Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates

The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates lies near Kourion, about 22 km west of Limassol, Cyprus, within the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area close to Episkopi. It was the principal sanctuary of the god Apollo in the Kourion kingdom, where Apollo was worshipped as protector of woodland (Hylates). Worship here goes back to the 8th century BC, and the visible remains mostly date from the Roman period, in the 1st century AD, when the sanctuary was monumentally rebuilt. Visitors walk through a site set among pine trees, where the key features include the Temple of Apollo, the sacred precinct, the pilgrim's hostel and the palaestra, a courtyard used for athletic training, as well as a bathhouse and a circular building thought to be linked to ritual. The reconstructed columns and stone foundations give a clear idea of the layout, and the shade of the trees makes the site more comfortable than many exposed archaeological areas. A visit takes 45 to 60 minutes. The sanctuary is quiet compared with Kourion, because fewer coach tours include it, and the atmosphere is calm and wooded. Late afternoon light is the best for photography, bringing out warm tones in the stone and softening the pine shade. There is no practical public bus, so visitors usually arrive by car or taxi, about 3 km west of Kourion, and it is sensible to combine the two sites in one trip. Admission is a few euros and opening hours follow the Department of Antiquities seasonal pattern. The ground includes steps and uneven paving, and the area can be slippery after rain.