PAPHOS - Town of Aphrodite

The charming west coast town focuses around an attractive little harbour whose picturesque open air fish restaurants line a quayside of bright fishing boats and pleasure craft. With a population of just 28,000 Pafos nestles in the leg of the

 Western Troodos Mountains, which add another dimension to this area of scenic beauty. The recent addition of its own international airport nearby has opened up the Pafos area, and the resort is graced with some luxury hotels along the coastline.

 Pafos has an air of holiday charm combined with history, and olden-day elegance is lent to the town by its classical style buildings in the upper part of town which leads to the shopping area. The lower part of the town known as Kato Pafos has a life of its own albeit so close by, down near the sea home of the harbour, the fish tavernas, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them. Pafos is entwined with Greek mythology, and the legendary birth of Aphrodite on her shores brought fame and worshippers there to follow the cult of the Goddess.

  Pafos became the capital of Cyprus under the successors of Alexander the Great, the Polemies, and in those days its harbour was a busy, thriving port. It continued as the islands first city for more than seven centuries, retaining its importance under Roman rule.

Its most famous Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity by St Paul in 45 AD. But Pafos history dates back a great deal further. In fact the whole area abounds in historical and archaeological treasures.

PLACES OF INTEREST

1. PAPHOS DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Attractive collection of Cypriot antiquities from the Paphos area, dating from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD

2. BYZANTINE MUSEUM

In the premises of the Bishopric
An interesting collection of objects from the Byzantine period, including Byzantine icons from the 12th to 18th century

3. ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM

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

 4. TOMBS OF THE KINGS

Wide area containing underground tombs carved out of solid rock dating to 4th century BC, many decorated with Doric pillars. Whether Kings were buried here or not, the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.

5. AYIA SOLOMON CHURCH

Kato Paphos, St Pauls Street
Originally a Christian catacomb, a sacred tree stands at the top and according to tradition, cures the disease of those who hang a personal offering on its branches.

6. THE MOSAICS OF PAPHOS

House of Dionysos, House of Theseus and the recently excavated House of Aion. Kato Paphos near the harbour Tel: 26240217
The amazing mosaic floors, of these 3rd century AD noblemens villas, are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mostly depict scenes from Greek mythology and are beautifully executed.

 7. PAPHOS ODEON

A small 2nd century Odeon entirely built of well hewn limestone blocks. It was uncovered by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities in 1973 and is now regularly used for musical and theatrical performances.

8. SARANTA KOLONES

Kato Paphos, near the harbour
This castle was built in the first years of the rule of the Lusignans beginning of 12th century and maybe on the site of a previous Byzantine Castle. It was destroyed in the earthquake of 1222.

9. PAPHOS CASTLE
Kato Paphos

Originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, and then dismantled by the Venetians in 1570, who found themselves unable to defend it against the Ottomans, who in their turn restored and strengthened it after they captured the island.

 10. PANAYIA LIMENIOTESSA BASILICA
Kato Paphos

Dating from the Early Christian period, probably early 5th century and dedicated to our Lady of the Harbour, it was almost completely destroyed during the 7th century Arab raids.

11. PANAYIA CHRYSOPOLITISSA CHURCH AND BYZANTINE BASILICA
Kato Paphos

Built in the 13th century, over the ruins of the largest early Byzantine basilica on the island. Within the compound, one can see the so called St Pauls Pillar, where according to tradition Saint Paul was flogged at some time before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity.

12. THEOSKEPASTI CHURCH
Kato Paphos,

facing the harbour Theoskepasti means Veiled by God and according to tradition, God sent down a fog to protect the original church during the Arab raids, the modern church was built in 1923.

PAPHOS SURROUNDING AREAS

1. YEROSKIPOU FOLK ART MUSEUM

The name of the village comes from the Greek word Hieroskepos, the sacred Garden of Aphrodite. Fascinating collection of Cyprus folk arts and crafts gathered together in the house known as Hadjismith.

2. AYIA PARASKEVI CHURCH

Yeroskippou Village, 3kms east of Paphos
One of the most interesting and attractive Byzantine Churches on the island, dating to the 10th century, with a vaulted basilica, a nave and two aisles surmounted by five domes, with later frescoes dating to the 15th century. 
 

 
3. TEMPLE OF APHRODITE 

This is Palepaphos, Old Paphos, one of the most celebrated places of pilgrimage of the ancient Greek world, and once an ancient city kingdom of Cyprus. Here are the ruins of the famous Temple of Aphrodite, the most ancient remains, go back to the 12th century B.C. The temple was one of the most important places of cult and pilgrimage of the ancient world, till the 3rd or 4th century A.D. The Museum housed in the Lusignan Manor, is small but impressive with many finds from the area.

4. PETRA TOU ROMIOU (Birthplace of Aphrodite) 

According to legend, Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou meaning the Rock of the Greek, is associated with the legendary frontier guard of Byzantine times, Dighenis Akritas, who kept the marauding Saracens at bay with amazing strength, it is said in one such fight he heaved a large petra meaning rock, at his enemy.

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