Ancient sites to see in Paphos:

Here is a quick list of places to see in Paphos (Pafos) if you have an interest in history and archaeology.

Peyia:

Agios Georgios -Cape Drepanon.

Agios Georgios Basilica

St. George.

This is the site of remains from an ancient Basilica which still has floor mosaics visible and also along the cliffs facing the island of Geronisos there are rock cut tombs.

You will also find here the small domed church of Ayios Georgios built in the last century and nearby there are older smaller churches which are all still used for worship.

Maa - Paleokastro Kastro (old fortress)

You will find the turn off to this site between the Coral Beach Hotel and the Thalassa Hotel at Coral Bay. This is a fortified Bronze Age (Achaian) settlement - of note is the charming underground 'Museum of the Mycenaean Colonisation of Cyprus' - worth a visit.

Lemba:

Lemba village

Is the location of a prehistoric site of a Chalcolithic settlement (3500 BC). British archaeologists have reconstructed several of the cylindrical dwellings and painted them with designs found from pottery on the site - an interesting visit for something a bit different.

Paphos:

Tombs of the Kings

On your way to Kato Paphos - a number of tombs cut from the bedrock starting from the Ptolemaic period - however there is no evidence to suggests royals were buried here (most likely aristocrats) but the name has probably more to do with the locals imaging that the grandness of the underground courtyards and tombs must have been fits for royalty.

Kato Paphos (to the harbour)

Because of the wealth of archaeological sites of Kato Paphos has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Catacombs:

Ayiou Pavlou Str. Paphos

Ayia Solomoni - Fabrica Hill.

A withered old pistachio tree marks the spot of this still popularly visited underground Christian catacomb. The catacombs of Fabrica Hill were either natural caves with some carved out of the hill side or bedrock around the 4th C BC these catacombs later were used as a place of worship and as a refuge for the early Christians during the roman reign & Christian persecutions. The underground chapels of Ayia Solomoni have frescoes and you will also see graffiti left by the Crusaders who were in Cyprus during the 13thc AD. This site is still in use by worshipers - people hang bits of cloth on the tree in the hope of curing their illnesses.

St. Paul's Pillar

Investigate the ruins of the early Christian basilica around 4thc AD in addition there is a particular column in the ruins which it is said that St. Paul was tied to and flogged by the pagan inhabitants who were later converted to Christianity.

Kato Paphos (the harbour)

Paphos Fort

On the harbour edge – you will find a small castle/fort originally built by the Byzantine to protect the harbour - rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century and which was partially destroyed during fighting between the Venetians and the Ottomans (16thc AD), it was partially restored by the Ottomans which they used as a dungeon and then later the fort was used as a salt store by the British. You can now visit it to experience the atmospheric interior and climb to the top to enjoy the breathtaking view of the harbour shoreline.

Paphos Archaeological Park:

Entry is through a modern stone gateway at the far end of the parking lot near to the Paphos Fort.Odeon & Agora

• 2ndc AD the Odeon (small open air theatre) has been partially restored and is still used for theatrical performances in summer. Also in front of the Odeon was an Agora (market); nearby are remnant of the ancient city walls and a building dedicated to the god of medicine, Asklipeios.Saranta Kolones Fortress:
• The name comes from the 40 columns (saranta kolones) that are scattered around the ruins. Originally a Byzantine structure it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in 12thc AD it was finally destroyed by an earthquake in 1222. You can still see old terracotta plumbing pipes and stone wc communal seating area.Paphos Mosaics
• 2ndc AD - Remains of a number of roman noblemen houses - each house is named after the particular mosaic within, scenes are mainly taken from mythology - considered some of the best mosaics in the Eastern Mediterranean - a must see!

Ktima (upper Paphos)

Loutra (Turkish Baths):

The bath is located next to the modern day municipal market (Agora) and the large council car park. In a shady part of the Agora lies a domed covered Turkish Bath – the original structure may have been used as a church, later the Turks changed its use into Turkish baths and after many years of neglect the building has been restored and you can visit it today.

MUSEUMS:

Paphos Archaeological Museum:

A collection of Paphos artifacts dating from the Neolithic Age to the 1700 AD. Keep an eye out for the interestingly shaped ancient hot water bottles!

Byzantine museum:

A collection of religious object and icons from the Byzantine period onwards.

Ethnographic museum:

An eclectic private collection of object from last century spanning back to the Neolithic period.

Ayios Neophytos Monastery:

9km north of Paphos:

• Founded at the end of the 12thc AD by the Cypriot hermit/monk Neophytos whom carved out a three small caves known as the 'Encleistra' (hermitage) and painted them with beautiful Byzantine frescoes. The monastery also has an interesting ecclesiastical museum. Beware there are strict dress codes so please dress respectfully - no shorts.

Folk Art Museum:

Leondiou St. Geroskipou

• The museum is located in a 19th century historic house and has an interesting collection of local folk costumes, textiles, embroidery and household items.

OTHER VILLAGES & SITES OF INTEREST:

Geroskipou:

The sacred 'Geros' Garden 'kipou'.

This village was originally built on the site of an ancient forest dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite. Here you will find along the main street various shops that produce 'Loukoumia' (like turkish delight) other sweets are also available and many shops allow you to view the production process. There are also shops selling baskets, pottery and other crafts.Of note is Agia Paraskevi church - a 9thc Byzantine church unusual in its design with 5 domes arranged in the shape of a Cross. Internally there are 15thc frescoes.

THE CULT OF APHRODITE:

Kouklia village:

14 km east of Paphos - off the Lemesos / Paphos road. Tel: (26) 432180

Paleopafos Paphos (Old Paphos).

Was one of the most important pilgrimage points for Pagan Cypriots as the Sanctuary of the goddess Aphrodite was located here, the ruins date from the 12thc BC till the 3rd-4thc BC. Kouklia was also an ancient city-kingdom of Cyprus said to be founded by a hero of the Trojan wars, Agaperon who was the son of the King of Arcadia in Greece. The current museum is located in a restored Lusignan Manor (built during the crusades and remodeled by the Turks). Of notable interest is the large black conical stone artifact that was worshiped as the representation of the Goddess no other example of this stone has been found in Cyprus.

Spring time was when many pilgrims visited the sanctuary adorned with flowers and vestiges of the pagan practice can be still found in the Paphos spring flower festival - the Anthistiria.

Trivia point: legend has it that King Pygmalion, a local king and a gifted sculptor carved himself a statue of profound beauty which he fell in love with - Aphrodite the Goddess of love, touched by the Kings passion turned the statue into a woman whom Pygmalion then had a son with and named Paphos which the town is named after. George Bernard Shaw used this story as inspiration for his play 'Pygmalion' which later became also known as the musical 'My Fair Lady'

Petra Tou Romiou:

Enjoy the beautiful coastline where you will find 'The rock of Romios' 25km from Paphos town This site is known as the birthplace of the goddess of Love - Aphrodite.

Aphrodite was said to have risen out of the sea foam (her name derives from born of foam (aphro)). The name 'The rock of the Greek or Romios' is due to the tale of the legendary Byzantine soldier Digenis Akritas (also known as Romios) the story goes that the large rocks jutting out of the water on this site are the same ones that Romios (known for his mighty strength) threw at the marauding Saracens to keep them at bay - these rocks thrown by Romios destroyed the enemy's ships and we can still see this large rocks in the positions where they landed! The Greeks like a good yarn.

Polis

The Baths of Aphrodite - Polis

Said to be the bathing place of Aphrodite and where she would woo lovers. Now it is a tranquil grotto surrounded by shady vines and a large fig tree - it was said if you bathed in these waters you would regain your youth - unfortunately bathing is not allowed anymore! A nice easy walk for nature lovers.