Pafos, in the west coast of Cyprus, was the legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite. It is out of the seas of Pafos that Aphrodite is said to have risen, and it was in her Temple at Palaipafos (Kouklia), one of the most celebrated places in the ancient Greek world, that the worship of the goddess flourished. For six centuries during the Hellenistic and Roman periods this western town was the island’s capital. Because of its importance, the whole town of Pafos has been included in unesco’s world heritage list. Remnants of exquisite floor mosaics depicting scenes from Greek mythology are considered to be some of the best in the eastern Mediterranean as are underground tombs, carved out of solid rock and decorated with Doric pillars. St. Paul together with St. Barnabas, the founder of the Church of Cyprus, visited Pafos, where the Apostle converted the Roman governor to Christianity. Today Pafos is a charming town, with every amenity, as well as a romantic harbour with a medieval castle where one can enjoy culture under the stars, such as an annual opera performance. Inland and in the mountainous regions lay superb monasteries and tranquil villages, where old traditions and customs have been kept alive since time immemorial.
Main places of interest: Pafos Archaeological Museum Byzantine Museum Ethnographical Museum Pafos Fort Pafos Archaeological Park (Mosaics) Tombs of the Kings St. Paul’s Pillar Sanctuary of Aphrodite at Kouklia Monastery of Agios Neophytos Agia Paraskevi Church
