Paphos is one of the most beautiful ancient towns of Cyprus with a
population of about 39,000. The city was the capitol of the island in ancient
times dating back to 1400 BC.
It was on the Paphos shore that the mythological Goddess Aphrodite was born,
a legend that spawned cult worship from neighbouring countries lasting several
centuries. The landmarks associated with Aphrodite are the chunky, rugged rocks
where she was born are known as the Aphrodite Rocks, the sanctuary of Aphrodite
at Kouklia Village, a shrine and scene of pagan festivals, the Aphrodite Baths
at Polis, supposedly to be a source of fertility and the Fountain of Love.
Paphos became the capital of Cyprus under the successors of Alexander the
Great, the Ptolemies and the harbour was a busy, thriving port. It continued as
the island's first city for over seven centuries, during the Roman rule its
Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity in 45 AD by St Paul. The
city also has many connections and relics from early Christianity.
Paphos was succeeded by Larnaka as a major port in the Middle Ages and during
the British colonial period the development of this part of the island came to a standstill.
The recent addition of the international airport has opened up the Paphos area
to visitors.
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