Kouklia - Palaipaphos Site and Museum
Palaiopaphos or Old Paphos was a celebrated pilgrimage center of the ancient Greek world.
The main site lies on a flat area on top of a hill. The city was probably built by the Arcadian king Agapenor, who stopped here on his way back from Troy. The first settlement was in 1500 B.C. and grew into an important city. It drew the focus of the Persian attack in 498 B.C. when the Paphians were defeated.
The main site lies on a flat area on top of a hill. The city was probably built by the Arcadian king Agapenor, who stopped here on his way back from Troy. The first settlement was in 1500 B.C. and grew into an important city. It drew the focus of the Persian attack in 498 B.C. when the Paphians were defeated.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
Palaipaphos Site and Museum
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It was known as a sanctuary of Aphrodite. After emerging from the sea at Petra Tou Romiou she was brought here and a temple established which attracted a large number of pilgrims. The area flourished until about 321 B.C. when the site at Nea Paphos emerged between the two cities and Palea Paphos lost its supremacy, although it remained important for its sanctuary.
During the Christian period the city declined further. In the 13th century the Lusignans built a castle (Chateau de Covocle) here, from where they controlled extensive sugar plantations. It was destroyed by Memeluke raids in 1426 but was rebuilt and used by the Turkish Chiftlik, the local governor. The manor house has been restored and is used as a museum, although of the earlier medieval building only the east and south wing survive.
The museum houses exhibits taken from the site and fragments of mosaics. The prize exhibit is the black conical stone which was the manifestation of Aphrodite which the pilgrims worshipped. There also are fragments of rock with inscriptions dedicated to Aphrodite, a huge stone jar, various figurines and an ancient bathtub. In the central case are various weapons and around the walls limestone statues from the siege ramp. Other exhibits from the medieval period include pots and cauldrons.
During the Christian period the city declined further. In the 13th century the Lusignans built a castle (Chateau de Covocle) here, from where they controlled extensive sugar plantations. It was destroyed by Memeluke raids in 1426 but was rebuilt and used by the Turkish Chiftlik, the local governor. The manor house has been restored and is used as a museum, although of the earlier medieval building only the east and south wing survive.
The museum houses exhibits taken from the site and fragments of mosaics. The prize exhibit is the black conical stone which was the manifestation of Aphrodite which the pilgrims worshipped. There also are fragments of rock with inscriptions dedicated to Aphrodite, a huge stone jar, various figurines and an ancient bathtub. In the central case are various weapons and around the walls limestone statues from the siege ramp. Other exhibits from the medieval period include pots and cauldrons.
Things to See
Sanctuary of Aphrodite / Leda and the Swam Mosaic
To the east of the Palaipaphos museum is the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, which dates to the 12th century B.C. This is where rituals would have taken place. The goddess was not represented in human form but by the conical stone which was anointed with oil (stone is in nearby museum). In front of the manor house are several buildings associated with the temple consisting of two colonnaded halls. Around the court are several chambers which are a mixture of early construction and later Roman additions.
The south wing is the best preserved of the building and the remaining walls are quite high, made of blocks up to 2.1m in height. There was possibly a Phoenecian temple inside this wing in a small courtyard, but Roman reconstruction has added to the confusion of the original layout.
West of the sanctuary are Roman remains including a large Roman Peristyle House built in A.D. 1. It consists of rooms around a colonnaded atrium and contains mosaics. The house was possibly a residence for the priests who tended the sanctuary. There are ruins of several other Roman houses on the site, most notably the house of Leda. This is reached on a marked path, and contains a copy of the mosaic depicting Leda and the Swan (the most famous in Cyprus).
There are also remains of the Christian period, including the Katholiki Church, which is inside a small cloister and close to the temple. It dates from the Byzantine period when it served the village and has some wall paintings.
The south wing is the best preserved of the building and the remaining walls are quite high, made of blocks up to 2.1m in height. There was possibly a Phoenecian temple inside this wing in a small courtyard, but Roman reconstruction has added to the confusion of the original layout.
West of the sanctuary are Roman remains including a large Roman Peristyle House built in A.D. 1. It consists of rooms around a colonnaded atrium and contains mosaics. The house was possibly a residence for the priests who tended the sanctuary. There are ruins of several other Roman houses on the site, most notably the house of Leda. This is reached on a marked path, and contains a copy of the mosaic depicting Leda and the Swan (the most famous in Cyprus).
There are also remains of the Christian period, including the Katholiki Church, which is inside a small cloister and close to the temple. It dates from the Byzantine period when it served the village and has some wall paintings.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Greek Orthodox Easter
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Greek Orthodox Easter
