Limassol - Amathus Archeological Site Amathoús
Amathous is one of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus where, according to mythology, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne after his battle with the Minotaur. The remains date from the Archaic, Roman and Christian periods.
The first inhabitants here were probably Mycenean, although there is no definite evidence to prove this. Amathus was important because of its port, from where it exported copper and timber.
The first inhabitants here were probably Mycenean, although there is no definite evidence to prove this. Amathus was important because of its port, from where it exported copper and timber.
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The golden age of Amathus was during the Hellenistic and Roman period, but then it suffered extensive damage in the earthquakes of the fourth century. It was then rebuilt only to be pillaged by the Arabs.
The site is large and stretches eastwards from the Amathus Beach Hotel, where the Acropolis and lower town once were, for two miles, to where there used to be a necropolis. The most easily visible feature of this site is the Agora, which is a fenced area signposted off the road. There are a large number of pillars, some of which have been restored and the vestiges of some of the early walls. On the hill above are the remains of the Acropolis and a Temple to Aphrodite with a large stone jar marking its entrance. At the bottom of the hill is an early Christian basilica.
The other main feature of Amathus is the group of tombs. In the Western Necropolis, in the grounds of the Amathus Beach Hotel, is an underground tomb. There are other tombs across the road. A little further east is an open area with another tomb, which has three chambers. Crossing over the river, usually dried up, is the line of the city wall, which stretches out onto a promontory and juts out into the sea, marking the site of an old harbor.
Inland, near Ayia Varvara Church, is the Eastern Necropolis, with more tombs and a water cistern. There have been numerous significant finds here, including a sarcophagus now in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. A limestone jar from the sixth century BC, 1.85m high and 2.2m in circumference with four huge handles was found here. It is now in the Louvre in Paris.
The site is large and stretches eastwards from the Amathus Beach Hotel, where the Acropolis and lower town once were, for two miles, to where there used to be a necropolis. The most easily visible feature of this site is the Agora, which is a fenced area signposted off the road. There are a large number of pillars, some of which have been restored and the vestiges of some of the early walls. On the hill above are the remains of the Acropolis and a Temple to Aphrodite with a large stone jar marking its entrance. At the bottom of the hill is an early Christian basilica.
The other main feature of Amathus is the group of tombs. In the Western Necropolis, in the grounds of the Amathus Beach Hotel, is an underground tomb. There are other tombs across the road. A little further east is an open area with another tomb, which has three chambers. Crossing over the river, usually dried up, is the line of the city wall, which stretches out onto a promontory and juts out into the sea, marking the site of an old harbor.
Inland, near Ayia Varvara Church, is the Eastern Necropolis, with more tombs and a water cistern. There have been numerous significant finds here, including a sarcophagus now in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. A limestone jar from the sixth century BC, 1.85m high and 2.2m in circumference with four huge handles was found here. It is now in the Louvre in Paris.
Hours
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Greek Orthodox Easter
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Greek Orthodox Easter
