PAFOS - Areas Of Interest

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

Byzantine Museum
A. Ioannou 3 Tel: (06) 931393

An interesting collection of objects from the Byzantine period, including Byzantine icons from the 7th to 18th centuries, and the oldest icon found yet ib Cyprus of th e7th or 8th century.

Ethnographical Museum
Exo Vrysis 1 Tel: (06) 932010

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

Paphos Mediaeval Fort
Kato Pafos harbour

Originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570, and rebuilt by the Ottomans after they captured the island in the 16th century.

Ayia Solomoni Church
Kato Pafos, Leoforos Agiou Pavlou

Originally a Christian catacomb retaining some of the 12th century frescoes. A sacred tree at the entrance is believed to cure the ailments of those who hang a personal offering on its branches.

Tombs of the Kings
Kato Paphos. Tel: (02) 940295.

Spread over a vast area, these impressive undergound 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 Dionysos, House of Theseus and House of Aion.
Kato Paphos. Tel: (06) 940217.

House of Dionysos, House of Theseus, House of Aion and House of Orpheus.The mosaic floors of these 3rd and 5th century AD noblemenÕs villas, are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mostly depict scenes from Greek mythology.

Paphos Odeon
Kato Pafos

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
Kato Pafos, near the harbour.

This castle was built by the Lusignans at the beginning of 13th century on the site of a previous Byzantine Castle. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1222.

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 St. Paul's Pillar, where according to tradition Saint Paul was flogged before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity.

Theoskepasti Church
Kato Paphos.

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.

Yeroskipou Folk Art Museum
Yeroskipou village. Tel: (06) 940216.

The name of the village comes from the Greek phrase, "hieros kepos", the sacred garden of Aphrodite.

Fascinating collection of folk art and crafts gathered together in the house known as Hadjismith.

Ayia Paraskevi Church
Geroskipou village, Tel. (06) 961859

One of the most interesting and attractive Byzantine churches on the island, dating to the 10th century. It has a vaulted basilica surmounted by five domes forming a cross and has wall paintings dating to the 15th century.

Sanctuary of Aphrodite
Kouklia village, 14 km east of Pafos
Tel: (06) 432180.

Palaipafos, Old Paphos, was one of the most celebrated of pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world, and once an ancient city-kingdom of Cyprus. Here stood the famous sanctuary of Aphrodite, the most ancient remains of which date back to the 12th century BC The glorious days of the sanctuary lasted, till the 3rd-4th century AD The Museum, housed in the Lusignan Manor, contains many interesting finds from the area. Excavations continue on the site of the sanctuary, the city and the necropolis.

Petra Tou Romiou
(Birthplace of Aphrodite) 25 km east of Pafos

According to legend, Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, rose form the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou (The Rock of the Greek), is associated with the legendary frontierguard of Byzantine times, Dighenis Akritas, who kept the marauding Saracens at bay with amazing strength. It is said in one such fight he heaved this large rock (petra) into the sea destroying the enemy's ship.

Panayia Chryseleousa
Polemi village.

A complex of two churches. The oldest is the northern one which is a domed cross-in-square type building possibly of the 12th century. Later in the 18th century a barrel-vaulted church was added to the south. Excellent 16th century icons survive on the iconostasis.

Pegeia (Ayios Georghios Basilica and the fountains of Pegeia)

Near a fishing refuge 4 km from the village of Pegeia, are the ruins of two early Christian basilicas with some very interesting mosaic floors depicting animals. This site must have been an important establishment in Early Christian times. There are also rock-hewn tombs of the Roman period above the sea. Peyia is famous for its fountains in the stone paved village square.

Lempa
At Lempa village excavations have brought to light an important settlement of the Chalcolithic period. Near the site replicas of two houses from this period have been constructed.

Ayios Neophytos Monastery
Founded at the end of the 12th century by the Cypriot hermit and writer, Neophytos. The "Engleistra", an enclosure, carved out of the mountain by the hermit, contains some of the finest Byzantine frescoes dating from the 12th to the 15th century. In the monastery's church there is an interesting collection of icons and remains of 16th century frescoes.

Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery
Set in beautiful surroundings, this monastery, dedicated to Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate, was originally founded in the 12th century but the present building dates to 1779. The monastery has a collection of important icons and treasures. An impressive religious ceremony and celebrations are held on 15 August. The old winery of the monastery produces some of the best vintage wine in Cyprus.

Pano Panayia
On the west of Troodos, 1,5 km from Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery

The birthplace of Archbishop Makarios III, first President of Cyprus. The house where he was born has been turned into a museum.

Polis Chrysochous
37 km North of Pafos

Polis tis Chrysochou lies where once stood the ancient city-kingdom of Marion, an important commercial centre in Classical and Hellenistic times. Some beautiful houses, dating to the beginning of this century, can still be seen here. Its excellent climate and beautiful beaches and scenery, have made the area a popular resort.
Of interest in the centre of the town is the barrel vaulted church of Agios Andronikos which dates to the 16th century. This was turned into a mosque during the Turkish period, when the northern part was added to it and the wall paintings were covered by an asbestos wash. Recently, all the wall paintings, dating to the 16th century, have been uncovered. Next to the church lies the 18th century church of Agia Kyriaki.

Beautifuk beaches can be found in the surrounding region, pictaresque villages as well as interesting churches, such as the churches of Agia Aikaterini and Panagia Chorteni.

Baths Of Aphrodite
Akamas Peninsula, near Polis. 48 km north of Pafos

According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to take her beauty baths in the pool of this natural grotto, shaded by a fig tree. Nature trails from the Baths lead to the Fontana Amorosa area and to other areas of Akamas.