A Culture Wanderluster in Paphos
Paphos, Cyprus’ cultural hub, has long been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage city as ample monuments and ancient sites carry significant cultural value. The purpose of the article is to give you insight, the culture wanderluster, a brief outline of all the must-see cultural and historical sites found in Paphos! From mesmerizing mosaics to the ancient temples and timeless castles, Paphos is indeed a magical destination that every enthusiastic traveller must-visit!
The impressive Odeion remains a symbol of the heart and soul of Paphos. Located in the hub of the ancient city-kingdom of Paphos, this Roman amphitheatre was built in the 2nd century and was used for theatrical and musical performances. The open-air structure was built out of hewn limestone blocks. Considered as an architectural masterpiece, the Odeion is still used as a summer venue where musical and theatrical performances are held inviting cultural lovers to experience a magical musical or theatrical night under the stars!
The Tomb of Kings connotes that Kings were buried in this ancient tombs, which is not the case at all. The graveyard was named as such due to the architectural magnificence of the tombs, which were constructed out of gargantuan hunks of solid rock, decorated with impressive Doric columns as well as murals. The well-preserved tombs date back more than 2000 years!
The 13-century-old church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa was built over the ruins of the largest and oldest-known Byzantine church in Cyprus. Initially, the ageless church was formed with seven aisles, but during the passage of time, the seven-aisled church was turned into a five-aisled church. Its most impressive feature is undoubtedly its colourful mosaics, which fascinate visitors upon first sight.
The outstanding Mosaics of Paphos are considered to the most impressive remnants inspired from Greek Mythology. The well-preserved mosaics depict scenes taken from Greek Mythology and are believed to date to around 200 – 500 AD. The most inspiring were excavated from a number of Greco-Roman palaces such as the Houses of Orpheus, Dionysos, Theseus and Aion.
According to mythological legends, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, first emerged from the foam of the waves at Petra Tou Romiou, which is also known as Aphrodite’s Rock. Aphrodite’s Rock is one of the most scenic bays on the island as well as a source of inspiration and natural beauty for artists all around the world.
Found on a small hilltop behind the ancient Odeion, footsteps away from the blue Mediterranean Sea, the grandiose Lighthouse is the ideal spot to soak in breathtaking views of the whole city and sparkling azure sea. Mind your step though as climbing to the top is quite a mission but well-worth your time as the breathtaking views serve are all the compensation you need!
The once-inspiring Saranta Kolones Castle was named after the forty columns used to construct it. Initially, the imposing castle was encircled with gigantic walls with towers on each side. The walls and entrance of the castle were separated with a moat. It is believed the castle was built over the site of an earlier Byzantine fortress around 1200AD. Unfortunately, after the devastating 1223 AD earthquake, the castle was destroyed. The castle’s arched doors; spiral-shaped stairs and underground dungeons are intact and still fascinate all its visitors.
That’s all on Paphos today! Stay tuned for more! Happy cultural holidays peeps!