Walk around the old town Paphos

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etrex21

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Trail stats

Distance: 6.25 mi
Elevation gain: 167 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 167 ft
Max elevation: 144 ft
TrailRank: 53
Min elevation: 56 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: 2 hours 3 minutes
Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
Coordinates: 1658
Uploaded: October 31, 2021
Recorded: October 2021

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near Mouttalos, Paphos District (Cyprus)

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Itinerary description

The archaeological park of Kato Paphos is one of the most important ancient monuments in Paphos and Cyprus.On the site were excavated monuments and discovered artefacts from the pre-historic period until the Middle Ages.

Among the most important remains that were excavated until now are four Roman period villas with mosaics of amazing craftamanship with scenes from Greek mythology. Paphos mosaics are considered among the finest in the world.

The ancient Odeon, the Agora and the Asklepieion, a sanctuary dedicated to Asklepeios, the ancient god of medicine, are monuments attracting many visitors. They date back from 200 years B.C. until 300 years A.C.

Also in the Archaeological Park, Saranta Kolones is a castle from the Byzantine period. It was built in the 7th century A.C.and destroyed by an earthquake in 1223 A.C.

The excavations on the site continue every year. In addition to the Cyprus Antiquities Department, the Archaeology departments of Universities around the world also participate in the excavations.

The Archaeological Park is next to Kato Paphos harbour. With a very big parking place next to the park and busses connecting the area with everywhere in Paphos, access to it is very easy.

The Archaeological Park of Paphos is a UNESCO World heritage Site, because of its Outstsanding Universal Value, according to the website of UNESCO. Just because of this, a visit to it must be on the list of anyone visiting Paphos.

Waypoints

Cave

Theatre Basilica

Paulus pilaar

Agia Kyriaki church, the ancient Chrysopolitissa Basilica. and Saint Paul's pillar. Walking on the footsteps of Saint Paul. Built around 400 AD Basilica Chrysopolitissa is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.

Flora

Archaeological site

House of Theseus

This exceptionally large villa was the residence of the Roman proconsul or governor, and was divided between rooms for official functions and those for private use. Its name derives from the beautiful mosaic of Theseus and the Minotaur found in the southeast quarter. The villa covered several insulae of the Hellenistic street plan. It was built in the 2nd half of the 2nd c. AD over ruins of earlier houses and was occupied until the 7th c. AD. So far only the southern half of the villa has been fully excavated.

House of Dionysos

This exceptionally rich villa occupies 2000 sq. m of which 556 are covered with mosaic floors decorated with mythological, vintage and hunting scenes. Its is named after the god Dionysos who features on several of the mosaics. Its rooms are arranged around a central courtyard, or atrium, which functioned as the core of the house. It was built at the end of the 2nd century AD and was destroyed and abandoned after the earthquakes of the 4th century AD. 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.