Archaeological Park Paphos (Αρχαιoλογικό Πάρκο Πάφου/Paphos Archaeological Park) is one of the most important attractions of Paphos, which is an excavation of objects from several eras, located under open air in the area of Kato Paphos, near the Harbor and.
The complex of the Archaeological Park includes: the ruins of the Castle of Forty Columns, four villas (House of Dionysus, House of Aeon, House of Theseus and House of Orpheus), in which mosaic floors have been preserved, as well as an agora, odeon, asklepion and the most recent construction of the park - a lighthouse. Excavations in the park are still ongoing.
In 1980, the entire area of "Old" Paphos, which includes the archaeological park, was included in the List world heritage UNESCO for its outstanding ancient remains.
Entrance to Paphos Archaeological Park
The central entrance to the complex is located near the Harbor, near the Harbor bus station. Walking along the embankments of Kato Paphos, it is simply impossible to pass by this impressively sized park.
The entire park complex is surrounded by a fence (chain-link mesh); on the north-eastern side there was a hole in the fence, through which you can also enter the park completely free of charge.
Main entrance to the complex
The cash register is also located here. Ticket prices: 4.50 Euro - adult, 2.25 Euro - people over 65 years old. There are toilets near the entrance. Park opening hours: from 08:30 to 19:30, ticket sales until 19:00.
At the entrance you are given a map of the archaeological monuments of Kato Paphos, on which, among other things, the objects of the Archaeological Park are marked.
Time required to visit the park- at least 2 hours, ideally around 3-4 hours.
Objects of the Paphos Archaeological Park
Entering the park, a vast open area opens up before us and a staircase leading up.
After climbing the stairs, you find yourself near the visitor service center. The center sells souvenirs, and you can also watch a documentary about archaeological excavations on the screen.
The paths in the park are mostly covered with small stones; you will need comfortable shoes. There is very little shade in the park, so on a hot sunny day it is better to take a hat and a supply of drinking water with you, wear closed clothing or apply sunscreen liberally to exposed areas of the body. Water in the park is sold only in one place, in vending machines near the house of Dionysus, at a price of 0.50 Euro per bottle. Here you can buy chocolates, chips and other snacks from vending machines. Chocolate bar - 1 Euro, chips, croissants and cookies - 1.50 Euro each.
House of Eon
From info. center, walking through the park, we get to the House of Aion, part of which is located indoors. This was once a fairly large villa, but currently only three rooms have been excavated.
In the building you can see the central part of the house, which apparently served as a kind of dining-living room. In this place, the mosaic floor is made in the form of drawings with scenes from ancient legends and tales.
It is the floor from the House of Aeon that is considered one of the most exceptional works of ancient Roman art, if not the only work of its kind in Paphos. This house dates back to approximately the mid-4th century AD. and is named after the god shown in the middle of the mosaic - "House of Aeon".
The two smaller rooms had geometric mosaics with simpler patterns.
Also in the house of Eon is part of the restored wall of the villa.
House of Theseus
Near the House of Aeon there are the remains of the House of Theseus - the largest of the houses in the Archaeological Park.
The House of Theseus was built in the second half of the 2nd century over the ruins of earlier houses and was used until the 7th century.
Apparently, this villa was once the residence of the Roman proconsul. In the center of the building there was a courtyard, on four sides of which there were rooms, some of which were intended for official functions, and others for private use and auxiliary visits.
So far, only the southern half of the villa has been fully excavated, where remains of walls and columns, as well as mosaics, can be seen.
The most striking part of Theseus's house are the remains of the so-called 36th room, on the floor of which you can see floor mosaics, presumably from the 3rd-4th centuries. It was thanks to the drawings of this mosaic, depicting Theseus and the Minotaur, that the villa received its name - “House of Theseus”.
Remains of the mosaic of room No. 40
Part of the mosaic of room No. 76
House of Orpheus
The ruins of the house of Theseus are bordered by the ruins of the house of Orpheus.
The House of Orpheus dates back to the 2nd-3rd centuries. This is, perhaps, today the most inconspicuous of the houses in the park, since only small sections of the remains of walls and stones can be seen in the house.
As sources “say”, in the House of Orpheus there are mosaics from the third century AD that have three mythological representations: “Orpheus and his Lyre”, “Hercules and the Lion Nemean” and “Amazon”, but they are not currently visible to the public.
House of Dionysus
From the house of Orpheus we walk along the paths and come out onto the alley leading to the house of Dionysus.
In a small stone building, to the right of the closed part of the house of Dionysus, there are vending machines selling drinks and snacks.
Part of the remains of the House of Dionysos is in the open air, while the other and most valuable, the one with the most mosaics, is closed to the public. The house is believed to have been built in the late 2nd century and was destroyed and abandoned after the earthquakes of the 4th century AD.
In the indoor area of the House of Dionysus one can see mosaic floors, presumably from the 2nd-3rd centuries, decorated with mythological, vintage and hunting scenes. The house is named after the god Dionysus, who is depicted in several mosaics.
Photo of the remains of the house of Dionysus, located in the open air
Paphos Lighthouse
Moving north from the house of Dionysus, we come to the most recent and restored attraction of the park - the Paphos lighthouse.
Near the lighthouse there is a small observation deck with views of the Mediterranean Sea, the lighthouse of the same name and the surrounding area.
Odeon and Asklepion
Near the lighthouse, a little to the east, there are the remains of the Odeon - a second-century amphitheater, next to which there are also the remains of the Temple of Asklepios (Asklepion) - essentially a former medical hospital.
Agora
Opposite the odeon and asclepius, there is a deserted area with some remains - this, apparently, central part The Agora or Forum of Nea Paphos is a large town square, rectangular in shape and paved with stone slabs.
The area of the Paphos Archaeological Park behind the lighthouse
Behind the lighthouse, to the north of it, there is a vast area of the park, where excavations are underway and the remains of an underground complex and an early Christian basilica are located. Unfortunately, the ruins behind the lighthouse have no identification marks and it is very difficult to understand what they are.
Castle of Forty Columns
From the ruins of the northern part of the park we make our way to the last of the objects - the ruined Castle of Forty Columns.
Saranta Colones Castle or Castle Saranta Colones is believed to have been erected in the late 7th century as a Byzantine fort to protect the port and town of Nea Paphos from Arab raids, and then, after the Frankish conquest of Cyprus, somewhere in In the 1200s it was rebuilt as a Lusignan castle, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1223 and was never rebuilt.
The building was a compact fortress surrounded by a massive outer solid wall with eight towers and a moat surrounding the castle. Access to the castle was possible through a wooden bridge that ran over the moat.
The name of the castle "Forty Columns" comes from the large number of granite columns that were found in this place, they were probably once part of the ancient agora.
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Paphos consists of two parts: the upper and lower town. The lower town, or Kato Paphos as it is called, is located along the coast and all the main attractions are concentrated here. This part of the city is tourist area. Tourists roam here day and night, cafes, bars and restaurants operate here. There are souvenir shops, stalls with cigarettes, ice cream and all other tourist stuff everywhere. Lower Paphos is noisy, multifaceted and colorful.
New Paphos is a modern urban center and its other name is Pano Paphos. It is not as noisy and fussy as the one below. Most of the shops, banks and administrative buildings of Paphos are located in this part of the city. But there are also many interesting sights that you can explore on your own, without excursions - streets and buildings, both ancient and modern. Let's take a walk in both parts of the city of Paphos and enjoy its spirit, history, architecture. The guide will consist of two parts; the map will help you navigate yourself. So let's start the walk.
Kato Paphos. Walking around the sights
Kato Paphos. Temple of Agia Kyriaki
We will begin our independent sightseeing of Kato Paphos with the Temple of Agia Kyriaki. It is located at the intersection of the streets of St. Kyriakis (od. Agias Kyriakis) with the street of Aphrodite (od. Pafias Afroditis). This is the oldest Christian basilica in Cyprus. In the first centuries AD, this place was Cathedral Pathos. During excavations of the basilica, archaeologists found fragments of columns and slabs covered with colored stone mosaics. In the 18th century, the Lisignan era, the basilica was erected in the northeastern part Catholic Church St. Paul's. Two centuries later, a Franciscan monastery was built next to it.
Neither the church nor the monastery have survived to this day. Now in Paphos only a few medieval tombstones remain from them. For example, the Danish King Eric (1905-1103) rests here. He once went to Palestine, but died on the way in Paphos. Orthodox Church Saint Kyriaki, which you see now, appeared on the site of a monastery in the Middle Ages. There are many beautiful icons in the church, the icon is especially revered Holy Mother of God. Nearby there is a low column made of gray marble. This is St. Paul's Column. According to legend, the proconsul Paul Sergius chained the Apostle Paul to this column and ordered him to be flogged, and after that he convinced him to accept Christianity.
Church of Panagia Theoskepasti and Basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa
Walk a little to the southeast and you can see another attraction of Cyprus and Kato Paphos - Theoskepasti Church. Another name for it is the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God. It stands on a small hill. This is a new church, built in 1923. It was built on the site of a medieval church that burned down in a fire.
Then return again to Apostolou Pavlou Avenue and cross to the other side of the road, to Nicolaou Nikolaou Street. Walk down to the harbor along this street. Very close to the harbor, behind the restaurants, you can see the ruins of the ancient basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa, which means “Patroness of the Harbor”. This basilica was built in the 5th century AD and was considered the most beautiful in Paphos. Once upon a time, the floors of its beautiful halls were completely covered with mosaics, and there were rows of marble columns. Unfortunately, an earthquake in 1159 destroyed the basilica, and we can only see the ruins.
Catacombs of Saint Solomonia in Paphos
Kato Paphos has many catacombs that were created as a result of quarrying. Houses and temples were built from rocks, and burials were made in the depressions formed in the rocks. The Catacombs of Saint Solomonia are located at the intersection of Apostle Paul Avenue and Plutarch Street (od. Ploutarhou). The unique Church of St. Solomonia (Agia Solomoni) has been preserved in the catacombs.
You can easily find the entrance to the catacombs on your own using a small tree. It is over 500 years old. Cypriots believe that if you leave an offering on its branches and make a wish, it will definitely come true. Here is a tree hung with shreds, rags, ropes and bells. The catacombs themselves are several halls around an open area. Steep steps lead to the underground halls. The catacombs are not at all gloomy, as sunlight penetrates through the holes in the rock. In the catacombs there flows a spring with the purest water. Residents of Paphos believe that this water helps with eye diseases.
Catacombs of Saint Lambrianos
From the catacombs of Agios Solomonia you need to turn right onto Apostle Paul Avenue and walk up from the sea, about 10 minutes. And there you can independently explore the next attraction of Paphos - the catacombs of Agios Lambrianos. They consist of several huge halls, on the walls of which in some places you can see half-erased frescoes. The catacombs contain underground tombs from the Ptolemaic era. Entrance to the catacombs of Agios Solomonia and Agios Lambrianos is free. There are also small and very gloomy catacombs near the northwestern gate of Paphos.
Attractions of the Paphos Archaeological Park
In the western part of Kato Paphos is Neo Paphos. It was once ancient capital Paphos, founded in the 4th century BC. At that time, Cyprus was ruled by the Ptolemies, Greco-Roman rulers. The city flourished for 7 centuries. In 58 BC. AD the city was surrendered to the Romans. Under Roman rule the city continued to remain cultural capital. In the 3rd AD, luxurious villas were built, the floors of which were decorated with mosaics. But an earthquake in the 4th century AD destroyed most of the buildings, and the city fell into decay.
Today's sites in the Archaeological Park were built before the earthquake and most of the buildings we see today date back to the Roman period. The entrance to the Archaeological Park is located from the west of the port car park. To get to the excavations on your own, you need to climb the wide stone steps. Let's take a walk through these historical sights.
And there is something to see here.
Interesting too
In Paphos, five villas of the 2nd-3rd centuries AD were discovered during excavations. The discovery happened by accident. In 1962, a farmer was plowing land near the port, and a tractor plow suddenly hit a stone panel. This was the unique mosaic floor of the building. The buildings themselves, unfortunately, have not survived. The mosaics depict ancient heroes. Scientists named the villas by their names: “Dionysus”, “Theseus”, “House of Orpheus”, “House of Aeon”. The most beautiful mosaics in the “Villa of Dionysus”. They tell different stories, and most of course are about love. In 1977, archaeologists discovered another image under the top layer of the mosaic of the Villa of Dionysus - Scylla. Today it is the oldest mosaic in Cyprus and the most beautiful landmark of Kato Paphos.
Mosaics in Paphos Archaeological Park
The first mosaic you will see upon entering the Villa of Dionysus in Paphos Archaeological Park is Scylla. In Hall No. 2 you can see a mosaic telling the story of Narcissus. Narcissus was so beautiful that he spent days admiring his reflection in the lake. For this, the gods turned him into a yellow flower growing near the water. In room No. 3 the mosaic is called “Seasons”. On the mosaic, spring, summer and autumn are depicted as beautiful women, and winter is depicted as a gray-haired old man, reminiscent of our Santa Claus. The most original mosaic in room No. 6 is “Phaedra and Hippolytus”. The mosaic tells the story of tragic story the love of a stepmother for her adopted son.
A very beautiful attraction is located in room No. 8 - this is the mosaic “The Rape of Ganymede”. This is the mythical story of the young shepherd Ganymede. He was so beautiful and pure of soul that even the gods could not resist his charm. Zeus turned into an eagle, kidnapped the young man and took him to Olympus, where he became the cupbearer of the gods. In the eastern part of the villa there is a mosaic depicting the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe. It served as the basis for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
It can be useful
Next to the “Villa of Dionysus” are the ruins of the “Villa of Theseus”. It was built in the 2nd century AD. It was once a huge palace with an area of 9,600 m² and an area of mosaics of 1,400 m². The most interesting mosaic is in room No. 36 with the image of Theseus defeating the Minotaur. Next, another attraction is a mosaic dedicated to the mythical hero Achilles.
In room No. 76 there is a magnificent mosaic depicting the great god of the seas, Poseidon. Next to the Villa of Theseus is the Villa of Aeon. It is named after the image of a pagan god found at this place. This villa has mosaics from the 4th century AD. All mosaics are colored and skillfully executed. It feels like they are not stone, but watercolor. You will be able to discern the shine of the eyes of the characters in the mosaics, the skillfully created play of light and shadow.
The Archaeological Museum ticket kiosk sells a guide to the Paphos mosaics in English. Price 5 €. A careful independent inspection of the mosaics will take approximately 2 hours.
Odeon Theater and the Forty Columns Castle
The next attraction is located near the “Villa of Dionysus”. This is a semicircular Roman theater, the Odeon, built in the Hellenic era. This is the most romantic place in the Archaeological Park, which is definitely worth exploring. If you climb its white steps, you will see vast expanses Mediterranean Sea. In summer, music concerts and performances take place here. Next to the Odeon are the ruins of Asklepion. This is a small temple built in honor of the god of healing, Asclepius.
To the east of the “Villa of Dionysus” there is a very colorful attraction of Kato Paphos - the ruins of the castle “Forty Columns” (Saranta Kolones). 
The fortress was built by the Byzantines in the 7th century. There were once 40 columns at its base. Now there are many granite columns scattered picturesquely on the field near the ruins. In 1192, Richard the Lionheart captured the fortress. For half a century, the crusaders completed its construction and strengthened it. But their efforts were in vain. An earthquake in 1222 completely destroyed the castle, leaving only two graceful stone arches and underground structures.
- The archaeological park is open: 8.00-19.30.
- Ticket price: 3.5 €.
Kato Paphos. Royal Tombs
2 kilometers north of Kato Paphos there is a large burial complex carved into the rock. This dark excursion to the “Tombs of the Kings” will be remembered for a long time. Half-erased stone steps lead from the surface of the rock to the tombs. You find yourself in an open courtyard, with empty burial chambers on four sides. The vaults support dilapidated columns. This is the only example of funerary architecture in Cyprus. Such tombs are more typical of Egypt. During the Ptolemaic era, this necropolis was the burial place of noble citizens; kings were not buried here. And the necropolis got its name because of its similarity with royal burials in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. All the tombs were plundered in ancient times. Most of the burials date back to the 1st-3rd centuries AD.
- Opening hours: May-September: 8.30-19.30; October-April: 8.30-17.00.
- Ticket price is about 2 €.
Fort (Fortress) Paphos
Walk from the entrance to the Paphos Archaeological Park down Apostle Paul Avenue towards the harbour. At this point the avenue turns into a pedestrian sidewalk. You will see a small ancient Fort. To get to the fortress yourself you need to cross the moat on a stone bridge. Back in the 7th century, the Byzantines built a fortress on this site for protection from the sea. In 1192 it was captured by Richard the Lionheart. In 1222, an earthquake turned the fortress into ruins.
In 1391, the Lusignans again erected a fort on this site, which was also destroyed during the war with the Turks. And that part of the fortress that we see now was built at the end of the 16th century on the ruins of former buildings. The ruins of the very first fortress can be seen at the very end of the western cape of Kato Paphos harbour. Climb the spiral staircase to the top platform of the fortress wall and a magnificent panorama of Paphos and the harbor will open before you. There is a lot to see and spectacular pictures to take.
- Opening hours: May-September: 9.00-18.00; October-April: 9.00-17.00.
- Ticket price: about 2 €.
Have a fun walk! And in the next part of the guide we will take a walk around.
Paphos Archaeological Park (Paphos, Cyprus): detailed description, address and photo. Opportunities for sports and recreation, infrastructure, cafes and restaurants in the park. Reviews from tourists.
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Kato Paphos is the coastal area of Paphos, its historical part, where the most attractions are collected. This is a real open-air museum, in which ancient temples, villas, ruins of a fortress and others coexist. architectural monuments, many of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The buildings of this ancient quarter come from different eras and cultures, starting from the 2nd century BC. e. and until the Middle Ages, among them there are representatives of the ancient empires of Rome, Greece, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire. Ancient Roman villas from the 3rd to 5th centuries BC. e. with mosaic floors take pride of place in the rich collection of architectural monuments of ancient Paphos.
History of discovery
As a rule, discoveries of ancient structures occur during construction or cultivation of land. The discovery of the treasures of Kato Paphos also happened thanks to the luck of a simple farmer. A local farmer, while plowing his field near the city harbor, found a fragment of an old mosaic, which turned out to be a decoration of the floor covering of an ancient Roman villa. Hundreds of archaeologists immediately rushed here, and soon they dug up a whole ancient city with streets, houses, temples, bridges, a market, a theater and other buildings surrounded by a fortress wall. Although work is still ongoing, the sites of the historical complex are open to tourists.
Ancient Odeon
Villas
The most valuable part of this architectural collection are the ruins of villas from the 3rd to 5th centuries AD. e. These rich houses were named after the gods and heroes of Ancient Rome (Dionysus, Hercules, Aeon and Theseus) and preserved their mosaic images with scenes from ancient legends. Individual mosaics are assembled from very small elements, which makes them very voluminous and realistic. Local guides fill the tour with ancient Greek and Roman legends, temporarily reviving the images of their characters.
The oldest in this city-museum is the Villa of Dionysus, built in the 4th century BC. e. even before the Romans came to Cyprus. There are many recognizable characters on the floor mosaics: the monster Scylla, described by Homer in the Odyssey, the handsome Narcissus admiring his reflection in the water, the 4 seasons and other heroes and deities.
The villa where the Roman proconsul Theseus supposedly lived looks like it came straight out of a postcard - several dilapidated columns rise against the blue sky.
The mosaic on the floor of the house tells about the battle of the ancient Greek hero Theseus with the half-bull Minotaur, which took place in a labyrinth, from which the hero was later able to get out with the help of his beloved, Ariadne.
Buildings of the ancient city
Nearby are the ruins of several major ancient structures. The once majestic castle-fortress of Saranda Kolones was built by the Byzantines in the 7th century on 40 basalt columns, which is why it was named so. In the 12th century, the fortress was captured by the crusaders, but then it was not damaged. It was destroyed by an earthquake that hit the city in the 13th century, after which only the arches and part of the basement remained from the building.
Next to the Agora market square is the ancient Odeon amphitheater. Built in the 3rd century AD. e., it was covered, but over time the upper part of the building collapsed. Now the temple of art has been partially restored, and it hosts open-air concerts and performances.
The Paphos lighthouse is much younger than its neighbors - it was built in 1888 by the British and is considered the most famous operating lighthouse in Cyprus. Its spotlight rises above the sea at a height of more than 30 m, and with observation deck the surroundings are clearly visible.
Kato Paphos takes several hours to explore, so it is best to plan it in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day. A wide-brimmed hat, closed shoes and a supply of water will help you feel comfortable during such a long hike.
Upon entering the territory of the archaeological park, you are given a map on which all interesting objects. In the pavilion you can watch a historical documentary film about the progress of archaeological work, and then go on a photo hunt for treasures of the ancient world.
Practical information
Address: Paphos, Paphos Archaeological Park. GPS coordinates: 34.756453,32.4072714. Web site .
Opening hours: daily from 8:00 to 17:00 (November-March), from 8:00 to 18:00 (April-May, September-October), 8:00-19:30 (June-August). The cost of a ticket to the museum is 4.5 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
No one can say how many secrets are hidden under the soil and sand deposited over centuries. Usually discoveries and discoveries are made by accident. This is how a farmer in Cyprus came across a mosaic panel while plowing the land. This happened in 1962 near Paphos harbor. Thanks to this discovery and subsequent excavations, the Paphos Archaeological Park appeared in Cyprus.
What do the excavations tell us?
It is not surprising that the excavations that began at the site of the found mosaic gradually revealed, layer by layer, new, interesting traces of civilizations that once lived on this island. The history of Cyprus is very interesting. It was once owned by the Greeks and Romans. Then history speaks of Paphos belonging to the Byzantine and then the Ottoman empires. Great Britain also owned the island. Excavations continue to this day. During the construction of objects, there is always some artifact from ancient buildings.
The discovered ancient mosaic attracted the attention of many scientists and archaeologists. For 20 years, archaeological expeditions from different countries They collected bit by bit a unique coating, made, as it turned out, in the richest villas of the 2nd - 3rd centuries AD. It is striking that the mosaic has not lost its flavor. In addition to mosaics and ancient buildings, temples, city walls, a bridge, basilicas, and stone streets were literally “dug” out of the soil.
Archaeological Park
Everything found during the excavations is a large single complex, which is called the Paphos Archaeological Park. Since 1980, the park has become a world-class park. cultural heritage and is under the protection of UNESCO. The valuable mosaics discovered first are in the so-called villas of Dionysus, Aeon, Theseus and Orpheus. Tourists can visit them.
The villas were named after the heroes of Greek mythology depicted on the mosaic fields; of course, no one knows the names of the real owners of the villas. Of interest are the amphitheater, well preserved in the layers of soil, and the ruins of the Forty Columns castle, which served as a fortress. The forum, the temple of the healing god Asclepius and the basilica are open to the public.
Tours of the park
The historical complex is open to tourists all year round. The entrance fee is about 4-5 euros. Sites where excavations are still underway are closed to the public. There are people who like to wander around the park without a group, sit on the steps of the amphitheater, and imagine what happened here many millennia ago. And there is more time to look at the relics and take photographs. It usually takes at least four hours to visit the park.
For organized groups of tourists, excursions are conducted with a guide, who, while leading the group through the streets of this archaeological site, tells historical facts and myths associated with one or another artifact of the park. Tours start from the ruins of four villas, which are the most valuable in the Paphos Archaeological Park, and date back to approximately the 3rd - 5th centuries AD. e. The mosaics, assembled from small elements, found during excavations of these villas preserved images of the gods and heroes of Greece and Ancient Rome.
Villa of Dionysus
As a result of excavations, archaeologists were presented with a picture of a dwelling with destroyed walls, but a well-preserved mosaic floor covering. It was assumed that the Villa of Dionysus, located in the archaeological museum, occupied an area of about 500 square meters. meters and had forty rooms. It later turned out that this villa was built on the foundations of an even more ancient dwelling, which also had floor mosaics. The building dates back to the 2nd century AD. e. Unfortunately, the Villa of Dionysus and other buildings in Paphos were destroyed by an earthquake that occurred in the 4th century.
Mosaic floor technology
You should pay attention to mosaics, created initially from simple stone with a simple geometric pattern in a three-color scheme: black, brown, white. Then the mosaics became more complex. The technology for making mosaic floors has changed. They were laid out using a special technology on stones with lime. On this “pillow” were placed patterns and paintings made from the smallest pebbles, special glass and marble chips, which were brought to Cyprus. It was a very expensive product. Only very rich people could afford the luxury of a mosaic floor.
Immediately at the entrance to the home, the floor is decorated with one of the ancient mosaics of Cyprus. It depicts Scylla, described in Homer's poem "The Odyssey". There is a pair of dolphins nearby. Geometric pattern in three colors. By the way, the mosaic was discovered by accident when they began to erect a canopy over the main exhibits found by that time.
In the back of the dwelling of the Paphos Archaeological Park there are later mosaic floors. Here is a different approach to the color scheme of the mosaics being laid out. On one of the mosaics there is an image of Narcissus, framed by laid out drawings of the seasons and seasons. Mosaics of hunting scenes, images of animals, and bunches of grapes appear before visitors in the form of carpets. Mosaics on the themes of love stories were very accurately conveyed by artists of those times.
Villa of Theseus
From mythology we are familiar with the feat of Theseus, who defeated the Minotaur in the labyrinth. The villa named after him is a huge building. During the earthquake it did not survive, but was rebuilt. However, the villa was destroyed by the Arabs in the 7th century.
In mosaics made before the earthquake, Roman technologies for making mosaic floors are visible. One of the mosaics in the archaeological park depicts a scene in which Theseus fights the Minotaur. The mosaic dates back to the 3rd century AD. e.
Around this mosaic, the guides tell a touching story about not forgetting your promises. And Theseus, having killed the Minotaur, forgot to change the sails on his ship to white ones, thereby announcing his victory to his father. He sailed home under black sails. And when Theseus’ father Aegeus saw the black sails, he realized that his son had died and his father had thrown himself off a cliff into the sea, taking his own life. According to this legend, the sea is named Aegean - Aegean.
House of Orpheus
Even before the excavations began, these ruins of Paphos were already known. Many artifacts have sunk into oblivion, and some of the stone ruins were used to build houses, since in those years no one thought about historical value these ruins. The outlines of several rooms have been preserved. Those mosaics that were on the floors date back to the 2nd century AD. e. The drawings are geometric and from the ancient Greek inscriptions on the mosaic it was possible to understand that this house belonged to the Roman subject Titus Gaius Restitutus. However, the house is named, like the previous ones, after the main image on the mosaic. It was Orpheus playing the lyre surrounded by forest animals.
Villa Eona
On the other side of the street there is an equally interesting dwelling located in a sheltered room, the excavations of which are still ongoing. But even what is open to view speaks of his wealth. On the destroyed remains of the walls, visible unique frescoes. The floors are covered with mosaics. But what is most striking is the covering of the central part of the home. It depicts the god of justice Eon.
This filigree work is made from tiny pieces of glass, granite and pebbles. It conveys volume in the depiction of faces on mosaic canvases. Other mosaics depict mythological scenes about Cassiopeia, Apollo and Zeus. The mosaics date back to the 4th century AD. e. It is expected that ongoing excavations will also reveal mosaic floors and wall frescoes.
Castle of Forty Columns
The majestic castle of Saranta Kolones was built by the Byzantines in the 7th century on forty basalt columns as a defensive structure. It was destined to be built and destroyed, reborn and destroyed again.
When the crusaders captured the fortress in 1191, King Richard the Lionheart not only rebuilt the castle, but also created a good defensive complex around it. The devastating earthquake of 1222 destroyed this fortress. Visitors can see among the ruins of the once existing castle of Saranta Kolones, broken walls, ruins of buildings and an arch from the gate leading to the castle.
Other park facilities
Agora or market square, made of stone slabs in the form of a rectangle. Its construction dates back to the 2nd century AD. e. Like any square in the city, this one in Paphos was a meeting and trading place for the townspeople. It was destroyed, like all buildings, as a result of an earthquake in the 4th century. The amphitheater was also destroyed during the earthquake. But it was restored: literally made from stone blocks found during excavations, belonging to the rows of the amphitheater. The open-air amphitheater is currently operating. Of the 25 rows that once existed, 11 have been repaired and restored. Here, according to the stories of the guides, performances of ancient Greek tragedies are staged.
The Temple of Asclepius is interesting for visitors. This is a complex of several buildings built in the 2nd century BC. e. These buildings were used to heal people. And the main building of Asklepion is a prototype of modern hospitals. A steep slope leading to the sea, all in stone caves. Once upon a time, stone was taken from them for construction.
And this is also Pathos
What else should tourists see in this historical city with centuries-old history? There is a large ethnographic museum here with a variety of collections, founded by a man who was interested in folk art, history, and archeology - Eliades George. The museum exhibits exhibits ranging from the Neolithic to the present day. It can rightfully be called one of the archaeological museums of Cyprus.
One of the attractions of Paphos is the Byzantine Museum. Bishop Chrysostomos initiated its creation. The museum's exposition includes icons from the 7th-8th centuries; there are also icons painted in the 12th-14th centuries. All icons are in good condition. The museum displays the ceremonial robes of priests. A large collection of church books is also on display in this museum.
There is a lot to see in Paphos outside the museums. These are burial grounds from the 4th century BC located near the Paphos harbor. e. and until the 3rd century AD. e. There are more than 100 burials in the crypts carved into the rock. There are also burials - in which many interesting artifacts were found. And this is, first of all, evidence of the life and way of life of the people who lived here.
To see all these attractions, you can purchase a tourist voucher and fly Moscow - Paphos to international Airport Pathos. By the way, if you are drawn to Cyprus to wander through the ruins of ancient cities, it is better to go to the homeland of Aphrodite from November to April. Firstly, it’s not hot, and secondly, you will actually enjoy the nature of these fabulous places, and not swelter from the heat. Airplane tickets Moscow - Paphos are almost always available.
The first attraction of Paphos is a huge archaeological zone on a wide cape jutting into the sea. In such a convenient place, surrounded on three sides by the sea, next to a convenient bay, a city could not help but arise.
Archaeological zone of Paphos on the map
The archaeological zone is fenced with a chain-link mesh. There are two entrances to the territory and several exits around the perimeter (in the form of a one-way turntable). The main entrance to the archaeological park is located near the harbor, behind the parking lot. If you are standing at the Harbor city bus station, then you need to cross the parking lot and walk along the fence towards the sea.
Ticket costs 4-50. The archaeological park is open 7 days a week (we visited on Monday) until 17:00 (in summer - until 19-30).
Entrance to the archaeological park
The zone is huge. Monuments from various eras are scattered on its territory. Conglomerate of times: Ancient Greece, Rome, Byzantium, the Middle Ages, the Ottoman Empire - every civilization left its mark on this piece of land. Much still remains underground and awaits archaeological researchers.
We spent three hours in the archaeological park. Be sure to take a plan when purchasing your ticket, because some sites without a plan can be missed. A large field overgrown with grass spreads out before your eyes, and only a couple of meters away you can, for example, see the descent into an early Christian church or catacombs.
Roman villas with mosaics
The most valuable exhibits of the museum are four Roman villas from the 3rd to 5th centuries. AD All that remains of the villas themselves are foundations, fragments of walls, columns, remains of baths, fountains and - most importantly - mosaic floors. It is thanks to these unique mosaics that ancient Paphos is included in the UNESCO list. And the villas themselves received their names from the characters depicted in the mosaics: the villas of Aeon, Theseus, Orpheus and Dionysus.
The villas of Aeon, Theseus, and Orpheus are located together, one after the other, and the villa of Dionysus stands apart.
Immediately after the entrance to the archaeological zone, the road forks: straight and to the right. Go straight to the sea, and this path will lead you to Villa Eona.
Villa Eona
It was excavated by Polish archaeologists from the University of Warsaw, and what we see now is only a small part of the luxurious ancient villa. This hall was called the Reception Hall.
Mosaic panel with geometric pattern
A pavilion was built around her priceless mosaics. In one section there are mosaics with geometric patterns,
in another section, six scenes are depicted with great skill, from small mosaics, with elaboration of details and shadows.
On the left is the triumphal procession of Dionysus. On the right is a musical competition between Marsyas and Apollo.
Queen of Sparta Leda and Zeus
The walls of the villa were covered with frescoes depicting Apollo and the Muses. Some of them are on display in the Paphos Museum.
Next - Villa of Theseus. There are walkways over the remains of the villa.
Villa of Theseus
Right under the open sky lies a magnificent mosaic depicting the battle of Theseus with the Minotaur.
In the center are the characters in this story: Theseus, who grabbed the Minotaur by the horn, and Ariadne is a little to the side. Around the medallion there is a labyrinth of the Minotaur.
Remains of the fountain
A ribbon of mosaic floors stretches into the distance. Imagine the size of the villa.
And this is presumably the central hall of Theseus’s villa with a fresco depicting the preparation of the newborn Achilles for his first bath. His mother, the goddess Thetis, dipped the child into the waters of the Styx to make him immortal. Only the heel, by which the child was held during bathing, remained vulnerable.
located near the sea. Its largest surviving mosaic depicts Orpheus playing the lyre, surrounded by animals. Another panel depicts Hercules in combat with the Nemean lion, which is why the villa is sometimes called the Villa of Hercules.
Columns from Orpheus's villa have even been preserved
It feels like the winds here are serious.
Plants unknown to me:
And we are heading to villa of Dionysus– a large covered building containing a large fragment of well-preserved mosaic floors.
There are walkways over the mosaics.
In addition to descriptions in Greek and English languages There are signs for the blind in Braille. To be honest, we were surprised.
Description of mosaics for the blind
Along the perimeter of the villa there is a ribbon with hunting scenes.
The interior space of the villa is occupied by drawings with plots and geometric patterns.
Amazing variety of patterns and inclusions. In the picture below we even found a traffic light.
Some of the mosaics on the territory of the archaeological park are covered with film and sprinkled with sand.
We decided that it was planned to build a canopy or pavilion over them.
These sprinkled mosaics were guarded by an attentive mustachioed guard:
Castle of the Forty Columns (Saranda Kolones)
From the Villa of Dionysus we went to the Castle of the Forty Columns, or Saranta Colones. It is a square, massive structure with double walls, surrounded by a moat.
The outer fortress had 8 towers. Behind the wall there was a courtyard and the castle itself, already with 4 towers. The design is reminiscent of (the so-called “Donjon”) in the Norman Caen.
In both cases, little remains of the castles. Paphos Castle Forty Columns was originally built by the Byzantines. The Arabs captured it and destroyed it. Subsequently, it was restored and strengthened several times, but after the devastating earthquake of 1222 they gave up and built a port fortress on a narrow cape enclosing the bay.
Among the ruins of the castle, gray granite columns stand out - it is because of them that the Byzantine castle received the name Forty Columns. These sturdy, representative columns were presumably borrowed from the agora.
Granite columns
Agora and Odeon
Meanwhile, we are moving closer to the agora - the former shopping center ancient Paphos.
The Agora is an absolute square and, apart from clearly traceable outlines, nothing has been preserved here. Use your imagination and imagine retail space with benches around the perimeter. We fill the square with ancient Greeks, and in the center, say, we put a fountain.
Agora, Odeon and lighthouse
Immediately behind the agora a steep slope rises. It would be a shame not to use it as an amphitheater. True, the theater turned out to be quite small, in other words – the Maly Theater, or Odeon. It has been renovated and is used for concerts.
Behind the Odeon you can see the youngest, but most noticeable structure of the archaeological park - the Paphos Lighthouse. The lighthouse was installed by the British in 1888. From any place in the park, the lighthouse attracts the eye and serves as a landmark.
View from the lighthouse towards the sea
View from the lighthouse towards the city
Quarries and basilicas
And we walk along the sea and discover that the grassy slope ends in a rocky wall towards the sea. The rocks are dotted with caves, and, apparently, were used both for stone mining and as temporary dwellings.
Blooming cyclomena
Quarries
