivalents sismply talk to their animals which always respond accordingly

Before the days of farm mechanisation, threshing near Larnaca. The farmer sits on a makeshift platform drawn by oxen. No doubt this method worked even if rather unhttp://www.tunnelbreeze.com/2017/02/vintage-aviation-in-colour.htmlcomfortable and slow.

Making deliveries early in the 20th century. A familiar name in Cyprus but these days better known for beer.

Women gather at the village well to draw water. Photograph by Thompson in 1878

This photograph also by Thompson shows a bullock cart in 1878.  In the background, a large number of camels are resting.  The buildings feature a bell tower and are perhaps a monastery.

John Thompson's photograph of Larnaca waterfront shows a scene which is unrecognizable 140 years later.

Eleftheria Square in Nicosia, probably in the late 1950s. This scene has changed little althouhh the vehicles will now be modern and the British style phone boxes have no doubt been replaced.

Loading oranges at Famagusta in the early 1950s. A large number of porters ensures that the ship only has to stay in port for a short time.

The Larnaca waterfront in the old Turkish Quarter of the city.