Just some of the archaeological sites in and around Paphos. 

 

As a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Paphos has an abundance of archaeological interest.

Ancient temples, rock-cut tombs, Roman villas with elaborate floor mosaics, reflect a highly sophisticated society.
 
With a history dating back more than eight thousand years, Pafos(traditional spelling) has a wealth of treasures for the visitor. From the Stone Age, Hellenistic and Roman times, Byzantium through to today, many of the ancient monuments are included in the UNESCO Global Heritage List and below are just some examples.

Paphos Mosaics

This site lies near the harbour and consists of many examples of mosaic floors, some dating back to the second centuary A.D. and cosisting of The House of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion and The House of Orpheus.

Kato Pafos, near the harbour  
Tel. 26306217

Open daily:
November-March: 08.00-17.00
June-August: 08.00-19.30
April, May, September, October: 08.00-18.00
 

Christian Basilicas at Pegeia  

In the town of Pafos, as well as in the rest of Cyprus, many fine Christian basilicas were constructed during the Early Byzantine period. Today in Pafos, the remains of two such basilicas are preserved, that of Panagia Chrysopolitissa and Panayia Limeniotissa.
The basilica of Panagia Chrysopolitissa is situated in the eastern part of the town. It is the largest basilica excavated so far in Cyprus and once it was the cathedral of the town and the seat of its bishop. It was built at the end of the 4th century and destroyed in the middle of the 7th century, during the Arab raids. This was originally the seven-aisled basilica, which was rebuilt and modified several times. The Medieval church of Agia Kyriaki stands nearby.
 

The basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa is situated a short distance from Pafos harbour. This is a three-aisled basilica, built at the beginning of the 5th century. Very few sections of its mosaic floors with geometric patterns have been preserved.

Three other basilicas, one next to the other, have been excavated in the Cape Drepano area, about 15 kilometers northwest of Pafos. They are known as the basilicas of Agios Georghios tis Pegeias. The largest of them, a three-aisled basilica, was built in the middle of the sixth century, the second one a few years later and the third at the end of the 6th or the beginning of the 7th century.

Tombs of the Kings

Spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock while some are decorated with Doric pillars. High officials rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.

 
Kato Pafos   Tel.26306295
Open daily:
November-March: 08.00-17.00
April-May & September-October: 08.00-18.00
June-August: 08.00-19.30
 
 
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