Paphos has officially submitted its application to the European Union, seeking recognition of the cultural and religious route ‘In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul, Apostle to the Nations’ as a significant destination.
This move comes after a two-year process undertaken by the tourism bodies in the Paphos region, vying for official certification and inclusion of the route in the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.
Cultural Routes serve as powerful tools for promoting and preserving the diverse cultural identities within the European Union. The footsteps of Apostle Paul in Paphos have been the focal point of tourism efforts for religious tourism development in the province for several years.
While this initiative gained momentum years ago, notably during the visit of then-Pope Benedict to the Apostle Paul’s Column in Kato Paphos, subsequent results in the growth of religious tourism were minimal.
Nevertheless, the combination of leisure and pilgrimage in the Mediterranean areas where Apostle Paul preached and declared remains a primary goal for the authorities in Paphos regarding tourism development and the province’s promotion.
The development of religious tourism, as outlined in the plans, will focus on the steps of Apostle Paul within the framework of the MedMission program, which is dedicated to the protection and promotion of Mediterranean sites and highlighting the religious and cultural significance of Apostle Paul’s journey.
In 45 AD, the Apostles Paul and Barnabas, accompanied by John Mark, traveled from Antioch to Seleucia and from there by ship to Cyprus, reaching Salamis, the largest port on the island at that time.
According to tradition, when Apostle Paul arrived in Paphos and began his preaching, pagans bound him to a column and punished him with thirty-nine lashes.
One of the columns located in the courtyard of the Church of Agia Kyriaki is now known as the Column of Apostle Paul.
The Column of Apostle Paul is a popular pilgrimage site for visitors who come to witness the religious landmarks of this early Christian stronghold.
