Cyprus Interest

Paphos

Paphos is a costal town on the southwest surrounded by beautiful countryside and is the tourist capital of the south. With a population of just 28,000 Paphos has as a backdrop the highest mountains in Cyprus, the Tróödos Mountains. It has an international airport and an old harbour at Kato Paphos and a fort.

Paphos has its own international airport nearby and some luxury hotels along the coastline which cater for the near-year round tourist trade. The older part of Paphos – Kato Paphos lies around the old Harbour in an idyllic setting with fishing vessels and surrounded by many fish restaurants and tavernas. There are a number of excavated Roman sites nearby and medieval monasteries to explore.

Paphos is closely linked with Greek Mythology, and boasts the birthplace of Aphrodite to the east of the town at a small group of rocks called “Petra tou Romiou” or Aphrodite Rocks. The town’s name is even thought to come from the name of the mythological daughter of Venus and Pygmalion. The legend of Aphrodite led Paphos to become the scene of pagan festivals and a cult of Aphrodite developed around this area.

The town of Paphos was the capital of Cyprus under the Ptolomies (the successors of Alexander the Great), and in those days its harbour was a busy thriving port. It remained the capital under Roman rule until the time of the Lusignans who moved the capital inland to Nicosia. Its most famous governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity by St Paul in 45 AD. But Paphos history dates back a great deal further. In fact the whole area abounds in historical and archaeological treasures. The archaeological and historical significance of Paphos is such that the whole town of Páfos is listed in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world heritage.

Historic Buildings and Archaeology

TOMBS OF THE KINGS
Spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars. High officials rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.

THE MOSAICS OF Paphos
House of Dionysus, House of Theseus and House of Aion
The mosaic floors of these noblemen's villas dating from the 3rd to the 5th century AD are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean, including “Winter Personified” in the House of Dionysus. They mainly depict scenes from Greek mythology.

Paphos ODEON
A small 2nd century Odeon built entirely of well-hewn limestone blocks, it is now used in the summer for musical and theatrical performances. Nearby are the remains of the ancient city walls, the Roman Agora and a building dedicated to Asklipeios, god of medicine.

SARANTA KOLONES
The Lusignans built this castle at the beginning of the early l3th century on the site of a previous Byzantine Castle. An earthquake destroyed it in 1222.

Paphos MEDIAEVAL FORT
Originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the l3th century, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 and rebuilt by the Ottomans after they captured the island in the 16th century.

Monasteries and Churches

AGIA SOLOMONI CHURCH
Originally a Christian catacomb retaining some of the l2th century frescoes. A sacred tree at the entrance is believed to cure the ailments of those who hang a personal offering on its branches.

PANAGIA LIMENIOTISSA BASILICA
Built in the early 5th century and dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Harbour', it was almost completely destroyed during the 7th century Arab raids.

PANAGIA CHRYSOPOLITISSA CHURCH AND BYZANTINE BASILICA
Built in the l3th century over the ruins of the largest Early Byzantine basilica on the island. Within the compound one can see St. Paul's Pillar, where according to tradition Saint Paul was flogged before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity.

THEOSKEPASTI CHURCH
Theoskepasti means 'Veiled by God'. According to tradition, a fog was sent by God to protect the original church during the Arab raids. The modern church was built in 1923.

Museums and Galleries

PÁFOS DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Attractive collection of Cypriot antiquities from the Páfos area, dating from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD

BYZANTINE MUSEUM
An attractive collection of objects from the Byzantine period, including Byzantine icons from the l2th to l8th centuries.

ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM
Interesting private collection of objects from the Neolithic Age to the present day.

Sports and Activities

Golf
One of Cyprus’s three world-class golfing complexes, Secret Valley Golf Club is set just off the Paphos/Limassol motorway.