The kingdom of Pafos is mentioned in passing in Homer's Iliad, and the region was settled as early as 1400 BC. Kato Pafos was founded around 320 BC and became the most important city in Cyprus under the Ptolemies of Egypt and then the Roman Empire.
The Apostles Paul and Barnabas brought Christianity to the city in AD 45.
You will need to double click on the following pictures to enlarge and read:
Overlooking Kato Pafos, this semi-circular Hellenistic Theater has seven rows of stone benches cut into the rock of the hillside:
Viewing the ocean and ruins make it clear why this site was chosen. The presence of wild flowers enhanced our visit:
Pafos remained wealthy and cosmopolitan until it was levelled by earthquakes in AD 365, after which it dwindled into a small fishing settlement:
The lavish mosaics found on the floors of four Roman villas indicate that this was a place of ostentatious wealth in its glory days. Some display saucy scenes of deities and mortal carousing:
Actual view of one of many restored mosaics:
The Asklipion was sacred to Asklipios, god of medicine. Its priests were renowned for their healing skills; it was a hospital as well as a temple of worship:
Saranda Kolones: This stronghold was erected by the 13th century Lusignan kings on the remnants of a Byzantine castle. Its massive, battered walls and honeycomb of vaults and dungeons are surrounded by a dry moat:
Captain Tom checking out Saranda Kolonest:
Aerial view of Kato Pafos:
Lunch time next to the miniature Turkish castle which guards the harbor:
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