This Bronze Age city dates back as far as 1800 BC. It rose to prominence when it became a large copper-producing centre during the late Bronze Age (1650–1050 BC).
What remains of the present site dates from around 1200 BC. The rectangular grid layout was established then, and its fine public buildings were erected.
The site is a two kilometres west, along the same road, from the Church of Apostolos Varnavas. The site itself is widespread and requires a lot of walking to get around. Pick up a leaflet with map at the ticket office to help with navigation.
Enkomi was known for its high standard of living and its wealthy merchants who conducted trade as agents of the Mycenaeans.
Akkadian cuneiform slabs found in Tel el-Amarna, Egypt, contain promises of copper to the pharaoh from the king of Alasia, in return for silver and luxury items. It’s still unclear whether the name Alasia referred to Cyprus as a whole or just Enkomi itself.
A fire and at least two earthquakes led to Enkomi’s decline, and then its inland harbour silted up. Some speculate that its last residents headed to the coast and founded Salamis. Much of the site has been looted, but many of its tombs were said to have held gold, ivory and exquisite Mycenaean pottery.
