Paphos is a coastal city in south-west Cyprus, legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, with UNESCO-listed Roman mosaics, a medieval harbour fort, rock-cut royal tombs and beaches.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Paphos.
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1
Chalcolithic settlements
Villages such as Kissonerga-Mosphilia grow along the Paphos coast.
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2
Aphrodite's sanctuary at Palaepaphos
Mycenaean Greeks settle at Palaepaphos and found the cult of Aphrodite.
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3
Nea Paphos founded
King Nikokles founds Nea Paphos at the harbour, 16 km from the old city.
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4
Ptolemaic rule
Nea Paphos becomes the capital of Ptolemaic Cyprus.
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5
Roman annexation
Rome annexes Cyprus and Paphos remains the provincial capital.
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6
Saint Paul in Paphos
Paul and Barnabas preach in Paphos and the proconsul Sergius Paulus is converted.
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7
Earthquakes
Earthquakes destroy much of Paphos and the capital moves to Salamis.
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8
Arab raids
Byzantine fortresses such as Saranta Kolones protect the harbour.
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9
Richard I conquers Cyprus
Richard the Lionheart takes Cyprus on the Third Crusade and sells it to the Templars, then to Guy de Lusignan.
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10
Earthquake destroys Saranta Kolones
A major earthquake wrecks the fortress and the harbour town.
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11
Venetian rule
Venice takes Cyprus and fortifies the island.
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12
Ottoman conquest
The Ottomans take Cyprus; Paphos Castle is rebuilt in 1592.
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13
British administration
Britain takes over administration and builds roads and harbours.
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14
Independence
Cyprus becomes an independent republic.
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15
UNESCO World Heritage listing
Paphos is inscribed on the UNESCO list for its archaeological remains.
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16
European Capital of Culture
Paphos shares the title with Aarhus, Denmark.
Historical eras
The chapters of Paphos's past.
Prehistoric and Bronze Age
Chalcolithic villages and the early Aphrodite cult at Palaepaphos.
Hellenistic and Roman
Nea Paphos is capital of Cyprus under Ptolemies and Rome.
Byzantine
Basilicas, monasteries and hermitages such as Agios Neophytos.
Lusignan and Venetian
Crusader kings and Venetian fortifications.
Ottoman and British
Ottoman fort rebuild and British administration.
Historical sites
Places where Paphos's past comes alive.
Paphos Archaeological Park
Nea Paphos, founded in the 4th century BCE, became capital of Roman Cyprus; the site holds mosaics, the Odeon and Agora.
Where: Kato Paphos
Admission: EUR 4.5 (about USD 5.17)
House of Dionysos
Second-century Roman villa with mosaics of Dionysos, Theseus and the Minotaur.
Where: Paphos Archaeological Park, Kato Paphos
Admission: EUR 4.5 (about USD 5.17) (park ticket)
Saranta Kolones Fortress
Byzantine castle built to guard the harbour, destroyed by the earthquake of 1222.
Where: Kato Paphos
Admission: EUR 4.5 (about USD 5.17) (park ticket)
Tombs of the Kings
Hellenistic and Roman rock-cut necropolis dating from the 4th century BCE.
Where: Kato Paphos, north-west of the harbour
Admission: EUR 2.5 (about USD 2.88)
Paphos Castle (Medieval Fort)
Harbour fort rebuilt by the Ottomans in 1592 on a Byzantine and Lusignan base.
Where: Paphos Harbour, Kato Paphos
Admission: EUR 2.5 (about USD 2.88)
Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa and St Paul's Pillar
Site of an early Christian basilica where tradition says St Paul was lashed in 45 CE.
Where: Kato Paphos
Admission: Free
Palaepaphos (Sanctuary of Aphrodite) and Kouklia Museum
Cult centre of Aphrodite from the 12th century BCE to Roman times.
Where: Kouklia
Admission: EUR 3.4 (about USD 3.91) (reported; confirm)
Agios Neophytos Monastery and Enkleistra
Hermitage cut by the monk Neophytos in 1159 with 12th-century frescoes.
Where: Tala, north of Paphos
Admission: EUR 2-3 (about USD 2.3-3.45) (reported; confirm)
Geroskipou Village and Agia Paraskevi Church
Five-domed Byzantine church of the 9th-10th century with later frescoes.
Where: Geroskipou
Admission: Free (donation welcome)
Museums
Curated collections that tell Paphos's story.
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.