Breathtaking excavation site

Pafos is a port city in the west of the island and is considered the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. Not far from Pafos is the Temple of Aphrodite, from which one has a beautiful view of Petra tou Romiou - the rock where, according to legend, Aphrodite, the foam-born, is said to have risen from the sea.

Pafos is a place of great natural beauty. The distinctive alternation between rugged cliffs and fertile coastal plains is what gives this piece of earth its special charm. There is far more rainfall than in other parts of the island, which favors the fertility of the earth.

The city of Pafos is the smallest of the Cypriot district capitals with around 51.000 inhabitants. It is made up of two districts: Kato Pafos in the area of ​​the port and Ktima, the actual city center.

With its old walls and fortifications, the port of Pafos is a romantic and cozy place. Sitting in a tavern with a view of the calm waters of the harbor and the colorful fishing boats, it is difficult to imagine that this harbor was a busy and important trading and trading center in Roman times.

Only a few hundred meters away are Cyprus' most precious remains from ancient times: the breathtaking mosaics in the villa of Dionysus. These remains were discovered by a farmer. The excavations so far have uncovered 22 rooms, each with a different mosaic depicting mythological scenes. The mosaics are all in excellent condition, which is surprising as this area was hit by severe earthquakes in the 4th century AD.

The so-called royal tombs from the 3rd century BC. Are a few kilometers from Pafos. The name royal tombs is not entirely appropriate, as there were no kings in Cyprus at that time. After all, the graves must have been intended for high-ranking personalities.