Paphos Archaeological Park (also known as Kato Pafos Archaeological Park) is located in Paphos, southwest Cyprus and is situated near Paphos Harbour. The park, still under excavation, is within the Nea Pafos (“New Paphos”) section of the coastal city.
Its sites and monuments date from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. Of the most significant remains are four Roman villas, the House of Dionysos, the House of Orpheus, the House of Aion and the House of Theseus, all with preserved mosaic floors. In addition, excavations by the Cypriot Department of Antiquities and foreign archaeological missions have uncovered an Agora, Asklipieion, “Limeniotissa” Basilica in ruins, the Odeion, “Saranta Kolones” Fortress, the Hellenistic-Roman Theatre, and a necropolis known as the “Tombs of the Kings”.
In 1980 Nea Pafos and Palaipafos were inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
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Beautiful photos, Ian! I know how low the light in these places is and how challenging it is to get such great images. I’m always amazed at the genius of Romans, and how 2000 or so years later, the floors they crafted still survive!
I love this blog. I had the pleasure of spending 7 months in Cyprus in the early 80s and made several trips to Paphos (my favorite spot on the island). This was before the tourist resort invasion and there was only a couple of smaller hotels in Paphos. The town still had all the old charm, the harbor had some great family owned restaurants and the Tombs of the Kings was a pleasant 30 minute walk in the countryside. Sadly, like so many charming little places it has been caught up by the resort tourism of the last 25 years.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.