The archaeological site of Palaipafos (‘old Pafos’ in Greek) is located in Kouklia Village and was one of the most important city-kingdoms of Cyprus, as well as the first Cypriot site to be included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1980.
There are two versions of how Palaipafos was founded; one story tells that Agapenor, the King of Tegea (Peloponesus), founded the city-kingdom on his way back from the Trojan War. A second legend tells that Kinyras, the local legendary king (12th century) was the founder and first High Priest of The Sanctuary of Aphrodite, which is one of the most significant monuments at the site and the most famous of the Goddess’ sanctuaries. Its ancient remains date back to the 12th century BC, whilst it remained a place of worship until the 3rd – 4th centuries AD.
The other significant monuments of Palaipafos are: The House of Leda; the northeast gate of the defensive wall; the city wall and the Palace of Hadji Abdulla; the Church of Panagia Katholiki; the Lusignan Manor House; the cemeteries and the Lusignan sugar-cane refinery in the coastal plain.
The museum, housed in a Lusignan Manor, exhibits many interesting finds from the area and portrays how the Cult of the Goddess of Fertility developed into the Cult of Aphrodite, whilst the sugar-cane refinery is also open to visitors.
The site is linked to the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
Region: Pafos (Paphos)
Address: Kouklia village, 14km east of Pafos
Contact No: Tel: +357 26 432 155
Operating Hours: April 16 – September 15, daily: 08:30 – 19:30
September 16 – April 15, daily: 08:30 – 17:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).
Entrance Fee: €4,50
For organisedgroups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Courtesy of the CTO
