PARALIMNI: The Five Arches and their history (VIDEO)

Cyprus since ancient times is said to have suffered from droughts and lack of water. For this reason, the inhabitants were forced, with the means at their disposal at the time, to find a solution to the problem of lack of water in order to meet their irrigation and water supply needs.

In medieval times, this problem was addressed by the systematic channeling and underground storage of rainwater. In order to avoid water loss during transport, clay pipes and built underground ditches were used. Also for irrigation purposes mainly developed to a large extent the systems of successive wells, the so-called "burrows". In those of which the water did not reach the surface, they used the alakati, which was turned by an animal. In this way the private farms were irrigated.

For the above purpose in its area Panagia, during the Venetian period, was built aqueduct which supplied water to the city of Famagusta using mechanically excellent underground and above ground structures. Part of these constructions were also the Five Arches which are currently within administrative boundaries Paralimni, inside the dead zone, in the area of ​​Famagusta Hospital. This building also gave the name to the area ("Pente Kamares" area).

With information from Big Cyprus