From the moment in the year 1881, that His Excellency the Governor of Cyprus Sir Robert Biddulph declared the Limassol wharf open, it was clear that a new chapter was opening up for the economic, commercial and industrial history of Limassol and of the whole Cyprus, a chapter which continues to unfold, in various ways, to the present day. It was a major challenge for Britain, it is capacity as the new ‘owner’ of Cyprus to prove in practice the point made by engineer Samuel Brown, to the effect that ‘’We, the English, have the means to punch the sea and push it inwards’’, meaning that unlike previous conquerors they had the technical capacity to create in Limassol what the others could not, that is a big wharf. The aim was to allow Limassol make use of its geographical potential by hosting ships during their voyages in the Mediterranean. The presence of the wharf was also conducive to consolidating the British military presence in Cyprus.
It did not take long for the British to see the geographical importance of Limassol for the new colony. According to Sir Samuel Baker and his book, Cyprus as I Saw it in 1879, ‘’The two most important conquests of Cyprus have thus commenced from the port of Limassol which is destined to become of primary importance as the great commercial representative town of this now poor island.’’
Sir Samuel Baker went on to make the case as to where the capital city of Cyprus should be located: ‘’There can be little doubt that that the prime object is selecting a central position for the capital of Cyprus was regards for safety from any sudden attack; but upon any other grounds I cannot conceive a greater absurdity. The capital should be Limassol, which will become the Liverpool of Cyprus. Lefkosia is completely out of the commercial route; it is valueless as a military position, and it offers no climatic advantage, but, on the contrary, it is frightfully hot in the summer months and is secluded from the more active portions of the island. It is simply because it was; but it should remain as a vestige of the past, and no longer represent the capital’’
As for the coastal towns of Cyprus, ‘’Famagousta would become the arsenal and dockyard for ships of war; Larnaca and Limasol would be safe roadsteads for all classes, and could easily be arranged to protect small trading- vessels; while Baffo [Paphos] would, like Kyrenia and Soli, be restored to its original position. All rudimentary harbour-works would be planned with a view to future extension, as might be rendered necessary by the development of trade.’’
Sir Samuel could also tell, early on, the commercial potential of Limassol by virtue of its being Cyprus’ leading producer of grapes: ‘’ If Cyprus is at some future time to become a British colony, the wine trade will be the principal source of industry, and should be developed by the government with every possible encouragement to the proprietors of vineyards.’’
However, the future of Limassol was very much dependent on its ability to cope with the problem of stormy seas, which in winter time would destroy anything built on the coast in the summer. According to Sir Samuel, there already was in place an old, wooden quay. ’’The quay which faced the sea, although exposed to the undermining action of the waves, had been repaired and was in fair condition’’.
The new wharf was to be built in the place of the old narrow quay, as the British were keen on exploiting the potential of Limasol. Quoting from Sir Samuel once again, ‘’ The town [Limassol] is about a mile and a half in length, and faces the sea in a position somewhat similar to that of Larnaca. The quay is washed by the waves, which in stormy weather dash against the houses, at which times it is impossible to land from boats, and crews must remain on board their vessels safely anchored in the roadstead[…]The quay which faced the sea, although exposed to the undermining action of the waves, had been repaired and was in fair condition; from this a tolerable pier projected, upon which piles of goods were being disembarked from the steamer that had just arrived from Larnaca. Two small tugs ran upon alternate days, thus affording
facilities for passengers and goods between Limassol and Larnaca, which was a great convenience recently established to avoid the difficulty of the roadless land journey. No town in Cyprus exhibited the results of a British occupation to the same extent as Limasol. The chief commissioner, Colonel Warren, R.A., was an officer of great energy and ability, and he had grappled vigorously with every difficulty and cleansed the Augean stables thoroughly. Although not so extensive as Larnaca, Limasol is more compact, and the houses and gardens are superior. Owing to the active authority of the chief commissioner, the streets were scrupulously clean, and all the refuse of the town was conveyed to a safe distance. A public market had been recently arranged, covered with corrugated galvanised iron, in which the departments for meat, vegetables, &c., were kept separate, and the appearance and organisation resembled a market-place in England. The various open places within the town, instead of being receptacles for filth, as is usual throughout the East, had been carefully planted with young trees, most of which were exhibiting their first spring shoots and leaves. …’’
The geographicalal position of Cyprus determined, as already stated, its fate throughout time. Limassol as a cultural islet always belonged to the Greek historical and cultural circle, while retaining at the same time, close ties with the African continent on the southern part of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Cyprus position within the Mediterranean basin turned it into an essential point for commercial exchanges with north Africa, especially with Egypt and its leading ports of Alexandria and Port Said. Whereas in medieval times other Mediterranean islands constituted shelters for pirates, Limassol position meant that it was more of a safe passage and a reliable jetty in sea communications. Limassol is one of the most representative cases in the Mediterranean, where the geographicalal position determined its route throughout the centuries, following of course the fate of Cyprus in general in being given away, sold, conquered without the local people having any say.
Its geographicalal position seems to have determined, since ancient times, the history of Limassol, as well as its economic and overall development on the way to becoming a leading town in the region, a religious centre hosting the sanctuary of Aphrodite at Amathus and also an export centre.
The Big Wharf, built in 1879 has been closely intertwined with the economic history of Limassol to this day and the subsequent construction of additional quays ushered Limassol into the 21st century.
