Things to do :: Interesting Sites :: Paphos

Though every town in Cyprus has its distinct features and attractions, Paphos has a character all its own. Known as the capital of the west, Paphos was in fact the island`s capital in Hellenistic and Roman times. With the ancient sites dating back thousands of years scattered in and around the town, Paphos in its entirety is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of world heritage.

Ancient Monuments and Sites

Paphos Medieval Fort
The Pafos Medieval Fort which is of impressive rectangular shape and symmetrical small size, makes the predominat

picture of scenic harbor of Pafos. The fort was “built by Ahmed Pasha in 1592 A. D.” as the inscription obove the main entrance says. However, it is a reconstruction on the ruins of a formerly existing Frankish fort, sections of which were encompassed in the new building. There is an evidence of the Frankish fort being blown up and destroyed by the Venetians during the Ottoman raids as they were unable to face the invasion. Some historians and annalists claim that the fort dates even further back to the Byzantine period. History and the isolated geographical position of Pafos was the reason for constructing of a fort right beneath the harbor.

Tombs of the Kings
About 2 miles northwards of the Old Harbour you will find the Tombs of the Kings. The tombs are impressive enough to be worthy of kings. They are burial caves carved into the bedrock of the hill and decorated with Doric columns and capitals; they date from the 4th century BC. You can freely walk about the place once inside, searching through the rooms of the tombs, with parts underground carved into the rock. The men who than unrevealed these tombs took their body parts and threw them in a near by river.

tel: 26 30 62 95

Paphos Mosaics
The Paphos Mosaics are one of the most historic sites on the island of Cyprus. Considered to be the finest mosaic in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Paphos

Mosaics are located beside the harbour. These striking mosaics are a must see and many of them show scenes from Greek Mythology. They date from the 2nd century through to the 5th century and many are still in remarkable condition.

These mosaics would have originally been the floors of Roman noblesmen’s villas and many of these sites are still being excavated today.

tel: 26 30 62 17

 

 

 

Petra Tou Romiou

The Petra Tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek), or the Rock Of Aphrodite (as known in English), is a scenic place, located off the old Pafos-Lemesos road. It's a popular tourist spot, for its breathtaking view of the sea, and more famously the birth place of Aphrodite. Legend has it that this is the Rock from which Aphrodite mythically arose from the foaming sea.

Museums

Paphos Ethnographical Museum
The Ethnographic Museum in Paphos was the former Folk Art Museum up until 1971 but is now home to a collection of art from the 19th and 20th centuries. This private collection of items housed in the Ethnographical Museum in Paphos is dedicated to life on the island of Cyprus from Neolithic time’s right through to the present day. There is a comprehensive rural life section which features antiques, trays, basketry, irons, and

sieves.

tel: 26 93 20 10

Byzantine Museum
The Byzantine Museum in Paphos houses some of the oldest icons found to date in Cyprus and many of these artifacts can be traced as far back as 7th and 8th century. Also included in the Byzantine Museum you will find a large collection of objects that date from the Byzantine period and icons from the 12th through to the 18th century. The Byzantine Museum is located in the mediaeval fort in Paphos near the harbour area and is well worth a visit no matter what you are into. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm and during summer months the museum stays open till 6pm each day.

tel: 26 93 13 93

Paphos District Archaeological Museum
The Paphos District Museum is located at the entrance of Paphos town and here you will find objects that represent all the prehistory and historic periods in Paphos. The objects housed in the Paphos District Museum come from the Paphos district area and are some of the most interesting objects to have been discovered. Paphos District Museum consists of five different exhibition rooms and one penthouse. The penthouse is located in the yard of the museum and it is here that inscriptions and other limestone and marble objects are displayed.

tel: 26 30 62 15

Churches

Ayia Solomoni Church

Ayia Solomoni church was originally a Christian catacomb that was home to some 12th century frescoes. At the entrance on a rock above the Ayia Solomoni Church you will find what is believed to be a sacred tree. This centuries old terebinth tree has a legend of its own and it is believed that those who hang personal offerings on its branches will be cured of any illnesses or ailments they may have. These personal offerings are usually handkerchiefs and even today many locals and visitors do so in the hope of a cure.

Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church
The Panayia Chrysopolitissa Church was built during the 13th century on the site where the ruins of one of the largest and earliest Byzantine basilicas stood. This was the largest basilica on the island of Cyprus. On your visit to the Panayia Chrysopolitissa Church you will find St. Paul’s Pillar. Located inside the compound tradition has it that Saint Paul was in fact flogged here. It was only after this that the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity.

Theoskepasti Church
The word Theoskepasti means veiled by God and this modern church built in 1923 is devoted to the Virgin Mary. According to ancient legends it is believed that God with his divine powers sent forth a veil of fog to protect the original church that stood on these grounds to protect the people of Paphos against the raid that were being forged by the Arabs.

Monasteries

Agios Neofytos Monastery
Ayios Neophytos Monastery is said to have been founded by a Cypriot hermit and writer called Neophytos in the year 1159. Neophytos carved a home for himself out of the mountain rock and it is here that you will find some of the finest frescoes from the Byzantine period dating from the 12th to the 15th century.

Panagia Tou Sinti Monastery

Panagia Tou Sinit Monastery is an abandoned monastery that is located on the banks of the river Xeros in the Paphos region. This central nave of the Panagia Tou Sinit Monastery dates back to the 16th century and is still today in remarkably good condition mainly due to some excellent restoration work. Considered to be one of the most important buildings of the Venetian period in Cyprus, the Panagia Tou Sinti Monastery also received the Europa Nostra award for the restoration and conservation work that has been carried out.
Tel: 26 72 24 57

Cultural Centres and Art Galleries

Kouklia village: Kouklia Cultural Centre
Michalaki Christodoulou Str., Tel: 26 43 20 67

Waterparks

Aphrodite Water Park

It is set within 35,000 sqm of natural landscaped grounds and situated at the far eastern end of the Kato Paphos coastal road and offers a wide and varied

selection of rides, attractions and facilities, which include spacious changing rooms and secure locker rooms. In addition the park is also equipped with handicap facilities.
With the largest number of attractions in Cyprus everyday from May to October .We offer the biggest family rafting ride in the world as well as several other unique rides.

Open daily 10:00 – 18:00 April – October
Tel: 26 91 36 38

Amusement and Theme Parks

Paphos Aquarium
Aquarium filled with a wide range of fish from both local and foreign waters, plus extras such as crocodiles, piranhas and snakes
Open daily all year round
09:00 – 19:00 hrs in winter
09:00 – 20:00 hrs in summer
Tel: 26 95 39 20

Paphos Bird and Animal Park
The Paphos Bird and Animal Park is an exciting and informative day out for those of all ages. This extensive Park was initially created in order to educate the local communities about the world around them and how to care and conserve both bird and animal life alike. The Park houses countless species ranging from mammals, such as giraffe; reptiles, such as crocodiles, iguanas and a selection of snakes; and birds of all varieties, from parrots, owls and ostriches, to ducks, swans and geese.
Open all year round. Tel: 26 81 38 52