Places of Interest

Baths of Aphrodite

Near Latchi, a small fishing village is the Baths of Aphrodite situated in the Akamas Peninsula. The site is a popular mythological place. People believe that the goddess of beauty used to take her baths in the pools of the natural cave. The site has a very romantic envirnment. This cave is surrounded by a fig tree and a very impressive nature and natural wildlife. One of the many myths about the pools is that it restores fertility to someone who baths once in them. The site can be reached by the nature trails of Akamas.

Agia Solomoni church

About 1 Km away from Kato Paphos, located on Agio Pavlou Street, Kato Paphos, Paphos, Cyprus, a Christian Catacomb is the Agia Solomoni church and was built in 12th century. A large tree of pistachio is at the entrance of the catacombs being considered sacred. Locals believe that by tieing a piece of cloth to any branch of the tree with an honest intentions will cure your from all of your ailments. The catacombs were in the Fabrica Hill, that later became a church. The building has some very masterpieces of decorations in the form of grafittis and frescoes. Tourists are adviced to keep a handy light to view the Chapel from inside as it is dark there.

Adonis Baths

There is a love story behind the history of Adonis Baths. Aphrodite who was the goddess of Love and the Persephone who was the goddess of Underworld both fell in love with Adonis. Competition brought them to fight and the decision was taken by the court of the time that Adonis should divide his time to spend with both goddesses, thus one third for Aphrodite, one third for Persephone and the remaining for himself. In return Adonis started spending his own one third time with Aphrodite and cheated on Persephone. As said jealousy is a green eyed monster, Persephone got Adonis killed by a wild bear. News reached Aphrodite who ran toward him and her feet bled and leaving her bloody feet marks through out the way where lilies grew due to her blood.

Acropolis

Ruins of ancient buildings near the new Paphos Lighthouse were built in the 2nd century, the Odeon is made up of limestone. The place is currently used by locals for performing stage drams, muscial concerts and other live activities. It is a half circle structure having twelve rows of seats. The Acropolis has a great significance in Cyprus history and has not lost its importance because of the heavy waves of tourists visits. Roman Temple of Asclepius (god of medicine) lays on the south of the Odean To the south of the Odean and to the north of the Odean are the ancient walls of the Paphos town.

Ayios Neophytos Monastery

It is believed that the Monastery of Ayios Neophytos was founded by the famous Cypriot writer Neophytos in 1159 by carving his own house out of the mountain rock that became a monastery in today's world and is named after his name. Tourists visiting Cyprus see some magnificent frescoes from Byzantine Empire. The monastery is inhabited by few monks in the modern age. Ayios Neophytos Monastery has a museum that has remains from many religious items like old books, priestly garments, collection of Cypriot pottery, holy utensils, jewellery and some maps. Cypriots celebrate a religious fair of two days in the beginning of each year in January holding in Ayios Neophytos Monastery where you can find Cypriots crafts, pieces of art and monastic items.
Every year in January the monastery holds a two day religious fair where you can purchase Cypriot crafts, pieces of art and monastic items.

Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery

The Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery, located at height of 610 meter from sea level, gives a wonderful view of flora and fauna. This monastery was founded in twelve century. The current building was restored in eighteenth century. Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary or the Cypriot ‘Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate’. There are many religious items and historical treasures. A statue of Virgin Mary made up of pure silver still stands in the monastery that has the most of the attractions. To honour Virgin Mary a celebration is held each year on fifteen August, believing that on the days she did not wake up after she slept.

Agios Georghios Basilica and The Fountains of Pegeia

4 km from the fishing point of Pegia, are two ancient ruins defines early Christianity in the city of Paphos, Cyprus. One of these ruins is Agios Georghios Basilica and the other is Fountains of Pegia. This church is decorated with the mosaic floors portraying animal pictures with some rock hewn tombs from the Roman period. The Fountains are in the square of Pegia village.