The charming west coast town of Pafos focusses around an attractive little harbour whose picturesque open air fish restaurants line a quayside of bright fishing boats and pleasure craft.
With a population of just 28.000 Pafos nestles 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 Pafos area, and the resort is graced with some luxury hotels along the coastline.
Pafos has an air of holiday charm combined with history, and olden-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 Pafos has a life of its own albeit so close by, down near the sea -home of the harbour, the fish tavernas, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them.
Pafos is entwined with Greek mythology, and the legendary birth of Afrodite on her shores brought fame and worshippers there to follow the cult of the Goddess. Landmarks associated with Afrodite are the chunky, rugged rocks of her beautiful birthshore known as the Afrodite Rocks or 'Petra tou Romiou', the evocative sanctuary of Afrodite at Kouklia Village, one-time shrine and scene of pagan festivals for thousands, the Baths of Afrodite 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 Pafos was the name of the mythological daughter of Venus and Pygmalion. Pafos 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 Pafos history dates back a great deal further. In fact the whole area abounds in historical and archaeological treasures
PLACES OF INTEREST
PAPHOS DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Dighenis street Tel: (06)240215 Attractive collection of Cypriot antiquities from the Paphos area, dating from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD.
BYZANTINE MUSEUM
I n the premises of the Bishopric Elysee str. Tel. (06)232092 An interesting collection of objects from the Byzantine period, including Byzantine icons from the 12th to 18th century.
ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM
Exo Vrisy Tel: (06)232010 Interesting private collection of objects from the Neolithic Age to the present day.Wide area containing underground tombs carved out of solid rock dating to 4th century BC, many decorated with Doric pillars. Whether Kings were buried here or not, the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.
AYIA SOLOMONI CHURCH
Kato Paphos, St. Paul street. Originally a Christian catacomb. A sacred tree stands at the top, which, according to tradition, cures the diseases of those who hang a personal offering on its branches.
THE MOSAICS OF PAPHOS
House of Dionysos, House of Theseus and the recently excavated House of Aion. Kato Paphos, near the harbour. Tel: (06)240217
The amazing mosaic floors, of these 3rd century AD noblemen.'s villas, are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mostly depict scenes from Greek mythology and are beautifully executed.
PAPHOS ODEON
A small 2nd century Odeon entirely built of well-hewn limestone blocks. It was uncovered by the Cyprus Department of Antiqu-ities in 1973-4 and is now regularly used for musical and theatrical performances.
SARANTA KOLONES
Kato Paphos, near the harbour. This castle was built in the first years of the rule of the Lusignans (beginning of 12th century) maybe on the site of a previous Byzantine Castle. It was destroyed in the earthquake of 1222.
PAPHOS CASTLE
Kato Paphos Originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, then dismantled by the Venetians in 1570, who found themselves unable to defend it against the Ottomans, who in their turn restored and strengthened it after they captured the island.
PANAYIA LIMENIOTISSA BASILICA
Kato Paphos Dating from the Early Christian period, probably early 5th century and dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Harbour'. Almost completely destroyed during the 7th century Arab raids.
PANAYIA CHRYSOPOLITISSA CHURCH AND BYZANTINE BASILICA
Kato Paphos Built in the 13th century, over the ruins of the largest early Byzantine basilica on the island. Within the compound, one can see the so called St. Paul's Pillar, where according to tradition Saint Paul was flogged at some time before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity. Excavations are still going on.
THEOSKEPASTI CHURCH
Kato Paphos, facing the harbour. Theoskepasti means 'Veiled by God' and according to tradition, God sent down a fog to protect the original church during the Arab raids. The modern church was built in 1923.