Description

The Archaeological Site of Palaepaphos (“Old Paphos” in Greek) is located in the village of Kouklia and was one of the most important city-kingdoms of Cyprus, as well as the first Cypriot site to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980.

There are two versions regarding the foundation of Palaepaphos: one legend says the city-kingdom was founded by Agapenor, king of Tegea (Peloponnese), returning from the Trojan War. The second legend states that Cinyras, the local legendary king (12th century BC), was the founder and first High Priest of the Sanctuary of Aphrodite — one of the most significant monuments on this site and the most famous of the goddess’s sanctuaries. Its ancient remains date back to the 12th century BC, with the sanctuary remaining a place of worship until the 3rd–4th centuries AD.

Other significant monuments of Palaepaphos include: the House of Leda; the northeastern gates of the defensive wall; the city wall and the Hadji Abdullah Palace; the Church of Panagia Katholiki; the Lusignan Mansion; cemeteries and the Lusignan sugar factory on the coastal plain.

The museum, located in the Lusignan Mansion, exhibits many interesting finds from the area and shows how the cult of the fertility goddess evolved into the cult of Aphrodite, and the sugar factory is also open to visitors.