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Archaeological Park in Paphos, Cyprus. photo by Nikodem Nijaki – Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Paphos Archaeological Park

Every place has a tale to tell. You’re sure to start an exciting new chapter thanks to Pafos’ extensive historical sites. The area is home to numerous ancient ruins that date back thousands of years, including huge underground tombs and prehistoric temples, as well as beautiful floor mosaics and intriguing monuments.

The Pafos region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is both sacred and unique. It will bring you on an exploratory adventure that begins with the Stone Age, continues through classical Hellenistic and Roman ages, and culminates in the splendour of the Byzantine era.

Paphos Archaeological Park (also Kato Pafos Archaeological Park) contains the major part of the important ancient Greek and Roman city and is located in Paphos, southwest Cyprus.

The Paphos Archaeological Park is one of Pafo’s most well-known tourist attractions. Located in Kato Pafos, this magnificent Site includes monuments that date back to prehistoric times, the Middle Ages, and the Roman period.

Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about the archaeological park.

1. Paphos Archaeological park dates from the 4th century BC

The House of Aion The mosaics of the House of Aion date back to the fourth century A.D and lie close to the mosaics of Dionysus and Theseus photo by George M. Groutas –

Between the 2nd century BC and the 4th century AD, Pafos was the capital city of Cyprus. The Park includes sites and monuments from the 4th century BC to the Middle Ages, while most remain date to the Roman period.

2. Paphos Archaeological park is located behind Paphos harbour

Boats in Paphos harbour, Cyprus photo by Anatoliy Smaga –

Paphos Archaeological Park is in the Nea Pafos (New Paphos) region in the southwest part of the city. Kings Avenue Mall, Lighthouse Beach and some resorts are nearby.

Nea Pafos is an archaeological site behind Paphos Harbor in Cyprus housing the remains of what was once the capital of the island.

3. Its sites and monuments dating from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages

Its historical sites and monuments span prehistory through the middle ages. The House of Dionysus, the House of Aion, the House of Theseus, and the House of Orpheus, four substantial and elaborate Roman villas with exquisitely preserved mosaic floors, particularly an Orpheus mosaic, are among the most remarkable discoveries to date.

The “Tombs of the Kings” necropolis as well as an agora, asklipieion, basilica, odeion, and Hellenistic-Roman theatre have all been found during excavations.

4. The Archaeological Park is home to various Greco-Roman mosaics

Apollo and Marsyas mosaic at the House of Aion, Paphos Archaeological Park, Cyprus photo by Jules Verne –

Immediately south of the Agora in the southern section of the archaeological site is where you’ll find this magnificent mosaic collection. These beautiful mosaics, which were unearthed in 1962 by a farmer ploughing his field, once adorned the expansive floor space of a sizable, affluent Roman villa.

The House of Dionysus is the biggest and most well-known of the mosaic houses, so named because of the number of mosaics that depict the god of wine Dionysus.

The mosaics’ most beautiful feature is that each one tells a story, primarily based on Greek myths, in addition to being works of art and beauty. Instead of a Roman mosaic, the first thing visitors see upon arriving is a Hellenistic pebble mosaic depicting the monster Scylla in monochrome.

This mosaic, which is based on a Greek story, was found in 1977 a meter underground in the southwest corner of the atrium.

A mosaic in Room 2 depicts the well-known story of Narcissus, and the mosaic in Room 3 shows the four seasons: spring, who is crowned with flowers and holds a shepherd’s stick; summer, who is holding a sickle and wearing ears of corn; autumn, who is crowned with leaves and wheat; and winter, who is depicted as a bearded, grey-haired man.

5. The site presents wide-open spaces and views of the mountainous landscape

Visitors can enjoy the wide-open areas and views of the hilly terrain as they stroll through the park; they contribute to the tranquil and picturesque atmosphere.

Visitors can also climb the Turkish fortress to the summit for a bird’s-eye view of the archaeological park. From this vantage point, they can see sections of the city as well as the blue sea.

6. Paphos Archaeological park has been excavated since 1962

Paphos Archaeological Park, Paphos, Cyprus. photo by Bukvoed –

The Department of Antiquities began conducting systematic excavations at the site in 1962, resulting in the discovery of numerous administrative, residential, ecclesiastical, and private buildings from the old town.

Numerous international archaeological missions from universities and schools across Europe, America, and Australia have also focused their excavations and study at Nea Pafos.

A team from the Chair of Classical Archaeology, Institute of Archeology of the Jagiellonian University, led by Prof. Ewdoksia Papuci-Wadyka, began work on the Paphos Agora Project in 2011. Its main goal was to find the Hellenistic agora, which was likely buried beneath the Roman one.

7. Paphos Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980

Archaeological Park Paphos Cyprus: Entrance photo by Stefan Bellini –

Considered the most important archaeological site in Cyprus, Paphos Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Within it, there are the remnants of a once-important ancient Greek and Roman city, and as visitors spend a morning or afternoon wandering around its sunbaked bricks, they’re transported back to these times of prosperity.

The inclusion of the Kato Paphos archaeological site in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1980 was the starting point for the creation of a General Plan whose aim would be primarily to protect and maintain the archaeological remains, as well as to promote them and provide comprehensive information to visitors.

8. Paphos Archaeological park has numerous attractions in its environ

Cyprus-Paphos-Archaeological-Park-House-of-Theseus photo by Bukvoed –

The marvellous mosaic floors of four Roman villas from the impressive epicentre of the finds.

The complex includes other important monuments, such as the Asklipieion, the ancient Odeion, the Agora, the “Saranta Kolones” (Forty Columns) Fortressa Byzantine era fortress overlooking the harbour, the “Limeniotissa” Ruins of early Christian Basilica and the “Tombs of the Kings”.

9. Paphos Archaeological park is easily accessible throughout the year

Located just behind Paphos Harbor, Nea Paphos is easily found by car just off the B20 from Paphos and there is parking on site.

Otherwise, the Kato Paphos Bus Station is only a 5-minute walk from the park. The archaeological site is open all year round, excluding public holidays.

10. It has a Hellenistic pebble mosaic representing the mythical sea monster

The Scylla mosaic, pebble mosaic floor in Paphos Archaeological Park, Cyprus photo by Carole Raddato –

The house’s rooms are placed around an atrium or central courtyard that served as the hub of the structure. It was constructed at the end of the second century AD, but during the earthquakes of the fourth century AD, it was destroyed and abandoned.

A Hellenistic pebble mosaic representing the mythical sea-monster Scylla from an earlier villa of the 3rd c. BC which was found below the Roman villa is on display in situ.