CYPRUS, MYSTERY ISLAND...

PAFOS OR PAPHOS - NOVEMBER 2002

Finally I found some photos of this trip to the southern part of the Island of Cyprus. It was made before the accession to the European Union and centred in Pafos, probably the most liveable town, and home to the two archaeological gems in the Island: the Tombs of the Kings and the Roman Mosaics!


"CORAL BEACH HOTEL AND RESORT was the basis for this stay. It is located on the edge of the Akamas peninsula, an area protected by UNESCO, at 150km from Larnaca International Airport. The town of Pafos is quite near and is also included in the UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1980"



"BEACH - The Hotel is situated on 500 metres of natural sandy beach, and the warm waters were perfectly suitable for swimming even in November..."


"THE SWIMMING POOL was an opportunity for some strange photos at sunset"


"HAPPY DINNERS - Portuguese meet Spaniards and have fun"


"OVERLOOKING THE SEA - The most popular of Pafos attractions - the Tombs of the Kings - is situated in an impressive rocky site. It was used as a necropolis from the 3rd century BC until the 3rd century AD"


"TOMBS OF THE KINGS - The name reflects the impressive appearance of the discovered tombs, rather than their royal nature"




"TOMBS OF THE KINGS - There are seven tombs accessible to the public, some with below ground atria surrounded by Doric columns. According to some guides, most of the treasures have been robbed, namely by a famous American consul in Larnaca in the late 19th century - a certain Luigi Palma de Cesnola..."


"KATO PAFOS or Lower Pafos is the section of town close to the ancient Nea Pafos"




"PAFOS PORT - A nice place to stroll around..."




"NEA PAFOS is the name given to the archaeological site west of Kato Pafos, and it corresponds to the Ancient City of Pafos founded in the late 4th century BC. Here we can see the Agora (Forum), the Asklipieion - healing centre and altar of Asklepios, the god of medicine - and the Odeion amphitheatre"





"ROMAN MOSAICS - Discovered by accident in 1962, the Roman mosaics are the remains of a wealthy residence from the Roman period. Now called House of Dionysos, due to amount of mosaics dedicated to the god of wine, the complex is a fabulous one and very well kept"