Paphos

Paphos is a Port City located in the Paphos District of western Cyprus. It holds the ancient Greek and Roman city ruins in the Paphos Archeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famed for its Mosaics.
It was the capital city of the Roman Province of Cyprus.

Paphos was a cult centre and place of pilgrimage for the worship of Aphrodite from before 700 BCE to 380 CE.
The Sanctuary of Aphrodite Paphia was the centre of Aphrodite worship for the entire Hellenic World.
There was also an Oracle.

Sanctuary of Aphrodite
- Located next to Kouklia village, 8 miles (14km) east of Paphos.
- Temple of Aphrodite (Venus) (ruins)
  - She was represented by a stone, not a statue, which is now in the Kouklia Museum
Paphos Archeological Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Five excavated Roman Villas from the 2nd-4th centuries CE, which hold one of the best preserved collection of Roman Mosaics depicting scenes from mythology.
  - House of Dionysius
    - The villa is enclosed, with all mosaics visible including: Apollo and Daphne, Ikarios, Four Seasons, a Hunting Scene.
  - House of Aion
    - Mosaics: Birth of Dionysius, Cassiopeia and the Nereids, Centaur and Maenad, Skirtos offering fruit to Dionysius.
  - House of Theseus
    - Residence of the Governor. Mosaic of Theseus and the Minotaur.
  - House of Orpheus
    - Mosaics (not currently on public display): Orpheus and his Lyre, Hercules and the Lion of Nemea, the Amazon.
  - House of the Four Seasons.
  - Theatre
  - Agora
  - Basilica
  - Odeon (12 rows of seats)
  - Asclepeion (Healing Temple)
  - Necropolis (‘Tombs of the Kings’)

Kouklia Museum
- Located in the village of Kouklia near the Sanctuary of Aphrodite.
- It holds the Aphrodite Stone and various artefacts from the sanctuary, including the Mosaic of Leda and the Swan.
Paphos Archeological Museum
- Located on the B6 road, Paphos.
- The museum holds collections of pottery, sculptures and sarcophagi from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.

Paphos, Cyprus