On the evening of October 29, the historic square of Agios Georgiou was reopened in Peyia after reconstruction. The ceremony was led by the Archbishop of New Justiniana and all Cyprus, Georgios, as the work was carried out on the initiative and with the support of the Paphos Metropolis of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus. The goal of the project was to emphasize the historical character of the place, as well as to improve it.
The ceremony took place under dim lighting as a sign of respect for this environmentally sensitive area of the Akamas.
In his welcoming speech, Akamas Mayor Marinos Lambrou noted that the parish council of St. George, under the supervision and guidance of the Archdiocese of Paphos, has been responsible for the preservation of the site over the years, renovating two churches, constructing retaining walls to stabilize the soil and installing a parking lot. However, this historic area required more extensive reconstruction.
What has changed
Lambrou said that during the work, alien and invasive plant species (acacias, palm trees) were removed, which were replaced by hundreds of olive trees, some of which are centuries old. These trees blended harmoniously into the environment, enriching and decorating it.
At the suggestion of the Department of Antiquities, the old toilet building at the entrance to the archaeological park was demolished, as it spoiled the view and was a source of dirt and unpleasant odors. Modern and comfortable sanitary facilities were installed in existing buildings along the road.
The icon shop at the western entrance to the temple, built from temporary and cheap materials, was also demolished. The restaurant building and other buildings were faced with local stone and their floors were replaced with new ones. The dilapidated and dangerous gazebo was dismantled and a new one was built in its place - in the same place and the same dimensions as the old one. Local stone paving stones were installed in the dirt parking lot and in pedestrian and vehicular traffic areas. The retaining walls were strengthened and new flower beds were laid out. All power and communication cables were removed underground. Special lighting has been installed to highlight the character of the place, highlighting the church with its double bell tower and majestic trees.
In addition, the mayor announced that a modern museum will be built on a site northeast of the entrance, costing 1.5 million euros.
Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus, in turn, recalled the historical significance of this place. He noted that ships transporting grain to Constantinople sailed from here in ancient times. “We stand on historical land that has glorified not only this area, but the whole of Cyprus,” said the primate.
Important port of the Roman period
The area of Agios Georgios in Peyia is located on Cape Drepanon in the Paphos region. Between 1952 and 1955, the Department of Antiquities carried out excavations here and discovered three early Christian basilicas and baths dating from the 6th century AD. Excavations were continued in 1992-1998 by a group of scientists from the University. Aristotle in Thessaloniki. Since 1999, they have been carried out by an archaeological expedition of the Greek Ministry of Culture.
Research revealed that there was a large unfortified settlement in the area during the Roman and early Christian periods, which especially developed during the era of Emperor Justinian (527-565 AD). Due to its location - on the westernmost edge of the island and on the sea route from Alexandria to Rhodes - this settlement served as the first stop for ships transporting grain from Egypt to Constantinople. This explains many of the features of its layout.
What did the excavations reveal?
The central part of the settlement is occupied by an architectural complex, including a large three-nave basilica A, with extensions on the north side, an atrium and a baptistery in the west. Adjacent to the north side of the baptistery is a smaller three-nave basilica. To the west of the complex is a large two-story building, built in the style of a Greco-Roman house, which presumably served as the residence of a bishop.
To the north of Basilica A, scientists discovered baths. In the northeast, next to the road leading to the village of Peyia, the remains of a small three-nave basilica C are preserved. In the center of the settlement, the remains of residential buildings, underground cisterns and a third basilica (B) were discovered. The settlement's cemetery consists of monumental tombs carved into the steep cliffs along the western and northwestern coast of the Cape.
On a natural plateau between the basilicas and the cemetery stands the Church of St. George, with quarters for pilgrims around a single-nave church dating from the late 13th to early 14th centuries. Large stone domed church of St. George was built at the beginning of the twentieth century.
The archaeological park is open daily from 08:30 to 16:00.
In the sea opposite the area of Agios Georgios lies the island of Hieronisos, we wrote about it here.
Agios Georgios on the map.
The text was prepared based on materials from Politis, Cyprus Times, Phileleftheros and culture.gov.cy.
