Pafos: A unique work of art and enrichment of marine life Divine shells – Underwater sculpture composition

It is with a great pleasure that today the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism, its members and partners have completed a project that began about a year ago.

Today, the first Snorkelling Park in Cyprus for free diving in the Protected Area of the known “Municipal Baths”  will be enriched with a unique sculpture composition by the creator-sculptor Yiota Ioannidou.

“DIVINE SHELLS?

The project consists of 3 sculptural compositions of supernatural size shells to be placed in 3 different point  at the bottom of the sea, at the MUNICIPAL BATHS in Kato Pafos. Each composition consists of different shells in relatively close proximity to each other. A smaller composition of sea urchin shells is placed outside the water in the natural environment at the surrounding rocks, predisposing the visitor to the surprise that follows in the sea.

The shells/sculptures  are made of environmentally friendly concrete in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant Dumping Protocol of the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution.

Artistic view

Divine shells, as a tribute to the glorious past of the goddess Aphrodite who left her mark throughout our island. Overall, the connection of the shells with Aphrodite, where they both rise from the sea, is obvious and is interpreted as a correlation of the goddess emerging from the sea on a shell. It seems that in ancient times they had some relation to fertility, similar to that of eggs and Aphrodite. Beautiful and exalted shells of rare beauty have been offered to the temple of Aphrodite as gifts to the altar of the Goddess of Beauty.

The Project/ Benefits

An innovative, authentic and environmentally friendly project that is in harmony with the magic of the sea is expected to function as a natural system for  conservation and reproduction of the biodiversity while at the same time will attract swimmers and helping to enhance both the swimming experience and the destination’s image.

Their geometrical composition, and especially their internal structure, not only contribute to the attraction and inhabitation of marine life, but also is a work of art in the core of a fully protected zone. As it is known, the MUNICIPAL BATHS swimming area has been declared protected and it’s the first official Snorkelling Park in Cyprus. A unique experience and a reference point in Pafos, for free diving with rich marine life, archaeological treasures and contemporary work of art.

The whole initiative is part of a larger project of the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism (PRBT) which also includes the recording and monitoring of biodiversity, provision of information, for sustainable and a more responsible tourism.

Taking this opportunity, Pafos Regional Board of Tourism would like to thank all those who contributed to the completion of the project. The creator of the work – sculptor Yiota Ioannidou, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, and especially Mr. George Pagiatas, the Department of Antiquities, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the Port Authorities, the Marine police and Cydive.