[ad_1]
Paphos is a popular Cypriot resort, which has preserved magnificent historical sights. Resting here, you can see the ancient Greek necropolis, Byzantine churches, medieval castles, catacombs and monasteries.
Who and why goes to Paphos
According to legend, Paphos is the birthplace of Aphrodite. Where the ancient Greek goddess emerged from the sea foam, in the 19th century BC. e. built a temple and founded a settlement. During its existence, the city has experienced ups and downs more than once, but has never lost its grandeur and beauty. Tourists come here to see archaeological sites, ancient Greek temples, Byzantine castles and churches.
The modern territory of the city is conditionally divided into two parts. The historical center of Kato Paphos stretches along the coastline. Within its boundaries are architectural monuments, museums, souvenir shops and hotels. Nearby, Pano Paphos rises on a hill, built up with administrative buildings, residential buildings and shops.
Paphos is famous for its beaches, stretching along the old streets. Amaltia Beach, Geroskipou Public Beach, Coral Bay Beach promise excellent holidays. These beaches have a well-maintained swimming area, water attractions, restaurants and bars. For a solitary pastime, it is better to drive off to the suburbs and choose any secluded bay.
Paphos has prepared an impressive cultural program for active people. Travelers go hiking in the surroundings, go scuba diving, rise into the sky in a hot air balloon, ride a yacht. The city has excellent karting with tracks for beginners and professionals, as well as a golf club and stables.
Previously, there were few children’s entertainments in Paphos, but the city is rapidly changing, trying to satisfy all the desires of tourists. Recently, a large open-type water park and an entertainment center for kids have appeared here. Family vacations can be diversified with interesting excursions to historical places, a trip to the Cedar Valley reserve or riding a carousel.
Connoisseurs of Greek cuisine will be delighted with local restaurants. They serve national dishes at a reasonable price. Stewed beef in tomato sauce, chicken baked with taro pieces, grilled sea fish, smoked pork and Levantine cheese have excellent taste.
Historical landmarks
Archaeological park
Not far from the harbor there is an archaeological site of an ancient ancient city. The open-air museum presents the ruins of public buildings, defensive towers and fortress walls. In the central part, fragments of the market square and the houses of wealthy citizens, decorated with Roman mosaics with scenes from the life of the gods, have been preserved.
There are many interesting objects on the territory of the archaeological park: the Byzantine fortress of Saranta Kolones, the temple of Asclepius, the Roman lighthouse, the basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa.
Necropolis
In the center of Paphos there is a necropolis where aristocrats were buried during the entire period of Roman rule. Scientists have established that some tombstones were created in the IV century BC. e. The tombs are carved from rock and decorated with columns, sculptures, frescoes. Stone stairs and paths continue between them.
In the dungeon on the territory of the necropolis, the first Christians used to hide from persecution. Inside the stone labyrinth, crosses and drawings inscribed by them on the walls were preserved.
Catacombs of Saint Solomon
In Paphos there is an unusual religious monument — the catacombs of St. Solomon. The revered woman was a pious woman and was martyred with her family in the 2nd century BC. e. The relics of a fugitive are buried in the catacombs, to which thousands of pilgrims come to fall. Many believe that Solomon gives happiness and heals hopelessly sick people.
After passing through an intricate labyrinth, people find themselves in an underground church filled with candles and ancient icons. In front of the entrance to the cave grows a huge pistachio tree, decorated with colorful ribbons and belts, symbolizing the wishes of believers.
Kouklia
The village of Kouklia near Paphos was built on the site of the mythical appearance of Aphrodite from the sea foam. The ruins of a divine temple remained on a hill near the settlement. A museum has been opened in the excavation area, where you can see the mosaic floor, wall fragments, figurines, and ceramics.
The village is surrounded by olive and orange groves and vineyards. Tourists come to admire the natural beauty of the region, explore historical monuments, and try seafood dishes in a local tavern.
Yeroskipu
On the southwest coast, 3 km from Paphos, you can find the village of Yeroskipou. The settlement, founded in the 1st century BC, was surrounded by sacred gardens in ancient times and was another place of worship for Aphrodite. Today it is a popular tourist center.
The village has a five-domed Byzantine church from the 9th century, several museums and a confectionery factory specializing in the production of Turkish delight. A cozy cafe is open on the main village square — it serves delicious Cypriot wine and strong coffee.
paphos castle
At the edge of the harbor rises a medieval castle. The Ottoman-style structure was built on the site of a sentinel fortress destroyed by an earthquake in 1222.
Today, a square tower framed by powerful walls remains from it. On the first floor there are rooms with high ceilings, which served as a prison under the rule of the Turks, on the second floor there is a garrison mosque. Holidays, historical exhibitions, and concerts are regularly held in the courtyard.
Saranta Kolones Castle
The Byzantine fortress of the 7th century was intended to protect the harbor and the city from enemy raids. In 1200, the Crusaders rebuilt it in the Romanesque style and strengthened the outer walls, but after 22 years the castle was destroyed by an earthquake. The building was never restored.
The picturesque ruins are part of the Paphos Archaeological Park. The fortress walls, parts of the corner towers and barracks for soldiers have been well preserved to this day.
Frankish baths
The baths, built by the Crusaders in the 13th century, are reminiscent of the short reign of the Franks on the island.
In the 15th century, the Turks captured Cyprus, rebuilding the buildings to their liking. Today there are two baths. They attract attention with rough masonry, arched wide windows, domed roofs with small round holes.
Temples and monasteries
Monastery of St. Neophyte the Hermit
The monastery, founded by the monk Neofit in 1159, is an important religious shrine of the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The architectural complex was erected on a mountain 9 km from Paphos. Nearby is a man-made cave in which the Neophyte lived for many years.
The monastery was robbed and damaged more than once, but always quickly restored. Now it is a lively place full of tourists and pilgrims. People come to see the grottoes dug by the Neophyte, the main temple, decorated with multi-colored frescoes and icons, as well as the monastery museum with old printed books and antique ceramics.
Church of Saint Paraskeva
In Yeroskipou there is a church founded in 844 on the ruins of an ancient temple. The building in the classical Byzantine style is a three-aisled basilica with five domes. In the corner rises a square bell tower.
The interior is decorated with frescoes of the 8th-15th centuries, the domes are painted with images of Jesus Christ, apostles and prophets. In the iconostasis of the temple, the icon of the Mother of God Gerokipiotissa of the 15th century is exhibited.
Panagia Chrysopolitissa
The Classical Gothic Catholic Church is built on the foundations of an ancient Byzantine basilica. It is believed that it was in it that the Apostle Paul was beaten with a whip, after which he delivered a famous sermon that converted a Roman official to Christianity.
In the 1970s, excavations were carried out in the area of the church. In the course of the work, they discovered the environment of the ancient Roman forum, fragments of an early Christian basilica and a white column, to which, according to legend, the apostle was tied for execution. The temple of Panagia Chrysopolitissa is considered effective, but religious services are held in it only on major holidays.
Church of Panagia Theoskepasti
The first mention of the Church of Panagia Theoskepasti can be found in the chronicles of 649. The temple, erected on a hill, was destroyed and rebuilt several times, changing its appearance. The last reconstruction took place at the end of the last century.
Today’s building is a vivid example of Byzantine architecture. Attention is attracted by a wide staircase with a carved fence, thin white columns, arched windows, a high bell tower with a cross. The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is kept inside. The miraculous image in a silver robe is set at the bottom of the iconostasis.
Museums in Paphos
Byzantine Museum
In 2017, the collection of the Byzantine Museum was moved from the residence of the Metropolitan of Cyprus to the village of Yeroskipou. The exhibition features the Orthodox Byzantine heritage of Paphos, including icons, frescoes, wood sculptures, crosses, fragments of iconostases, church utensils.
Rare manuscripts, handwritten books, old printed Gospels are exhibited in a separate room. The pearls of the museum are the icon of St. Marina, dating from the 8th century, and the staff of Metropolitan Meletios of Ephesus.
Ethnographical museum
The museum, founded by Professor G. S. Eliades in Yeroskipou, allows you to plunge into the history of Paphos and learn how people lived in Cyprus, from the Neolithic era to the present day. The collection includes ancient pottery, tools, national clothes, leather shoes and musical instruments.
The premises on the first floor are stylized as the dwellings of ordinary peasants. In the large hall there are models of houses, mills, potter’s wheels, looms.
Municipal gallery
A small art gallery in the historical part of Paphos has an extensive collection of paintings by local artists. Works of art are placed in four halls.
Among the exhibits are portraits of city residents, still lifes, landscapes, avant-garde paintings. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to important cultural events in the region.
Art & Shock Gallery
The Gallery of Modern Art is an amazing place. Every member of the family will find something interesting here. Handmade items are displayed in beautiful rooms, which are easy to purchase at an affordable price. Soft toys, dolls, vintage jewelry, marble and wooden figurines, paintings in different genres lined up on the shelves.
natural attractions
bird park
Ornithologist Christos Christopher has been raising exotic birds at home for many years. In the end, his «collection» grew too large, and he decided to move it to a park in the city. The birds liked the new place. Walking along the paths in the shade of trees, you can see Emu ostriches, peacocks, parrots. Swans, ducks, geese live on the pond.
Ponies, kangaroos, macaques, guinea pigs and giraffes live next to birds. The Bird Park shows daily shows with parrots and cats. The green area also has a playground, a café and a gift shop.
Petra tou Romiou
The famous rock of Aphrodite on the sea coast is one of the main attractions of Paphos. Travelers are attracted by the beautiful legend and magnificent scenery.
A small pillar-shaped stone of natural origin rises exactly where the goddess emerged from the water. The sea around the rock is characterized by a strong current, so it is dangerous for swimming. Near the rock of Aphrodite is a tourist resort and a restaurant.
Cave of Agios Agapitikos
The cave in the vicinity of Paphos, covered with legends and legends, is very popular with tourists and locals. Those who suffer from unrequited love come here to pray and receive the favor of a loved one.
Inside the cave is a kind of chapel. Its stone walls are hung with ancient icons, lamps and candles are burning near them. Near the cave of St. Agapitikos, there used to be another depression in the rock. Unfortunately, it collapsed due to soil erosion.
Bath of Aphrodite
On the Akamas peninsula you can see the baths of Aphrodite. It is a small lake under a rock, filled with spring water and surrounded by dense ferns. It is believed that the goddess bathed here and met Adonis.
According to legend, swimming in this reservoir gives beauty and eternal youth. It is difficult to confirm or refute the statement — swimming in the lake is prohibited. Tourists come to draw water from a healing spring, admire the sea and its surroundings.
Lara beach
Akamas has a secluded bay in which Lara Beach is located. Here you can not only take sunbaths and swim in the clear sea, but also watch sea turtles. Huge animals come here to lay their eggs in the sand.
There is a scientific station on the beach. Scientists protect nests from curious people, annoying crabs and study the habits of reptiles. Aquariums with different types of turtles are installed at the station.
Entertainment
Aquapark
The entertainment complex «Aphrodite» in the eastern part of the city is one of the largest water parks in the country. The pools are equipped with children’s and adult slides, high-speed attractions. For kids in shallow water there is a children’s playground with geysers, water cannons, fountains and trampolines.
Cafes, restaurants, fitness centers have been built in the water park. Animators, swimming instructors and photographers work on site.
Embankment
The embankment running through the historical part of the city is a great place for walking. It originates from Paphos Castle and stretches across the harbor to the municipal beach. Palm trees are planted on both sides of the wide cobbled street, and beautiful houses are erected along the road. They have restaurants, souvenir shops, shops.
Meetings and city holidays are held on the embankment. In September, the seashore turns into a large concert venue, where performances and concerts are shown as part of the Aphrodite Festival.
Limassol Zoo
60 km from Paphos in the town of Limassol there is a good zoo. On the tour you can see tigers, bears, giraffes, wolves, monkeys. The animals live in spacious enclosures that mimic their natural habitat.
Playgrounds, recreation rooms, a cafe with a special children’s menu are equipped for children. An educational scientific center has been created at the zoo. He is engaged in research work and organizes exhibitions dedicated to wildlife.
[ad_2]
