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Paphos: The Mythological Center of Cyprus

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History of Paphos

Paphos (Pafos), a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Cyprus’s southwest coast, has been a cultural and religious epicenter for over 3,000 years, deeply intertwined with the worship of Aphrodite and the island’s ancient civilizations.

According to legend, Paphos was founded by Pygmalion, whose ivory statue of Aphrodite came to life as Galatea. Their son, Paphos, gave the city its name. The goddess herself was said to have emerged from sea foam near Petra tou Romiou (“Aphrodite’s Rock”), making the region a pilgrimage site for her cult.

 

Notable Historical Places in Paphos

Kato Paphos Archaeological Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Roman Villas: Includes the House of Dionysus, House of Theseus, and House of Aion, featuring exquisitely preserved 3rd–5th century mosaics depicting Greek myths like Theseus slaying the Minotaur.

Odeon: A 2nd-century CE Roman amphitheater still used for summer performances.

Agora: The ancient marketplace with remnants of shops and public buildings.

Asklepieion: A 2nd-century BCE sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine.

Tombs of the Kings
A 4th-century BCE necropolis with rock-cut tombs featuring Doric columns and frescoed chambers. Despite the name, it housed Paphos aristocrats, not royalty.
 
Paphos Castle
Originally a Byzantine fort (7th century), rebuilt by the Lusignans (13th century) and Ottomans (16th century). Now a cultural venue hosting the annual Pafos Aphrodite Festival.
 
Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa Church
A medieval church built atop a 4th-century basilica, adjacent to the Pillar of Saint Paul, where the apostle was allegedly whipped.
 
Saranta Kolones
A 12th-century Lusignan castle near the harbor, destroyed by an earthquake in 1222. Its name (“Forty Columns”) derives from granite columns repurposed from earlier structures.
 
Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock)
The mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, emerging from sea foam. A symbolic landmark tied to Cyprus’s ancient cults.
 
Saint Neophytos Monastery
Founded in 1159 CE by the hermit Neophytos, featuring Byzantine frescoes and a cave-cell carved into the cliffs.
 
Palaepaphos (Kouklia)
Sanctuary of Aphrodite: A 12th-century BCE Mycenaean temple central to her worship for over 1,500 years.

Lusignan Manor House: A 13th-century sugar mill converted into a museum showcasing artifacts from the site.

Limeniotissa Basilica
Ruins of a 5th-century CE church with mosaic floors, part of the Kato Paphos complex.
 
 

Photo by: Stijn te Strake

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