PAPHOS Paphos is one of the most beautiful and ancient towns of Cyprus. Wherever one treads in Paphos he comes across its glorious history which dates back thousands of years, when the cult of goddess Aphrodite who emerged from its seas, flourished in this beautiful part of the world attracting many visitors from the island and abroad. Paphos is one of the most beautiful and ancient towns of Cyprus. Wherever one treads in Paphos he comes across its glorious history which dates back thousands of years, when the cult of goddess Aphrodite who emerged from its seas, flourished in this beautiful part of the world attracting many visitors from the island and abroad. Today Paphos is a small harbour town, but in Hellenistic and Roman times it was the capital of Cyprus. Paphos is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, sex, and beauty, and the founding myth is interwoven with the goddess at every level. Still under the spell of her Beauty-Goddess, the area retaining her magic, has remained impact by time. Paphos seduces its visitor with its majestic landscape, lovely coastline, historical treasures and delightful villages where tradition is still a way of life. Today Paphos is a small harbour town, but in Hellenistic and Roman times it was the capital of Cyprus. Paphos is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, sex, and beauty, and the founding myth is interwoven with the goddess at every level. Still under the spell of her Beauty-Goddess, the area retaining her magic, has remained impact by time. Paphos seduces its visitor with its majestic landscape, lovely coastline, historical treasures and delightful villages where tradition is still a way of life.AphroditeGreek goddessAphroditeGreek goddess

The Founding of Paphos The city of Paphos, on the southwest coast of the island, was founded by King Kiniras in 1400 BC. The port of Paphos was built by Nicocles, the last King of Paphos, at the time of Alexander the Great. It became the capital of the island replacing Salamis during the Hellenistic period as its masters, the Ptolemies, favored a location closer to their capital, Alexandria. The Romans retained Paphos as the seat of Roman Governor. The city of Paphos, on the southwest coast of the island, was founded by King Kiniras in 1400 BC. The port of Paphos was built by Nicocles, the last King of Paphos, at the time of Alexander the Great. It became the capital of the island replacing Salamis during the Hellenistic period as its masters, the Ptolemies, favored a location closer to their capital, Alexandria. The Romans retained Paphos as the seat of Roman Governor. In the founding myth, even the town's name is linked to the goddess Aphrodite, as the eponymous Paphos was the son of Pygmalion and his ivory cult image of Aprodite, which was brought to life by the Goddess as "milk-white" Galatea. The author of Bibliotheke, the Hellenistic encyclopedia of myth long attributed to Apollodorus, gives the genealogy. Pygmalion was so devoted to the cult of Aphrodite that he removed the statue to his palace and kept it on his couch. The daimon of the goddess entered into the cult image, and the living Galatea bore Pygmalion a son Paphos and a daughter Metharme. Cinyras, perhaps the son of Paphos, but perhaps the successful suitor of Metharme, founded the city under the patronage of Aphrodite and built the great temple to the goddess there. According to another legend preserved by Strabo whose text, however, varies, it was founded by the Amazons. In the founding myth, even the town's name is linked to the goddess Aphrodite, as the eponymous Paphos was the son of Pygmalion and his ivory cult image of Aprodite, which was brought to life by the Goddess as "milk-white" Galatea. The author of Bibliotheke, the Hellenistic encyclopedia of myth long attributed to Apollodorus, gives the genealogy. Pygmalion was so devoted to the cult of Aphrodite that he removed the statue to his palace and kept it on his couch. The daimon of the goddess entered into the cult image, and the living Galatea bore Pygmalion a son Paphos and a daughter Metharme. Cinyras, perhaps the son of Paphos, but perhaps the successful suitor of Metharme, founded the city under the patronage of Aphrodite and built the great temple to the goddess there. According to another legend preserved by Strabo whose text, however, varies, it was founded by the Amazons. eponymousPygmalioncult imageGalateaBibliothekedaimoncult imageMetharmeCinyrasStrabo Amazons eponymousPygmalioncult imageGalateaBibliothekedaimoncult imageMetharmeCinyrasStrabo Amazons

Paphos however, was gradually losing much of its attraction as an administrative centre. The result was that the capital was moved inland to Lefkosia ( Nicosia). The city and its port continued to decline throughout the Middle Ages and Ottoman Rule, as Nicosia, and the port cities of Larnaka and Famagusta were gaining in importance. Paphos however, was gradually losing much of its attraction as an administrative centre. The result was that the capital was moved inland to Lefkosia ( Nicosia). The city and its port continued to decline throughout the Middle Ages and Ottoman Rule, as Nicosia, and the port cities of Larnaka and Famagusta were gaining in importance. The city and the district of Paphos had remained the most underdeveloped part of the island until 1974 when the Turkish invasion happened. After 1974 there was rapid economic activity in all fields in Paphos but especially tourism and the district population started to increase. The city and the district of Paphos had remained the most underdeveloped part of the island until 1974 when the Turkish invasion happened. After 1974 there was rapid economic activity in all fields in Paphos but especially tourism and the district population started to increase. The government invested big capitals in infrastructure and in building of the Paphos International Airport while private initiative concentrated in hotel, apartment and villa construction and the entertainment infrastructure. The government invested big capitals in infrastructure and in building of the Paphos International Airport while private initiative concentrated in hotel, apartment and villa construction and the entertainment infrastructure.

Paphos Today Today Paphos is a popular sea resort with population of It is divided into two major quarters – Ktima, on the sea terrace, is the main residential district, and the Kato Paphos, by the sea, is built around the mediaeval port and contains most of the luxury hotels and the entertainment infrastructure of the city. Today Paphos is a popular sea resort with population of It is divided into two major quarters – Ktima, on the sea terrace, is the main residential district, and the Kato Paphos, by the sea, is built around the mediaeval port and contains most of the luxury hotels and the entertainment infrastructure of the city. Paphos 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 taverns, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them. Paphos 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 taverns, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them.

Archaeological Sites Among the treasures unearthed, are the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, beautifully preserved after 16 centuries under the soil. Then there are the mysterious vaults and caves, the Tombs of the Kings, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the various Museums. Among the treasures unearthed, are the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, beautifully preserved after 16 centuries under the soil. Then there are the mysterious vaults and caves, the Tombs of the Kings, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the various Museums. PAFOS MEDIEVAL FORT: PAFOS MEDIEVAL FORT: At the harbour, there is the Castle of Paphos, originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour and rebuilt by the Lusignans in the thirteenth century, then dismantled in 1570 by the Venetians, who found themselves unable to defend it against the Ottomans, who in their turn restored and strengthened it after they captured the island. At the harbour, there is the Castle of Paphos, originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour and rebuilt by the Lusignans in the thirteenth century, then dismantled in 1570 by the Venetians, who found themselves unable to defend it against the Ottomans, who in their turn restored and strengthened it after they captured the island. Lusignans1570VenetiansOttomans Lusignans1570VenetiansOttomans

PETRA TOU ROMIOU: PETRA TOU ROMIOU: Birthplace of Aphrodite, 25km from Paphos. According to legend, Aphrodite mythological goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Baths of Aphrodite at Polis and the "Fontana Amorosa" - Fountain of Love - also echo her apparent penchant for the island. At Kouklia lie the remains of the Goddess's earliest Sanctuary.The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou " THE ROCK OF THE GREEK " is associated with the legendary frontier- guard of Byzantine times Digenis Akritas who kept the marauding Saracens at bay with amazing strength. It is said that he heaved this large rock into the sea destroying the enemy's ship. Birthplace of Aphrodite, 25km from Paphos. According to legend, Aphrodite mythological goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Baths of Aphrodite at Polis and the "Fontana Amorosa" - Fountain of Love - also echo her apparent penchant for the island. At Kouklia lie the remains of the Goddess's earliest Sanctuary.The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou " THE ROCK OF THE GREEK " is associated with the legendary frontier- guard of Byzantine times Digenis Akritas who kept the marauding Saracens at bay with amazing strength. It is said that he heaved this large rock into the sea destroying the enemy's ship.

LEMPA: LEMPA: 5 kilometres from Paphos. Lempa village can be singled out as one with historic significance. In its pretty setting near the sea, Lempa's link with prehistory is the site of a chalcolithic settlement. Today the faithful reconstruction of several dwellings, gives an insight into chalcolithic life on the island. Near the site replicas of two houses from this period have been constructed. 5 kilometres from Paphos. Lempa village can be singled out as one with historic significance. In its pretty setting near the sea, Lempa's link with prehistory is the site of a chalcolithic settlement. Today the faithful reconstruction of several dwellings, gives an insight into chalcolithic life on the island. Near the site replicas of two houses from this period have been constructed.

TOMBS OF THE KINGS: 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. 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.

BATHS OF APHRODITE: BATHS OF APHRODITE: An area of breath taking beauty associated with Aphrodite. According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to bathe in the pool of the nearby natural grotto, which is shaded by a fig tree. A trail from the Baths takes you to Fontana Amorosa (8 km from the Baths, at the end of the Akamas Peninsula). Walking along this trail, one can enjoy an incomparable view and unspoilt nature. An area of breath taking beauty associated with Aphrodite. According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to bathe in the pool of the nearby natural grotto, which is shaded by a fig tree. A trail from the Baths takes you to Fontana Amorosa (8 km from the Baths, at the end of the Akamas Peninsula). Walking along this trail, one can enjoy an incomparable view and unspoilt nature.

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

CHURCHES: CHURCHES: Another 'first' for Paphos was its early recognition of Christianity. While under Roman rule in 45 A.D., it was here that Saint Paul converted the first ruler to the faith. Another 'first' for Paphos was its early recognition of Christianity. While under Roman rule in 45 A.D., it was here that Saint Paul converted the first ruler to the faith.