Palaepaphos (Palaipafos) Archaeological Site (Old Paphos in Greek)

Palaepaphos (Palaipafos) archaeological site is located in the beautiful village of Kouklia in the Paphos district.

If you are a history enthusiast, you will find these ancient remains most interesting as Palaepaphos was one of the most important city-kingdoms in Cyprus.

In addition, one of the most significant and famous monuments is there…the Sanctuary of Aphrodite.

For more information and pictures of this wonderful UNESCO archaeological site click the links below to guide you through the article.

Quick links:

About Palaepaphos (Palaipafos) Archaeological Site
Pictures of Palaepaphos (Palaipafos) Archaeological Site

About Palaepaphos (Palaipafos) Archaeological Site

UNESCO World Heritage Site

The archaeological site of Palaepaphos is an UNESCO World Heritage site. It was the first site to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1980.

Location of Palaepaphos (Palaipafos) Archaeological Site

This interesting archaeological site is located in the village of Kouklia in the Paphos district.

City-Kingdom

It was one of the most important city-kingdoms in Cyprus.

How It Was Founded

There are two versions of how Palaepaphos was founded…

1st Version…

A legend says that Agapenor, the King of Tegea in Peloponesus stopped in Cyprus on his way back from the Trojan War and founded this wonderful and important city-kingdom.

2nd Version…

Another legend tells that Kinyras who was the local legendary King (12th century) founded the Sanctuary of Aphrodite. He was also the first High Priest of this significant monument.

Significant Monuments of Palaepaphos (Palaipafos)

One of the most significant monuments at this wonderful archaeological site is the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, which it was one of the most famous sanctuaries of the Goddess.

Its ancient remains date back to the 12th century BC. The Sanctuary remained a place of worship until the 3rd – 4th centuries AD.

Other significant monuments in Palaepaphos (Palaipafos) Archaeological site are…

The House of Leda
The city wall and the Palace of Hadji Abdulla
The northeast gate of the defensive wall
The Church of Panagia Katholiki
The cemeteries
The Lusignan sugar-cane refinery in the coastal plain
The Lusignan Manor House

The Museum

The Museum is housed in a Lusignan Manor and exhibits many interesting finds. It also portrays how the Cult of the Goddess of Fertility developed into the Cult of Aphrodite.