Why are there so many cats in Cyprus?
Short answer: Cats have long lived on the island, and according to tradition they were brought there in the fourth century to control snakes. A monastery on the Akrotiri peninsula, St. Nicholas of the Cats, is named after them.
Quick facts
- The monastery. The Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Cats, on the Akrotiri peninsula near Limassol, takes its name from the tradition of monks keeping cats.
- The legend. According to tradition, cats were shipped to Cyprus from Egypt to deal with a plague of snakes. It is difficult to verify, and the story is best treated as a legend.
- Free-roaming cats. Cyprus today has many free-roaming cats, which are often fed by residents and looked after by volunteer groups and shelters.
- Care and neutering. As in many places, animal welfare groups on the island emphasise neutering as a way to keep numbers manageable.
Student report
I went to Cyprus with a hypothesis about snakes. I found no snakes, which is exactly what the hypothesis predicted. The School of Applied Gravity has agreed to treat this as a success.
The monastery is a peaceful place, and its cats were extremely well informed about the location of shade. I spent an afternoon in the cloister, taking notes on the behaviour of a ginger cat who was, I later realised, taking notes on me.
I recommend the island to any student who enjoys a warm wall and a good view of a courtyard.