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This south-west corner of Cyprus has an ambience all of its own: soft breezes, old stone, elusive enchantment and an air of antiquity. This is the kingdom of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and her presence seems to linger. Paphos itself is really two towns, each with its own character; Ktima on the cliff and Kato Paphos by the sea, two kilometres down the road. The one is unchanged over centuries and thoroughly Cypriot while the other has expanded over the last twenty years from a sleepy fishing village and harbour into a bustling, busy, sprawling cosmopolitan resort which is still growing and is the centre for the island’s overseas property boom. Roman Paphos was the island’s capital, and the 3rd century mosaics here are the finest in the Mediterranean.
The atmosphere is funloving and friendly, with plenty of bars, pubs, discos, nightclubs and innumerable eating places providing anything from choice Italian cuisine to sizzling souvlaki off the spit. Swimming in the bay’s deep, clear waters is good. The coastline to the north is peppered with small sandy coves but the area’s best beach is a 15 minute drive away at Coral Bay. Paphos is the main resort centre from which to explore this region of wild coastline, unspoilt hillside villages and natural beauty. It takes less than an hour by car to reach Limassol.
Even for those of our clients who have been to Cyprus many times there are always excursions that will add to the appreciation of what the island has to offer.
Our representatives will be able to book these for you locally. Some are only available in particular villages where an old lady will demonstrate how to make ‘Halloumi’, the traditional Cyprus cheese or ‘Soujouko’ a mixture of almonds and walnuts covered with layers of crystallised grape juice.
There are coach excursions from both the Paphos and Limassol areas to the mountain villages and monasteries and also to the interesting village of Lefkara and the much underrated capital Nicosia. Those who know Cyprus well will tell youthat it is the very heavily forested mountains and their villages which give the true flavour of the island. Cyprus has one of the most respected forestry departments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Many of our clients hire a car and explore the island on their own, but sometimes it is interesting to have a guide take you through the history and places which have created the modern Cyprus.
There are also some excursions by Landrover organised by very environmentally conscious operators that will take you to mountain areas and river valleys that cannot easily be reached by normal excursions. These, often geologically themed, trips are extremely interesting and will show a side of the island than no amount of individual exploring can provide.
The path you travel from Limassol to Paphos you will undoubtedly pass cars that have pulled over, once simply balancing on a precipice, now in purposely built lay-bys while their occupants peer at a rock. The sea at Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock) has been regarded, since ancient times, to be the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite – the goddess of love and fertility and the patroness of the island.
As you continue on this road you will enter the village of Geroskipou, now really a suburb of Paphos. The church of Agia Paraskevi can be found in the centre of Geroskipou, also famed for its production of Cyprus (Turkish) delight. Built in 843 AD it is one of the best early churches in Cyprus and a very important example of Byzantine architecture. It is a three aisled, vaulted church with arches and domes forming a cross. Not only is the exterior fascinating but the inside is heavily decorated with frescoes and icons going back as early as the 8th and 9th century.
At the far west end of the harbour, in downtown Paphos, is the Paphos Medieval Fort. The fort was erected on the medieval ruins of a structure dating back to 1391, which itself had replaced a previous tower. The fort was destroyed by the Venetians to prevent the invading Ottomans from using it. It was re-built by the Turks sometime between 1580 – 92.
In downtown Paphos we have worked with a number of hotels like The Alexander The Great and The Annabelle for many years. For something a little simpler and with stunning views we recommend the 2 star family run Axiothea in Paphos Old Town.
Undoubtedly the jewel in Paphos’ culture rich heritage are the Paphos Mosaics. The mosaics are a must see in Cyprus, let alone Paphos. This large “archeological park” contains some of the best preserved Roman mosaics in the world. They are the remnants of the floors, baths and walls of Roman villas built from the 2nd to 5th century. The complex spans over a number of villas – The House of Dionysos , The House of Four Seasons, The House of Aion and The Houses of Theseus and Orpheus.
On the road to Coral Bay and Aghios Georghios you exit Paphos by the Tombs of The Kings road. So called because on the sea side of the road are a series of underground tombs carved out of the soft strata. Despite the site’s name, there is no evidence of royal use but it is likely to be the burial site of Paphian aristocrats and senior officials. Some of the tombs are adorned with frescoes and Doric columns and date from the 3rd century.
The above barely touches the surface of the ancient sites and museums that Paphos has to offer – the Byzantine icons at the Byzantine Museum are spectacular as are the frescoes at the Ayios Neophytos Monastery dating from the 12th century and St Paul’s Pillar is of great importance to the spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire.
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