Kourion – Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates

Hylates was worshipped as a local god in Cyprus and was considered equal to the Greek god Apollo in his functions.

A sanctuary of Apollo Hylates was located west of Kourion. It was probably used for worship between the 8th century BC and the 4th century AD. The site originally contained an archaic temple, a circular monument and an altar.

During Roman rule, the site was expanded to include the south and north buildings, both of which may have served for the display of votive offerings or for the accommodation of visitors. Terracotta figurines and pottery collected at the temple from the 5th century BC until Roman rule were buried in the votive pit.

Most of the monuments, as they appear today, are the result of restoration work from the 1st century AD, including the partially reconstructed Temple of Apollo, rooms for pilgrims, a sand-covered area for wrestling and boxing training (palaestra), a bath complex, and a Sacred Way.