Page 77 - 2021 ACTA's Guide to Cyprus Tourism

Pafos was the capital of Cyprus for 600 years
PAFOS HOTELS
75
in ancient times and its archaeological legacy is
such that UNESCO has put the whole town on its
World Cultural Heritage List.
It was the centre of the cult of Aphrodite with
numerous temples such as her sanctuary at
Kouklia built in her name and the area known as
Petra tou Romiou believed to have been where
the goddess rose from the waves.
The intricate floor mosaics in villas dating back
to the Roman period depicting scenes
from Greek mythology are considered
among the finest in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
One of the columns around
the church of Agia Kyriakiis
known today as St Paul’s Pillar.
According to the tradition, when
the Apostle arrived in Pafos and
started preaching, paganists tied
him to a pillar and punished him
with thirty-nine lashes.
Equally impressive are the underground
Tombs of the Kings, carved out of solid
rock and decorated with Doric pillars. he
museum at Maa-Paleokastro near Coral Bay
has an interesting collection of artefacts from the
period of Mycenean Greek colonisation of Cyprus.
The monastery of Agios Neofytos has wonderfully
colourful frescoes painted on the walls in a cave
that a hermit carved out of the mountains.
Chrysorrogiatissa monastery is also worth visiting
for its fine icons and a taste of the locally produced
vintage wine from its own winery.