Our aim today is to give you the heads-up on Paphos (in Southwest Cyprus). It’s a city that boasts a wealth of history and monuments and is a place where the myths and legends we know and love from childhood come to life before our eyes.
I must admit that this time around our trek was as fascinating and full of discoveries as it was long. We’ll tell you all about where we were and what we saw and you can either follow in our epic footsteps or pick and choose the most useful hints and tips and put together a trip that suit your interests and energy levels! So, shall we get started?!
Our route for today:
Paphos Archaeological Park with its mosaics and Fort (in the harbour at Kato Paphos) — St. Paul’s Pillar and the Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church in Kato Paphos — St. Solomon's Catacombs and Chapel — Fabrica Hill — The Tombs of the Kings in Kato Paphos — THE PLACE — The Byzantine Art Museum — Agia Paraskevi Church and the Paphos Ethnographic Museum — Zimbulaki’s Haji Smith House in Geroskipou
Paphos Archaeological Park
Like most tourists in Paphos, we’ll start off our walking tour of the city and its sights here. Incidentally, the Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
Some are of the opinion that if you haven’t been here, you haven’t seen Paphos. We agree. The open-air archaeological museum on the ancient site of Nea Paphos impresses visitors with both its size and sheer abundance of impressive monuments dating back to different eras. First up, we’ll run through what to look for and where. In the southern part of the park you’ll find the ruins of the medieval Saranta Kolones fortress. Walking in the opposite direction, you’ll come across a lighthouse at the Northwestern gate. Directly opposite the main entrance to the Museum are the Houses of Orpheus, Theseus and Aeon, all famed for their mosaics. In the centre of the park, you’ll see the House of Dionysus, the Asklepieion (a temple dedicated to the god of medicine, Asklepios), and the ancient Odeon theatre and the Agora.
This is where we were met by Erica Charalambous, a famous choreographer, art director, cultural activist, and local resident and history buff, who accompanied us on our walk and gave us a wonderful tour of the local attractions and shared curious facts about past and modern-day Paphos.
Erica: «All the buildings on this site date back to 400 – 200 BC. Some of them were built earlier, some later ... after all, it was a period of bustling trade and bartering in the harbour and surrounding area. Around that time, spas were opened, most of them Greek or Roman».
The park is so huge that we advise you to set aside an entire free day to explore this unique place. The reason it is so extensive is because the bay area saw buildings being built, teared down, and replaced with new ones from different eras over many centuries. Excavations and archaeological digs have been undertaken here since the 1960s and continue to this day. The open-air historical and cultural artefacts are cordoned off but there are raised platforms allowing you access and the chance to take a closer look. This means they are open to enjoy while still bring preserved for future generations.
Erica: «It was a renowned and popular place for relaxation, feasts and various events, especially those involving political discussions and speeches ... In the Roman era, Paphos became the capital of Cyprus. It was bustling, cosmopolitan, and almost reached modern-day Limassol».
We plotted a route starting from the main entrance and immediately headed for the pavilion in the ancient walls, where a lot of people had gathered.
Erica: «An early Christian church once stood here. It was destroyed and was restored again in 1011. Later, it was rebuilt by the Turkish invaders in the late 16th century. Right now, there is a pavilion about the birds of Cyprus, their diversity and natural habitats, landscapes, migration routes. It details thousands of different species including those from the North and Russia. There is also an exhibition of traditional ceramics and mosaics from different Cypriot villages. You’ll notice each has its own style. Their designs always feature images of birds ...
In the 70s and 80s, there was an art gallery in the walls. Nowadays, there is an art café called La Boite 67 nearby that is still open if you can believe it! Let me tell you what «boite» means to the ears of a real Greek person. Boite[1] in French is box. The Greek «boites» of the 60s — small, boxy, dark basements — served cheap wine and simple snacks and always had live music, which would be interrupted by poetry recitals and discussions about art. A lot of famous Cypriot and Greek musicians and singers started out here».
By the way, we recommend visiting this cafe-style restaurant. It serves European, Mediterranean and Greek cuisine and breakfasts, brunches and lunches.
Address: Apostolou Pavlou Street 116,
Telephone: +357 26234800
We then visited other attractions in the park that are renowned for their mosaics.
The House of Dionysus
This is the most famous. The 2nd Century villa stands out for its mosaic paintings on the floor and mythological compositions. It was apparently named after Dionysus because of the multiple instances that the god of wine turns up in mosaics. In the past, it was the private villa of a Roman nobleman or rich Paphos resident.
Erica: «... it was a high-class Greek home where the family could relax. It features the classical atrium in the centre, which usually comprised about 1/10 of the total area of the house. You can see evidence of earlier mosaics, which means there was once another house here that was destroyed by an earthquake: the floor has sunken in here in one of the «rooms». The mosaics with Zeus: the figures are depicted a little differently here. It is framed with a geometric pattern along its perimeter. It is a stone mosaic– the stones used were collected in Cyprus itself (from Troodos and the coast), as well as from the East (Phoenicia) or from Greece. After the fall of the Mycenaean civilization, a lot of its inhabitants migrated to Cyprus. The Cypriot colours of mosaic stones are pink, green, black and white.
The peacock is another favourite (and world-famous) image and it is another example of a large mosaic. If you look closely you’ll see it has 3D effect».
The House of Theseus
The mosaics adorning the floors here are similar to the ones we saw in the House of Dionysus (also 2nd century) but here we are treated to complex geometric ornamentation and mythological scenes. For example, «Theseus killing the Minotaur» or «The Birth of Achilles».
The House of Aeon
It dates back to the 4th century. The mosaic depicts five mythological scenes: The Bathing of Dionysus, Leda and the Swan, The Beauty Contest between Cassiopeia and Nereid, Apollo and Marsyas, and finally the Triumph of Dionysus.
The House of Orpheus
The mosaics in this house date back to the 3rd century. There are three scenes from Greek mythology that are worth taking a closer look at: Orpheus and his Lyre, Hercules and the Nemean Lion, and the Amazon.
Erica: «It was actually a temple. The altar niche has been preserved. It’s where offerings were laid and where nearby prayers were offered to the gods. Orpheus’ mother was Calliope's muse of poetry».
The House of the Four Seasons
The ruins of this building, which dates back to the early 3rd century, are to the north of the House of Orpheus. It also has mosaics depicting the four seasons.
Upon exiting, we climbed up a wooden platform around the unique (like everything here) mosaics depicting muses.
Erica: «... there are 9 muses depicted here — the daughters of Zeus, which inspired creativity in people. The interesting thing is that these mosaics were made later than the ones we saw in the House of Dionysus but they don’t look so refined. They are cruder... and were probably influenced by Christian tradition.
Do you know what I like about the culture of Ancient Greece? Their gods and goddesses were just like us humans and often made the same mistakes as mere mortals: sometimes jealousy or envy got the better of them, they fell head over heels in love, etc»
Commenting on the present day, Erica lamented the fact that area around the Archaeological Park and harbour are increasing popular and are being developed as a tourist hot spot with no regard for the cultural heritage.
Erica: «Out there on Fabrica hill there have been digs at the very top for the last 20 years ... and at the foot, as you can hear, there is another ancient theatre like the Odeon we saw here. I spend time there because of my love of archaeology: the archaeologists sometimes invite volunteers to take parts in excavations. Sometimes I'm there all day — it’s a great way to spend time and learn something new. Make sure you go there!»
We asked Erica about a legend we’d heard that in the distant past, part of modern-day Kato Paphos sank and ended up underwater after a natural disaster like Atlantis. She replied: «That really happened as a result of erosion and not just in Paphos ... the whole of Cyprus. There is a scientific hypothesis that states the island is astride two tectonic plates and as a result of a powerful earthquake, «simply» flipped over. Therefore, if you go up to the top of Troodos today, you can find fossils of shells and ancient marine life that could only be found on the sea floor... and as for Paphos, indeed, its relief in Roman times was different from today’s and the harbour was actually somewhere else — slightly to the left of the one we have today».
We thanked Erica, said goodbye and parted ways in order to continue our exploration of the town on our own.
Address: Agias Galatianis Street, Kato Paphos
Telephone: +357 26306217
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 08:30 – 17:00
Admission: 4,5 euros; concessions 2.25 euros
Paphos Castle (or the Old Fort to the western point of Kato Paphos harbour)
This is a medieval building dating back to the 13th century, which over the years served as a fort, a prison, and later a salt warehouse. The nearby Byzantine fortress of Saranta Kolones (which translates as Forty Columns) in the Archaeological Park preceded it and was built as the main defence from Arab raids in the early 7th century. It was later destroyed by an earthquake in 1222. In 1373-74, during the Cyprus-Genoese war, the castle was under siege. It then surrendered to the Genoese and in 1391 the king of Cyprus, James I (Jacques de Lusignan) ordered that the castle’s tower be restored after being damaged in the siege. In 1473, its walls were reinforced and in 1570 it was destroyed by the Venetians who didn’t want to leave the castle to the Turks.
After capturing Cyprus, the Ottomans restored the fort in 1592 at the order of the governor, Ahmed Bey. There’s an inscription in Turkish above the entrance that can still be seen to this day. Under British rule, the castle was used as a warehouse until 1935.
These days, it is a venue for festivals, concerts, operas (annually in early September), and exhibitions.
There is a large anchor on the embankment, which has been crocheted with brightly coloured yarn in varying patterns as part of an intercommunal project by the women of Cyprus called Peace 2 Peace. Greek and Turkish knitters from both parts of the island came together to work on the project. Its goal is marking the beginnings of a «creative joint effort» and encouraging the blossoming of further friendly relations. You can find the project’s page on Facebook.
Opposite the anchor you’ll find a souvenir shop called Arts & Crafts. During the project’s run, an arts and crafts fair was opened here: it sells items made using ancient techniques combined with modern design. It is free to enter. Its prices are fair (from 5-10 euros and up) so everyone has the chance to buy a unique souvenir made from wood, glass, ceramics, some jewellery, or traditional sweets and local food.
On the day we visited Paphos, the world's largest cruise liner (Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International) came to port though it had to maintain a fair distance away because it is so enormous. It was soon to set sail. We looked at each other and parted like ships in the night, each setting off to do our own thing...
The Kato Paphos harbour embankment is an extremely popular place both for locals and tourists. It’s crowded on weekday evenings and especially so at the weekend. As can be expected from a tourist hotspot, food and drinks are not very cheap here. However, there are options to choose from: cafes such as Hobo, Notos, Steve's Café, or waterfront restaurants such as the Pelican, The Harbor, Moorings, where you can spend a pleasant evening relaxing, eating and enjoying the views of the many boats and ships, the sea and the fort.
Upon exiting Kato Paphos embankment (or entering depending on where you’re coming from) you’ll see an information stand about the area with a short historical tour and map, as well as an unusual 7-metre-high, swiss clock with 4 faces. It’s made of dark metal and was installed in 2015. The project was designed by Costas Koutsoftides and his according to his design, each clock face represents one of the antique houses in the neighbouring Archaeological Park. You’ll also find a lovers’ bench nearby with quotes from Sophocles’ tragedy, Antigone. This ensemble was sponsored by Cypriot patron Sotiris Hadjiminas and dedicated to his late wife.
St. Paul’s Pillar and the Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church
When the Apostle Paul (5-67 AD) visited Cyprus in 45 AD, the saint was seized, tied to a marble column, and flogged at the order of the proconsul of Cyprus, the Roman Sergius Paulus. He received 40 lashes. The Proconsul later converted to Christianity. Pilgrims consider this memorable place one of the most famous. The column is in the grounds of Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church, an early Christian church dating back to the 5th century.
There is also a sign that marks the place where the King of Denmark Eric the Great arrived and then died in Paphos in 1103. His death occurred while he was on his way to the Holy Land and he was buried in the basilica.
The church....
Panagia Chrysopolitissa (translates as: Our Lady of the Golden City) is, in fact, Ayia Kyriaki Church (15th century): a three-nave building with an octagonal roof lantern in the centre. Over the years it has undergone numerous changes. For example, at the turn of the 19th century, the bell tower was added.
It is a symbol of ecumenism (from the Greek oikoumenismós — the world, the universe, the ideology of Christian unity, and the movement encouraging the unity of religions and churches) and also pilgrimage destination for Christians.
It was built by the Diocese of Paphos on the site of the ruins of the largest early-Byzantine basilica on Cyprus with 7th aisles (naves). Only 5 survived (they were built at the end of the 4th century) and the floors were covered with colourful mosaics, some of which have survived to this day. These days, you can also see the ruins of granite columns. There was an atrium with a fountain in the centre.
In about 1300, a Gothic church was built to the northwest of the Chrysopolitissa basilica. According to historians, it belonged to the Franciscan order. It was a three-nave building with Renaissance statues from the 15th century. When Cyprus was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1570-71, the church was turned into a mosque and later destroyed by an earthquake.
It was only in 1987 that the Metropolitan of Paphos, Chrysostomos, returned the Chrysopolitissa to the Catholics some 400 years later. Alongside Catholic and Lutheran services, the church also holds Maronite masses. Some Orthodox festivals and feasts are still held here too. There are no frescoes inside but there are ancient, darkened icons and an iconostasis with three carved doves hovering above.
Church-goers are requested to adhere to the same rules as in other faiths: behave decently and dress appropriately.
Address: Paphitis Aphroditis Street, Kato Paphos
Telephone: +357 26306217
Opening hours: Winter (September 16th – April 15th): 8:30 - 17:00, Summer (April 16th – September 15th): 8:30 – 19:30
Admission: Free
St. Solomon's Catacombs and Chapel
When wandering around the outskirts of the port in Kato Paphos (more precisely, 1 km away), you can’t help but stumble upon this historical monument: It is a remarkable place with an enormous tree with its branches spread over the foundations underground. The branches are adorned with ribbons left by those who believe that they can be healed of disease by doing so.
Please note: when you go down into the catacombs, be extremely careful especially in the evening. The catacombs are not very well lit, its slopes are very steep and vaults very low, and the stone steps inside may unexpectedly break or crumble. Although some local guides may say «All you need is a torch…», it’s important to be aware and take heed that in the lowest levels of the catacombs there are flooded caves and a deep well, which are especially dangerous if you’ve just come in to the dark from bright sunlight as you might simply not notice them.
Here’s a bit of history: the underground St. Solomon chapel (11th century) that was carved into limestone was originally part of the catacombs, which some archaeologists ascribe to the Hellenistic period. If you go 20 steps underground, you’ll find a small stone room decorated with dark frescoes and inscriptions (made by crusaders). There is also a source of holy water, which is believed to heal the eyes.
So, what was here in ancient times before the chapel was built? This place has a tragic history that still lingers in the depressing atmosphere of the dark vaults. Legend connects the chapel with the martyrdom of the seven Maccabee brothers (the Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs: Abim, Antonius, Gurias, Eleazar, Eusebonus, Alimus and Marcellus), who were tortured in 174 BC for refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods in front of their mother, Saint Solomonia. She herself saw the steadfast belief of her sons and died with them praying to God. Some historians also believe that these catacombs were the site of an ancient synagogue in the Roman period. Day of Commemoration of the Saints (observed by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches) is on August 1.
The catacombs were built here seeing as the entire area is a honeycomb of caves and ancient abandoned mines, as it was here that it was possible to hide from oppressors and pursuers.
Opening hours: It seems they are open 24/7 (no official times are given), Apostolou Pavlou St., Kato Paphos
Fabrica Hill and Catacombs (Agios Agapitikas St.)
Not far from St. Solomon’s, you’ll find numerous catacombs and caves all over the hilltop. The ones at the bottom have entrances that have partial stone entrances were obviously used as pens and stables. As you climb up to the very top, you’ll see stone steps that lead down into the depths of the stone caves, into deep gorges dotted with blocks of stone. Here you’ll can see the occasional entrance to narrow corridors leading to the next caves.
The area was named Fabrica Hill because of the medieval textile works that once stood here.
In the era of antiquity, the northern gates to Paphos stood at the foot of the hill. It is believed that St. Paul entered the city through these gates.
Please note: for some reason, despite how popular this place is with tourists and locals, there is little to no protection against cave-ins — certain places only have metal netting above your heads — and you’ll also encounter incredibly deep wells right under your feet. Be very careful! It’s up to you to stay safe!
Only the mosaics on the top of the hill that date back to the Hellenistic period and the archaeological site where there is ongoing excavation are cordoned off. The mosaics under a canopy are divided into three scenes. The central image is of two dolphins holding a trident. This mosaic floor is considered the oldest surviving in Cyprus and sea pebbles were used as the main material. There are stunning views of the surrounding area from here. You can see Pano and Kato Paphos and the Mediterranean Sea.
On the other side, at the foot of the hill, you can see the atrium of the Old Odeon that Erica had told us about earlier. It is like the one we visited in the Archaeological Park next to the harbour, just smaller.
The Tombs of the Kings in Kato Paphos
This is also part of the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, 2 km west of the harbour, and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980. It spans an extensive territory of impressive, monumental underground tombs. They were carved in monolithic stone and date back to the 4th century BC.
In fact, these burial sites were not for the monarchy but high officials and aristocracy. However, due to their size and the supreme decoration of the burial chambers (some of them are adorned with Doric columns), they earned the title, «royal». The architecture of some of the chambers is similar to residential houses with a peristyle atrium. Similar graves were discovered in Alexandria, which demonstrates the close links and ties between both cities during the Hellenistic period.
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, Winter: 8:30 – 17:00, Summer: 8:30 – 19:30
Address: Tombs of the Kings Avenue
Telephone: +357 26306217
Admission: 2.50 euros
There is parking in the shade available at the entrance.
THE PLACE
This live art space has made a name for itself in Paphos and beyond. The owner and enthusiastic artist herself, Natalia Antoniou Hajigeorgiou, kindly showed us her pride and joy — an association of Paphos’ leading artists and craftsmen that both produce and sell their work as well as hold classes and workshops for the public. The museum gift shop is stocked with jars and bags of local spices and teas, homemade sweets and honey.
— Natalia, please tell us a bit more about this place. What’s the main focus of your «mission»?
— This old warehouse stood closed for 40 years. After 10 months of repair and reconstruction works, we recently opened it as a special place (hence the name, The Place) in Old Paphos, where local craftsmen could use the space to hold workshops, produce and display their crafts and talents to the public. The key crafts include: pottery, weaving, lacework, icon painting, mosaics, basket-weaving, carving and wood burning, and encaustic painting. We hold regular classes but there is also the chance to just pop in and try your hand at any of the crafts you see on display here. What’s more, we have a wine cellar where you can taste exclusive Cypriot wines (the author smiles at this idea!)
— Natalia, your space displays both the traditional crafts of the region as well as modern design work. For example, you’ve got both hammered copper items and this original, handmade jewellery and much more ...
— Of course. We don’t just have the classics of the genre but aim to present traditions in a new modern light. We produce works and sell them but that’s not all: we also teach our visitors about all the crafts. You can come and see examples of local wood burning, brightly painted wicker trays and baskets; decanters for water and wine made of dried gourds — all these crafts are very popular in our region. What’s more we can even show you the ancient, unique technique of encaustic painting (author’s note: it originated in Ancient Greece), which is hot wax painting. The artist creates a range of images and entire pictures with paints mixed with hot wax. Historically, this technique was used on wood to create icons in the Byzantine era.
— Tell us more about some further unique techniques used in modern-day arts and craft. What can you see and learn from a visit to THE PLACE?
— Oh, I’d love to... this here is a decoration technique that uses the silk cocoon of the silkworm. Our region was rich and became renown for silk production. The artist, Kulla, creates traditional compositions on deep velvety coloured canvases (often dark cherry or black) and includes vegetal ornamentation skilfully created from cocoons. Plus, some artists are using this material in new, more modern applications and interpretations like jewellery-making: earrings, necklaces, bracelets.
Here's an example of home-made weaving. This loom from the village of Fyti here is 100 years old. The artist, Postira, guides her students in the way of this laborious process. The time and effort you’ll need to expend creating your material will depend on the design you choose. For those lacking patience, have a selection of ready-made items for sale.
Of course, we also have knitting (crochet) and mosaics: Kulla creates modern mosaics made of stone, glass and mirrors. These ceramics here are a copy of the ancient artefacts found in Kourion. Any art, craft, or decorative ornamentation has a history that stretches back centuries!
Haralambous Hambis makes flutes out of bamboo: each has its own unique sound. Do you want to have a go at playing a tune? (Of course, we gave it a whirl and it sounded great!)
— Does every artist teach classes?
— It actually depends on their craft. Rinos does pottery and holds classes (did you see the potter’s wheel in the courtyard?) Petros is a pyrographer and he gives master classes. Some other artists do too.
In the furthest room from the art studio there is a glass fusing workshop where the artist Andreas works. This is where students are taught to create glassworks by melting coloured pieces together.
So, come and enjoy the chance to try out something new and experiment with immersing yourself in local traditions and folk art!
Address: Konstantinou Kanari St. 56
Telephone:+357 26101955
Email: theplace@theplacecyprus.com
Website: www.theplacecyprus.com
The Byzantine Art Museum
The museum is within the territory of the residence of the Archbishop of Paphos.
The museum has a wonderful collection with displays of Byzantine icons from the 7th-19th centuries and even proudly boasts the oldest icons ever to be found in Cyprus, which date back to 7th-8th centuries. It is of note that the icons on display come from the monasteries and churches in Paphos region (primarily from the 12th-14th centuries). For example, the Eleusa icon of the Virgin Mary from the Agios Savvas tis Karonos Monastery (from approximately 1200) is a stunning example of Byzantine art.
Other exhibits include displays of liturgical books, royal edicts (protection documents) and manuscripts, wood carvings and items made of silver, crucifixes, sacred vestments, etc.
Address: 5 Andrea Ioannou Street
Telephone: +357 26931393
Open: Winter: Monday – Friday 09: 00-15: 00, Saturday: 09: 00 – 13: 00; Summer: Monday – Friday 09: 00 – 16: 00, Saturday: 09: 00 – 13: 00
Admission: 2.50 euros
Agia Paraskevi Church (Plateia Agias Paraskeuis, 1) in Geroskipou
This is one of the oldest churches in Cyprus and is a world-famous example of 9th century Byzantine architecture. Its interior boasts frescos from various periods, the earliest of which date back to the 8-9th centuries, with the later examples from the 10-11 centuries, and the early 15th century.
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 08:30 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 16:45.
There is an English tea house next to the church, where you can enjoy a pleasant rest and have a bite to eat. The menu offers different types of tea, cake, or lunches.
Paphos Ethnographic Museum, Zimbulaki’s Haji Smith House in Geroskipou
Haji Smith House, an ensemble of traditional buildings from the 18th century, once belonged to Andreas Zimbulakis, a high-standing figure in Cypriot history under British rule. The Ethnographic Museum was opened in 1978 and boasts a large and diverse collection of exhibits from all over the island. They give visitors an impression of everyday life, daily habits, and the arts and crafts of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
You are free to explore the grounds: there are several inner courtyards (paved with the same stone used in the buildings) where you’ll find various buildings and main house. There are workshops and a bakery waiting to be discovered behind each door.
Interestingly enough, the estate has a more rural rather than urban vibe. There was obviously no time or need to decorate and outwardly demonstrate the family’s well-being as we often see in the houses of the local nobility. On the contrary, old photos show that the landlords worked together with their workers and servants. They led a relatively simple life (even by historical standards on Cyprus) and it’s only the individual items on display in the museum and the size of the overall territory and grounds that makes it clear that the family here were actually rather well-off.
One of the first exhibition halls is devoted to weaving at home. It's a workshop with a real loom with a piece of woven cloth. You can also see tools for scotching cotton and flax, making yarn: a carding machine, spindles, etc.
Opposite, there is a hall dedicated to silk-spinning and silk-weaving. You’ll find silkworm cocoons, and there is a small loom with a sample of homespun ... silk. Walk through the hall and you’ll end up in one of the inner courtyards, in which you see mortars, pitchers, a distillation still used to make Zivania, and an oil press. There is also an orchard. From here, you can explore by choosing one of the doors (they are very low, be careful!) that lead to various workshops with demonstrations of shoe-making, wood-carving, copper-plating, basket-weaving and wicker seat-making, which remains popular to this day. Then you’ll come across the hall dedicated to Cypriot ceramics with displays of traditional examples from every region.
If you climb up to the top floor of the estate, you’ll find the private chambers of the landlords, which are also quite small while being well-designed and cosy. Their small windows are fitted with shutters. There are samples of traditional male and female national dress on display in showcases.
It’s worth looking out for the horizontal display case with a selection of wedding bread and loaves, whose design resembles lacework. Nearby, there’s an exhibition of printed one and two-colour cotton scarves and shawls.
Address: Leontiou and Athinon Streets
Telephone: +357 26306216
Opening hours: Winter (September 16th – April 15th): 8:30 – 16:00, Summer (April 16th – September 15th): 9:30 – 17:00. All year round except for public holidays
Admission: 2.50 euros
Our day in Paphos left us with unexpected, contradictory yet fascinating impressions, changed our view about historical events and figures. It’s a place awash with history that spans centuries, and here the layers come to life and sparkle with colour like a Paphos mosaic: yesteryear and today, Christianity and paganism, true stories and beautiful legends ...
Please note: there are bus tours in English (in red double-decker buses)
Opting to join one of the many guided tours of Paphos is a great way to learn about the places we visited today as well as many others. Buses operate throughout the day every 1-1.5 hours. The main stops are: Kato Paphos Bay, St. Paul's Pillar, Fabrica Hill, the Tombs of the Kings, the Old Town, and the Archaeological Museum.
Day tickets costs: adult – 13.5 euros, children – 6 euros, children under 5 years go free.
Duration: 1 hour
You can find information about other bus tours here: www.cyprusbybus.com
We wish you memorable adventures!
