and a 25-foot minaret. In 1899, there was also a school that belonged to the same foundation. The hewn stone minaret on the mosque's eastern side was demolished in 1974 and the present-day concrete minaret was constructed in 1976. Culture The town annually hosts the Lapta Tourism Festival in the first week of June. Numerous cultural and sporting activities, folk dance shows by groups from various countries and concerts take place during the festival. Lapithos has a unique needlework with original patterns, known as the Lapta lace (). The handicraft is still preserved as a product for tourists, and is made on linen fabric with the cross-stitch technique. Lapithos have also produced the culturally important walnut wood chests for Cyprus. The town also has a tradition of knife-making; its knives traditionally had handles made of goat horn and were known for the sharpness and workmanship. The town is one of the most important silk-producing centres in the island and has been historically that way. The silk is used locally and island-wide in handicrafts and for weaving. Lapithos hosts a vibrant sports life concentrated on the sea. Water sports such as diving, windsurfing, jet-skiing, water-skiing and parasailing are popular. Horse riding and cycling are also practised. The town is the centre of several hiking trails protected by Natura 2000; these trails pass through the area's forests, ruins of ancient cities and temples, churches and historical warehouses. The town is home to the football club Lapta Türk Birliği S.K. They played in Süper Lig, the top-level division of Turkish Cypriot football in the 2014–15 season, but were relegated as they attained the last place. Notable locals George of Cyprus, Byzantine geographer Ioannis Tsangaridis, Greek general Andreas G. Orphanides, Professor of History and Archaeology, Music Composer International relations Twin towns – sister cities Lapithos is unofficially twinned with: Büyükçekmece, Turkey (since 2007) Kemer, Antalya, Turkey (since 2012) Karpoš, Skopje, North Macedonia (since 2015) References External links History of Lapithos by the Municipality Parish Churches of Lapithos by the Municipality Farming and Crops Lapta town and its history About Lapta Village Municipalities in Kyrenia District Populated places in Girne District Populated coastal places in Cyprus Cities in ancient Cyprus Municipalities of Northern Cyprus