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Aphrodite’s Rock Enter another world, where idols and temples, graves and goddesses make up the fabric of everyday life.Pafos is where Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, is said to have risen from the waves that crash on its shores.
Marble Statue of Aphrodite. Recovered from the sea near Pafos. Roman period. Pafos Archaeological Museum.
Petra tou Romiou, or Aphrodite’s Rock, is a massive chunk of stone that marks the spot. Her birthplace was a place of pilgrimage for the entire Hellenic world. Aphrodite’s presence seems to have drawn other divinities and notable mortals as well. Excavations have unearthed the spectacular 3rd -5th century-mosaics of the Houses of Dionysus, Orpheus, and Aion, and the Villa of Theseus — buried for sixteen centuries and yet remarkably intact. Their grace of line and subtlety of color will surely inspire elevated feelings in those who see them. Also in this region is the Odeon Theater, a stone structure still used as it was in ancient times for outdoor concerts, plays, and games. Small wonder then that the whole
Tomb of the Kings town of Pafos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of world heritage.
Past Polis and Latsi, the Baths of Aphrodite provided the ancients with a dramatic setting for outdoor bathing. The Fontana Amorosa, or fountain of love, still bubbles forth nearby. Is it simply water... or Aphrodite’s fabled love potion?
Later periods of history have also left their traces. The Tombs of the Kings, in Kato Pafos, is a monumental honeycomb structure carved into sheer rock whose vaults held the tombs of Ptolemy period nobles. Nearby, the stone pillar where St. Paul, according to tradition, was bound and beaten for preaching Christianity thrusts heavenward. The Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery was founded in the 12th century A.D. and is dedicated to “Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate.” The neighboring monastery of Agios Neofytos contains some of the world’s finest Byzantine frescoes and icons as well as an interesting Byzantine museum.
Archaeological discoveries in the Pafos region are continual, making it a highlight for those tracing civilization’s roots in Cyprus. For a glimpse of the artifacts and masterworks found in the area, visit the District Archeological Museum.
Mosaic in Pafos Returning to the 20th century, enjoy a cool drink, a steaming Cypriot coffee, or a meal of just-caught seafood in one of the tavernas that dot the scenic harborside in the town of Pafos. Hotels for every taste and budget can be found in town and the surrounding area. Use them as your home base for discovering this rich region.
Pafos District Archaeological Museum Griva Digeni 43.
Attractive collection of Cypriot antiquities-Neolithic Age to 1700 A.D.
Mon-Fri: 07:30-17:00; Thurs: 15:00-18:00; Sat-Sun: 10:00-13:00Byzantine Museum A. Ioannou 7.
Icons from the 12th to 18th centuries.
Mon-Sat: 09:00-12:30; Mon-Fri: 14:00-17:00.
(June to September) 16:00-19:00Ethnographical Museum Exo Vrysis 1.
From the Neolithic Age to the present day.
Mon-Sat: 09:00-13:00; Mon-Fri: 14:00-17:00
(May to September) 15:00-19:00; Sun: 10:00-13:00Tombs of the Kings Kato Pafos.
These impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th century B.C. They are carved out of solid rock, some decorated with Doric pillars. The magnificence of the tombs gives the locality its name.
Mon-Sun: 07:30-17:00Agia Solomoni Church Kato Pafos, Leoforos Agiou Pavlou.
Originally a Christian catacomb retaining 12th-century frescoes. A sacred tree is believed to cure the sick.The Mosaics of Pafos Kato Pafos, near the harbor.
The mosaic floors are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mainly depict scenes from Greek mythology.
Mon-Sun: 07:30-17:00Pafos Odeon Kato Pafos.
A 2nd-century odeon built of limestone. Now used in the summer for music and theater. Nearby, the remains of ancient city walls and the Roman Agora.Saranta Kolones Kato Pafos, near the harbor.
Built by the Lusignans in the 13th century on the site of a previous Byzantine castle. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1222.Pafos Medieval Fort Kato Pafos harbor.
A Byzantine fort built to protect the harbor. Rebuilt by the Lusignans. Dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 and rebuilt by the Ottomans in the 16th century.
Mon-Sun: 10:00-17:00Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church Kato Pafos.
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.Geroskipou Folk Art Museum Geroskipou village, 3 km east of Pafos.
Named after the sacred garden of Aphrodite. Folk arts and crafts is exhibited in the beautiful Chatzismith house.
Mon-Fri: 07:30-14:30; Thurs: 15:00-18:00 (except July and August)Agia Paraskevi Church Geroskipou village, 3 km east of Pafos.
Byzantine church dating to the 10th century, a basilica surmounted by five domes forming a cross, with beautiful 15th century-murals.Sanctuary of Aphrodite Kouklia village, 14 km east of Pafos, off the Lemesos-Pafos Road.
Palaipaphos, Old Paphos, was a celebrated pilgrimage center of the ancient Greek world. Here stood the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, which dates back to the 12th century B.C.
Daily: 07:30-17:00Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock) Birthplace of Aphrodite. 25 km east of Pafos.
Legend dictates that Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou or ‘The Rock of the Greek’ is associated with the legendary Byzantian frontier-guard, Digenis Akritas.Lempa 5 km from Pafos.
At Lempa village excavations have brought to light an important settlement of the Chalcolithic period. Near the site replicas of two houses have been constructed.Pegeia Pegeia village, 19 km northwest of Pafos.
Agios Georgios Basilica and the fountains of Pegeia. 4,5 km from the village are the ruins of two early Christian basilicas with mosaic floors. Pegeia Village is famous for its fountains in the stone-paved village square.Agios Neofytos Monastery 9 km north of Pafos.
Founded at the end of the 12th century by the Cypriot hermit and writer Neofytos. The ‘Egkleistra,’ an enclosure carved out of the mountain, contains some of the finest Byzantine frescoes dating from the 12th to 15th century. In the monastery’s church there is an interesting ecclesiastical museum.Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery 40 km northeast of Pafos.
The monastery, originally founded in the 12th century A.D., is dedicated to ‘Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate’. The building dates back to 1770 and has a collection of important icons and treasures. Religious celebrations are held on the 15th of August. The old winery produces some of the best vintage wine of Cyprus.Pano Panagia 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 converted into a museum.Polis 37 km north of Pafos.
Polis tis Chrysochou lies where there once stood the ancient city-kingdom of Marion. Its beautiful climate, crystal clear beaches and breathtaking scenery have made the area an attractive popular resort.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 a pool of a natural grotto, shaded by a fig tree, which can still be visited. Nature trails set off from Akamas to lead nature lovers to incomparable views of unspoiled land.
Shopping in Cyprus is a fun experience because it mirrors the fact that the island is such a land of wonderful contrasts. You can find goods and products that are produced in the humblest village workshop, but you can also find the highest fashions in the larger, more sophisticated cities. You can buy everything from folk art souvenirs to locally-made cheeses, (including delicious Halloumi) and local wines and spirits.
The historic folk arts of Cyprus are the inspiration for many of the quality gift and souvenir items you can buy on the island. Among them laces named after the village of Lefkara, embroideries from Pafos — called “Pafitika” fabric — and fine pottery, woodwork, leather and metal work from many places; all deservedly famous.
Fabrics are used in a large number of different items and come in styles to fit every taste. Many have a story to tell.
Lefkaritica lace, for example, was made well before the Venetians came to prize it as an expression of quality folk art. But even though its roots are in history, Lefkaritica is a living tradition, with new designs in table cloths, curtains, placemats and dresser sets being added continually.
One way or another, if you are looking for items that can be worn, or carried, or placed on the table, the wall or the floor, Cyprus is the place for you.
The history of Cyprus also finds expression in its metal wear made from locally-mined materials. Well before the Bronze age, Cyprus was known for its copper pots, saucepans and planters, all of which make wonderful gifts for the practical-minded recipient, or can adorn your own kitchen at home.
Then there is gold and silver jewelry, much of it faithful reproductions of ancient designs, and often exceptional examples of Cyprus folk art skills.
Pottery making has also a long tradition on Cyprus. Look for the terra cotta ware with white decorations, copied from museum pieces. Beautifully decorated gourds are also available, and make surprisingly useful planters , vases, carafes and scoops.
Basket-weaving is a specialty of the village of Mesoyi, which produces brightly ribboned items that make perfect wall hangings. Footstools, wood carvings, pine dowry chests, small boxes and shelves, all are available — some decorated with, birds, flowers, rosettes, trees and religious symbols. The Cyprus Handicraft Service, is a government-run organization that specializes in craft work It has stores in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaka, and Pafos.
Shopping in Cyprus is a joy, whether you want that memorable rustic souvenir, want to take advantage of certain local bargains such as contact lenses, frames and other optical items, or whether you take the opportunity to look for that special something, a chic item of clothing from the one of the shops in the big cities, for example.
NATURE TRAILS OF THE AKAMAS / POLIS CHRYSOCHOU / LATSI / BATHS OF APHRODITE
The Akamas Peninsula to the north west of Pafos is a unique area, relatively large and unspoilt, with remarkably diverse features in vegetation, wildlife, geology, beautiful landscapes and coasts, and with a rich historical and cultural heritage. There are two nature trails the Aphrodite and the Akamas start from the famous Baths of Aphrodite. The two trails are self guided.
North of Pafos is the little town of Polis, overlooking the beautiful Chrysochou Bay, with its charming fishing village of Latsi where the seaside tavernas serve delicious fresh fish dishes. Nearby you can find the well known Baths of Aphrodite, with their breathtaking view over the bay.
CHRYSOROGIATISSA MONASTERY / PANO PANAGIA
40km northeast of Paphos. The monastery, originally founded in the 12th A.D. century is dedicated to our Lady of Golden Pomegranate. The building dates back to 1770 and has a collection of important icons and treasures. The old winery produces some of the best vintage wine in Cyprus. Near the monastery is the village of Pano Panagia the birthplace of Archbishop Makarios III, first President of Cyprus. The house where he was born has been converted into a museum.
Staying in Pafos, the city of myth and legend, is one of the most inspiring things you can do in Cyprus. The hotels and apartment style accommodations are in many different styles, and cost levels, but they all share something very special: this is the city of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
AGROTOURISM
Another form of accommodation is to stay in an Agrotourism establishment. Agrotourism (village of rural tourism) offers lodging facilities in existing houses with strong traditional character or in very small hotels rigidly preserving the traditional character and the environment of the area. Moreover, the program aims at the preservation of the architectural character of the communities and the revitalization of traditional crafts and skills. Cyprus offers a wide range of attractions to the visitor seeking this alternative holiday, including opportunities for walking-hiking, bird-watching, nature studies such as botany and geology, farming holidays etc. Some of the villages that participated in the agrotourism program are:
- Limassol Region: Arsos, Lofou, Pissouri
- Troodos Region: Kyperounta
- Pafos Region: Pano Arodes, Houlou, Akourdalia, Kathikas, Goudi
- Larnaka Region: Tochni, Kalavassos, Kato Drys
CONFERENCES/INCENTIVES
Cyprus is a popular meetings and conventions destination. Over 30,000 participants are welcomed annually from over 600 international organizations. Many major hotels have conference facilities. And the Cyprus International Conference Centre, in Nicosia, was designed for large-scale meetings and conventions and is one of the largest and best-equipped venues in the eastern Mediterranean.
And you only have to spend one day in Cyprus to realize what a perfect place it is for incentive meetings.
E-mail the Cyprus Tourist Organization at gocyprus@aol.com for a directory of accommodations.
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