Paphos - St Kiriaki Church (St Paul's Pillar) Páfos - Ayía Kyriakí
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On this fenced site on Apostolou Pavlou Avenue there is a single pillar standing up at the far end, which is called St. Paul's Pillar. It was here that St Paul was bound and given 39 lashes as a punishment for preaching Christianity.
After this, he managed to convert the governor to Christianity, making Cyprus the first Christian state in the world.
There are also several granite columns and other fragments of ruins on the site. Archeologists are not sure which building all these columns belong to, although one theory is that the site used to be a Roman forum.
At the church of Ayia Kyriaki, next to the site, Roman Catholic and Anglican services are held each Sunday.
East of the site are the remains of another church. It was built in 1300 and was refurbished 200 years later. A large number of Italian sculptures were added and several of these were uncovered during the excavations along with fragments of paintings. It was turned into a mosque by the Turks, but later it collapsed and was abandoned until excavations took place.
Next to this and below Ayia Kyriaki, are the remains of one of the earliest Christian basilicas, measuring 50m by 38m. It was a five-aisled edifice and used to be covered in mosaics. The roof was supported on pink granite columns, the remains of which are still visible. Excavation of the area is still going on.
After this, he managed to convert the governor to Christianity, making Cyprus the first Christian state in the world.
There are also several granite columns and other fragments of ruins on the site. Archeologists are not sure which building all these columns belong to, although one theory is that the site used to be a Roman forum.
At the church of Ayia Kyriaki, next to the site, Roman Catholic and Anglican services are held each Sunday.
East of the site are the remains of another church. It was built in 1300 and was refurbished 200 years later. A large number of Italian sculptures were added and several of these were uncovered during the excavations along with fragments of paintings. It was turned into a mosque by the Turks, but later it collapsed and was abandoned until excavations took place.
Next to this and below Ayia Kyriaki, are the remains of one of the earliest Christian basilicas, measuring 50m by 38m. It was a five-aisled edifice and used to be covered in mosaics. The roof was supported on pink granite columns, the remains of which are still visible. Excavation of the area is still going on.
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