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Geographic's of Paphos
The Paphos District is one of the six districts of Cyprus and it is situated in the western part of Cyprus. Its main town and capital is Paphos. The entire district is controlled by the internationally recognized government of Cyprus. There are four municipalities in Paphos District; Paphos, Yeroskipou, Peyia, and Polis Chrysochous.
Area of the district is 1,393 km.², which constitutes the 15,1% of the total area of the island, and the population in 2001 was 66,364. Its coastal area is characterized by gulfs and coves, capes and points, beaches and tiny isles. The district can be divided into 3 morphological regions: the coastal plain, lying mainly below 200 metres, the hilly area extending from plain up to the igneous rocks of Paphos forest and the mountainous region, lying mainly on the igneous rocks of the Paphos forest. North-west of the District is the Akamas peninsula. |
Paphos Harbour
The Paphos harbor is lined with tourist shops, selling handicrafts, jewelry and other souvenirs. There are also roadside cafes and on the street visitors can meet up with Kókos, the resident pelican.
The harbor is still used by small fishing boats. There are also various boat trips out to Lara's beaches as well as to a nearby shipwreck in a glass-bottomed boat.
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What is there to do in Paphos
Paphos Fort
The small fort at the end of Paphos harbour was first built in the 13th century. Destroyed by the Turks & then rebuilt by the Ottomans.
Tomb of the Kings
The Tombs of the Kings is a large necropolis located just over a mile north-west of Paphos harbour in Cyprus.
The underground tombs, many of which date back to the fourth century BC, are carved out of the solid rock, and are thought to have been the burial sites of Paphitic aristocrats and high officials up to 3 CE (the name comes from the magnificence of the tombs but no kings were in fact buried here). Some of the tombs feature Doric columns and frescoed walls. Archaeological excavations are still being carried out at the site. The tombs are cut into the native rock, and at times imitated the houses of the living.
Although the tombs have been known and casually explored for centuries, they were first subjected to systematic excavation in the later 1970s and the 1980s under the direction of Dr Sophocles Hadjisavvas, now Director of Antiquities of the Republic of Cyprus.
Dr Hadjisavvas has turned over to research students of the University of Sydney the preparations of the finds for publication.
Part of the importance of the tombs lies in the Paphian habit of including Rhodian amphorae among the offerings in a burial. Though the manufacturing stamps placed on the handles of these amphorae, it is possible to give them a date and, through them, the other material from the same burial.
Paphos bird park - www.pafosbirdpark.com
Tel: +357 26813852
The project started with Mr Christos Christoforou's love of Birds & Wildlife. The Park was originally going to be for Mr Christoforou's private use to house his enormous private collection of Birds, but he decided to open the Park for the public, so that they may also enjoy the splendours of his private collection & it also being a unique park in Cyprus. Mr Christoforou's other aim was to educate the local community about the importance of caring & conserving all bird & animal life. The Park took 3 years to complete & it was finally open to the public in September 2003.
As Mr Christoforou is commited to education he is constantly upgrading & adding new features to the Park opening in May 2004 is our Amphitheatre which will hold 350 guests, the Amphitheatre's main purpose is to hold educational talks & programs about the various wildlife we have in the Park as well as showing wildlife documentaries. We will also have daily Parrot & Owl shows which will educate the public as to how agile & clever these birds are.
Solomans Catacombs
Solomans Catacombs consists of underground chambers. The catacomb is still used as a church. Sadly the area has been badly vandalised over the century's. Outside of the Catacomb is a tree, covered with hanky's and other material, left be people who believe in the miraculous powers of the catacomb.
Saranda Colones
Saranda Colones is the remains of a castle built in the 7th century. Lovely views from here over the Mediterranean, try to get her early morning or late afternoon to avoid both the heat & the crowds, we were lucky to have the place pretty much to ourselves, a relaxing place to wander around.
House of Dionysos
The mosaics at the House of Dionysos were re found by a farmer ploughing his field. Excavations commences in 1962 They are said to be the best preserved mosaics in the eastern Mediterranean, they date back to the 2nd & 3rd Century's. You walk around the mosaics on raised platforms, so you are looking down on them.
The pillar of Saint Paul
The Pillar of St Paul is where Paul was flogged and had 39 lashes by the governor of Paphos because of his belief in Christianity. The governor later relented & became a Christian! The Pillar is on the right hand foreground of the photo. The other ruins in the photo is a Roman forum, excavation of this site still continues.
The Odean at Paphos
The Odeon is a small 2nd century theatre, as you can see next to Paphos lighthouse. It was badly hit during a 7th century earthquake & was abandoned.The theater has been partially restored & holds occasional events.
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Where to eat in the Paphos area
A list of restaurants in the Paphos area of Cyprus
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The history of Paphos
Paphos
Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite's legendary birthplace was on this island, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century B.C. The remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs mean that the site is of exceptional architectural and historic value. The mosaics of Nea Paphos are among the most beautiful in the world.
Paphos became the capital of Cyprus under the successors of Alexander the Great - the Ptolemies and in those days its harbour was a busy, thriving port. It continued as the island's first city for more than seven centuries, retaining its importance under Roman rule its most famous Governor Sergius Paulus, was converted to Christianity by St Paul in 45 AD. But Paphos history dates back a great deal further. In fact the whole area abounds in historical and archaeological treasure.
Capital of the west and positively teaming with history is Paphos, site of the island's second international airport. The resort town has as its focal point a charming fishing harbor by Paphos Fort, lined with open-air cafés and taverns that serve a tempting menu of the day's catch.
The legacy from its remarkable history adds up to nothing less than an open museum, so much so that UNESCO simply added the whole town to its World Cultural Heritage List. Among the treasures unearthed, are the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, beautifully preserved after 16 centuries under the soil. Then there are the mysterious vaults and caves, the Tombs of the Kings, the Pillar to which Saint Paul was allegedly tied and whipped, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum.
Geroskipou with its remarkable five-domed Byzantine church of Ayia Paraskevi, and its Folk Art Museum is a village known for many years now for its special delight `loukoumi'.
Ayios Neophytos Monastery, famous for its `Encleistra', Enclosure, carved out of the mountain by the hermit himself, boasts some of the finest Byzantine frescoes of the l2th and l5th centuries. Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery makes its own range of wines using homegrown grapes. A small museum dedicated to Archbishop Makarios, first president of Cyprus, is found at Pano Panagia. From here it is a rewarding drive to the majestic Cedar Valley, home of the indigenous Cyprus horned sheep, the moufflon.
Lempa village can be singled out as one with particular historic significance. In its pretty setting near the sea, Lempa's link with prehistory is the site of a chalcolithic settlement. Today the faithful reconstruction of several dwellings, gives an insight into chalcolithic life on the island.
Further north lies a quiet resort, Polis, overlooking the beautiful Chrysochou Bay with its charming fishing refuge of Latsi.
The low-lying scenery around Paphos, much of it cultivated with banana plantations and backed by the foothills of the western Troodos range, has an attractively open quality to it. This is the gateway to the Peninsula of Akamas, a natural wilderness of incredible beauty with breathtaking gorges, spectacular coastlines and enjoyable nature trails.
The charming west coast town of Paphos focuses around an attractive little harbor whose picturesque open-air fish restaurants line a quayside of bright fishing boats and pleasure craft.
With a population of just 38.000, Paphos nests in the lee of the Western Troodos Mountains, which add another dimension to this area of scenic beauty. The recent addition of its own international airport nearby has opened up the Paphos area, and the resort is graced with some luxury hotels along the coastline.
Paphos has an air of holiday charm combined with history, and older-day elegance is lent to the town by its classical style buildings in the upper part of town, which leads to the shopping area. The lower part of the town - known as Kato Paphos has a life of its own albeit so close by, down near the sea -home of the harbor, the fish taverns, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them. |
Paphos and Greek mythology
Paphos is entwined with Greek mythology, and the legendary birth of Aphrodite on her shores brought fame and worshippers there to follow the cult of the Goddess. Landmarks associated with Aphrodite are the chunky, rugged rocks of her beautiful birth shore known as the Aphrodite's Rocks or "Petra tou Romiou", the evocative sanctuary of Aphrodite at Kouklia Village, one-time shrine and scene of pagan festivals for thousands, the Baths of Aphrodite at Polis, supposed source of fertility and the Fountain of Love, or Fontana Amorosa, a few miles further into the Akamas Peninsula.
Even the town's name is linked to the Goddess, for Paphos was the name of the mythological daughter of Venus and Pygmalion. Another 'first' for Paphos was its early recognition of Christianity. While under Roman rule in 45 AD, it was here that Saint Paul converted the first ruler to the faith.
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How do I fly into Paphos, Cyprus?
Paphos Airport, Cyprus, Paphos 8320
Tel: +357 2624 0506
Fax: +357 2624 0531
Managing Director: Iacovos Demetriou +357 2624 0506
Operations Director: Evanthis Demetriades +357 2624 0507
Air Traffic Controller: Andreas Kallias +357 2624 0509
Security Manager: Charis Tsadiotis +357 2624 0514
Airport Manager: Andreas Louca
Operator: Department of Civil Aviation
Paphos International Airport (PFO) serves mostly charter flights. Flights to Paphos are widely available from charter flight companies from many of the UK's regional airports, from Exeter in the Southwest to Glasgow in the North. Many tour operators including First Choice, Thomson and Monarch fly regularly. Flights to Paphos are also available using the scheduled services from British Airways and Cyprus Airways. This can be one busy airport, particularly departures on Wednesdays. The airport is relatively small and can have 6 or 7 flights taking off around the same time, it can be murder!! Once you have managed to check in and make your way into the departure lounge, you will need to keep your eyes and ears open to listen to the rather 'muted' announcements. If the thought of a busy Paphos airport puts you off then why not head off to Larnaca - and have the same problems on a bigger scale - really though the problems appear no worse than any other airport in the world on a busy day! A highway connects to Limassol (68 km) and from there onward to the rest of southern Cyprus, and dolmus shared taxis (£3-4) run reasonably often.
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Sites to visit when looking for accommodation for your stay at the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and Paphos
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Link to sites of interest for Paphos including the towns history and weather
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