Paphos - Archaeological Park

With an urban population of 55,000 Paphos is the fourth-largest city in the country.

According to Pausanias, Agapenor of Tegea, on his way home from Troy, built a temple to Aphrodite in Paphos. Archaeological evidence traces Paphos' prehistory back to the late Bronze Age. A settlement must have existed there since the 15th century BC. Rich grave goods now attest to the city's prosperity. Paphos was spared the destruction that occurred towards the end of the Bronze Age.

The settlement of Nea Paphos was founded at the turn of the 4th to the 3rd century BC. During the Hellenistic period, it was part of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, later, it was ruled by the Romans. From around 200 BC to 350 AD, it served as the capital of Cyprus.

After Ptolemy's conquest of Cyprus, the kings of Paphos retained only the office of High Priest of Aphrodite. Later the sanctuary of Aphrodite was under the patronage of the Roman emperors. Despite severe damage from earthquakes, the temple survived until the 4th century AD.

In the mid-7th century, the city was plundered by the Arabs. During the Byzantine period, the city fell into decline.

The city has been excavated under the direction of Polish archaeologists since the 1960s. Among the most significant remains discovered are four large and elaborate Roman villas.