Paphos Attractions

Marcello Hill Northeast of Kouklia is Marcello Hill, the northeast gate and the siege works of the Palaipaphos site. These were the extensive defenses of the site, which were gradually added to and strengthened as the city was attacked by different enemies. The walls stand only about one meter high but the impressive arrangements are still visible. The road through the walls is very narrow and turns in a sharp bend. Marks on the walls show how the wheels of vehicles failed to cope with the narrow entrance. The gate was once 12.5m wide with a bastion on either side, but when the defenses were strengthened the entrance was narrowed to 2.8m and guard rooms added.

The siege ramp, outside the gate, was built by the Persians when they attacked the city in 498 B.C. Most of the ramp has now been removed and some artifacts placed in the museum on the main site.

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.

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.