Paphos is not just a city. This is a casket with jewelry, where behind every turn is a new story, which is rooted in the depths of centuries. How to fit millennia in one day? Difficult, but you can try! We offer you a route that will give an incredible immersion in the atmosphere of the ancient capital of Cyprus.
Watching point: Kings Avenue Mall. Let's start our path with the island of our time. Here you can drink coffee, stock up on water and morally prepare for a time travel.
Step in the dungeon
The catacombs of Holy Solomonia are located literally a few minutes walk from the shopping center. This is the early Christian necropolis, which has become a shrine. The legend says that Holy Solomonia, fleeing the persecution of the Romans, took refuge in these catacombs with her seven sons. According to legend, the entrance was overwhelmed, but after 200 years, when it was opened, the saint came out of there alive. At the entrance to the catacombs, an ancient pistachio tree is growing, which, according to legend, heals the diseases of those who, with faith, tie the fabric shreds on its branches.
In the footsteps of history: from the Ottoman baths to the pillar of St. Paul
Continuing a walk, we run into the Ottoman baths (hammams), built in the Middle Ages - a reminder of another period in the history of the island. And very close is the unique complex of Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa. This is the current church, erected in the XIII century on the ruins of the huge Early Unified Basilica. It was here, among the ancient columns and mosaic, that the famous pillar of St. Paul is standing - according to legend, it was at this column of the apostle that he turned the Roman proxul to Christianity.
Let's go further to the Church of the Panagia of Theoskapatia. It is located right on the rock.
A snack, if necessary, there will be a long walk.
High points: from royal tombs to archaeological park
Further, our path lies with the two main treasures of pathos. We get on the bus number 611 and go to the royal tombs. This grandiose necropolis, where the local nobility was buried, amazes by its scale.
After its inspection, we go to the sea and go to the picturesque promenade to the archaeological park (you can read the article about it on the link). Here, on the ruins of ancient villas, you can look at magnificent mosaics for hours and walk among ancient buildings. And at the end of the path, admire the famous Paphos castle guarding the entrance to the harbor.
The cultural marathon is completed: dinner time!
After such a rich walk, the appetite will play in earnest. In the area of the embankment there are many options for every taste: exquisite restaurants, cute taverns - the choice is yours.
If there are strength: bonus ideas
• Look at The Blue Shell House - an amazing house decorated with thousands of shells (article about it). • Go to a boat trip with a transparent bottom for observing turtles. • Visit an unusual museum in the form of a flying saucer on the way to the Coral Bay beach.
Material and photo was prepared by Ekaterina Andreevakanal in Telegram
