Paphos and Area
It was at Paphos that the mythological Goddess Aphrodite was born a legend, spawning a wave of cult worship from neighbouring countries that lasted several centuries. The large rock that juts from the sea is known as "Aphrodite's Rock" while the Baths of Aphrodite at Polis also echos her love for the island. At Palaepafos (Koulklia) lie the remains of the Goddess' earliest Sanctuary. Many historical treasures that have been discovered in Paphos are, the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, beautifully preserved after 16 centuries under the soil.
There are the vaults and caves, Tombs of the Kings, the Pillar to which St. Paul was allegedly tied and whipped, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum. Geroskipou with its remarkable five-domed Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi, and its Folk Art Museum is a village known for its special delight 'loukoumi'. Agios Neofytos Monastery, boasts some of the finest Byzantine frescoes of the 12th and 15th centuries.
Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery makes its own range of wines using home-grown grapes. At Pano Panagia there is a small museum dedicated to the first president of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios. From here it is a rewarding drive to the majestic Cedar Valley. Tourism in Paphos is a recent development, four tourist areas have already been established; Paphos town which extends to Geroskipou, south-east and Chlorakas-Kisonerga to the north; Polis which extends to Latsi and Neo Chorio to the west; Coral Bay and Tala. Centres are also being developed in Drouseia, Agios Georgios (Pegeia) and Tsada. With low-lying scenery around Paphos, much of it cultivated with banana plantations and backed by the gentle foothills of the western Troodos range, has an attractively open quality to it. The relatively unspoilt state of the countryside make the area a real delight for the walker and naturalist. While the sun drenched beaches are lapped by turquoise waters making the area a fabulous place to relax and an ideal base to explore this jewel in the Mediterranean.
Chlorakas
The charming and traditional village of Chlorakas is located just a short drive from the more lively resort of Paphos. Here you will find a more relaxed pace of life, some wonderful restaurants, a large number of coffee houses and a selection of shops and supermarkets all specialising in local produce. Chlorakas also has a variety of historical buildings to offer, including the unique church of Ayios Nikolaos. We have 2 villas in Chlorakas.
|
|
Paphos
This charming west coast town focuses around an attractive little harbour, whose picturesque open-air fish restaurants line a quayside of bright fishing boats.
Paphos has an air of holiday charm combined with history and olden-day elegance is lent to the town, which leads to the shopping area. The lower part of the town, known as Kato Pafos, (literally 'lower' Paphos), has a life of its own. Down near the sea, home of the harbour, the fish taverns, souvenir shops and several modern hotels with important archaeological sites around them.
Paphos is known as the 'Playground of Aphrodite' and the 'Aphrodite’s Rock', birthplace of the goddess, jut dramatically out of the sea some 16 miles east of the town. Legend says that if one swims around the rock three times, at midnight, with a fulll moon, you will be young and eternally beautiful! To the north of Paphos, one can find the Baths of Aphrodite, where our local heroine used to bathe herself.
For those wishing to explore a little further a field, the surrounding area boasts many charming villages each with their own individual character and also the idyllic Coral Bay whose sweeping beach and sheltered bay is a sun-worshippers paradise. We have 1 villas in Paphos.
|
|
|