Ancient Town Paphos (Πάφος)

The origins of Palaia Paphos, today's Old Paphos, are rooted in mythical tales attributing its foundation to King Kinyras. Archaeological findings confirm settlement as early as the 15th century BC, with rich grave goods testifying to its prosperity. In the 7th century BC, Paphos was first historically mentioned when its king Ituandar paid tribute to the Assyrian ruler Esarhaddon. Later, Paphos rebelled against the Persians and contributed ships to Xerxes' fleet in the 5th century BC. Nikokles, the last king, moved the capital to Nea Paphos and fortified Palaia Paphos, which thereafter primarily served as an Aphrodite sanctuary. After the Roman conquest in 58 BC, the Aphrodite sanctuary remained under imperial protection until the 4th century AD but declined during the Byzantine era. In the 13th century, the Lusignans built a castron to oversee sugarcane plantations, which was later destroyed and rebuilt by the Mamluks. The ruins of Paphos were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.

The ancient city of Paphos is located in the city of Paphos, in the Paphos District of the Republic of Cyprus, on the island of Cyprus. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 4 meters above sea level.

The impressive ancient city of Paphos is now accessible to visitors and can be explored. Here, the remains of the once-flourishing metropolis can be discovered, offering deep insights into the ancient history of Cyprus.

• Paphos Fort (Fortress), approx. 0.4 km away
• Tombs of the Kings of Nea Paphos (Ancient Buildings), approx. 2.0 km away
• Ancient City of Lemba-Lakkous (Ancient Buildings), approx. 6.2 km away
• Ancient City of Palaepaphos (Ancient Buildings), approx. 16.4 km away