Pafos Culture & Archeology

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C Y P R U S

Pafos Chamber of Commerce & Industry Pafos Tourism Committee, P.O.Box 60082, 8100 Pafos, Cyprus, Tel:+357 26935115, Fax:+357 26944602 Email:info@visitpafos.org.cy, Web site:www.visitpafos.org.cy

Culture

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Archaeology

Immerse yourself in the archaeology, history and culture of Pafos and experience at first hand one of the oldest civilisations of the world, famous for the cult of Aphrodite and later for the spread of Christianity.

Pafos was the island’s capital for six centuries. Like an open-air museum, large parts of it have been put on UNESCO’s heritage list.

Pafos For The Culture Lov er cratch the soil anywhere in Cyprus and you will find remnants of the island’s turbulent history, testimony that its strategic position was coveted by every great power. Admire the spectacular scenery at the mythological birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Explore the area’s unique archaeological legacy at Marion or Palaipafos, both ancient city-kingdoms in the Iron Age.

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Once a Roman provincial capital, Pafos played a crucial role in the Empire.

Admire the exquisite floor mosaics of the Roman villas depicting scenes from mythology, arguably the best in the eastern Mediterranean and the impressive underground Tombs of the Kings nearby, carved out of solid rock and decorated with Doric pillars.

In addition to the wealth of outdoor sites, tour the priceless collection of artefacts displayed in the Pafos District Archaeological Museum where you can see objects spanning the history of one of the oldest civilizations in the Mediterranean, including pottery, coins, tombstones and statues.

Ancient temples, rock-cut tombs, Roman villas with elaborate floor mosaics, reflect a highly sophisticated society.

distant outpost of the Byzantine Empire, Cyprus escaped the iconoclastic decrees and Byzantine art survived and flourished here. Marvel at the vivid wall paintings in the apses of medieval churches and especially those in the cave a hermit carved out of the mountain at the monastery of St Neophytos. Chrysorrogiatissa monastery has a collection of important Byzantine icons, some of them believed to work miracles, including one supposedly painted by St Luke. Many important figures influential in the spread of Christianity came from Cyprus, which became known as the ‘island of saints’. It was the first country in the world to come under Christian administration. See the St Paul’s Pillars in Pafos where, legend has it, St Paul was flogged when he visited the island together with St Barnabas, the founder of the Church of Cyprus, in AD 45 before converting the Roman governor.

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Discover some fine Christian architectural masterpieces such as the Agia Paraskevi church at Geroskipou with its rare five-apse plan and admire the ruins of two early Christian basilicas at the church of Agios Georgios in Pegeia with its interesting mosaic floors and rock-hewn Roman tombs overlooking the sea. Visit Agia Solomoni church, originally a Christian catacomb. The sacred tree outside it is believed to cure diseases. Visit the castle in picturesque Pafos harbour. Originally a Byzantine defensive construction, it was rebuilt by the Franks destroyed by the Venetians and rebuilt by the Ottomans.

Land of saints, painted churches, legends and miracle-working icons.

Nowhere else can you see every style of Byzantine art in such a small area.

oday Pafos is a part of the island where you can still feel the magic of the goddess of beauty. Exult in the majestic landscapes and unspoiled coastlines untouched by time around the Akamas coastline.

Explore the countryside inland and notice how elements of Byzantine architecture are reflected in the arches of the traditional stone-built village houses of the Laonas area.

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Discover remote villages where old customs and traditions have been kept alive down the generations. Age-old crafts continue to be made, such as traditional lace-making and basket-weaving, and potters still create anthropomorphic vessels. The grapevine is still cultivated and wine produced in a tradition that goes back 4000 years.Visit the Folk Art museum at Geroskipou for a striking representation of traditional Cypriot life.

Experience the modern version of the rituals connected with the worship of Aphrodite in the ‘Anthestiria’, or spring flower festivals, and ‘Kataklysmos’, the Festival of the Flood, in June when participants plunge into the sea to commemorate the goddess’ emergence from the waves. The Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus still plays an important role in society today, with its emphasis on customs that keep the family unit close-knit. The many saints are all remembered with colourful village celebrations, or ‘panegiria’, in honour of one of their name days held almost on a weekly basis.

A picturesque island where past meets present at every turn, with a strong culture and many traditions handed down through the ages.