Pafos Archaeological Site

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Nea Pafos (New Pafos) is the name given to the sprawling Pafos Archaeological Site, which occupies the western segment of Kato Pafos. Nea Pafos is the ancient city of Pafos, which was founded in the late 4th century BC. Palea Pafos (Old Pafos) was in fact Kouklia, southeast of today's Pafos, and the site of the Sanctuary of Aphrodite.

At the time of Nea Pafos, Cyprus was part of the kingdom of the Ptolemies, the Graeco-Macedonian rulers of Egypt whose capital was Alexandria. The city became an important strategic outpost for the Ptolemies, and the settlement grew considerably over the next seven centuries.

The city was originally encircled by massive walls and occupied an area of about 950,000 sq metres, reaching several hundred metres east of today's Leoforos Apostolou Pavlou. The streets were laid out in a rectangular grid pattern, and archaeological excavations have shown evidence of commercial and cultural activity over the life of the city. Nea Pafos was ceded to the Romans in 58 BC but remained the centre of all political and administrative life in Cyprus, reaching its zenith during the 2nd or 3rd century AD. It was during this time that the city's most opulent public buildings were constructed, including those that house the famous Pafos mosaics.

Nea Pafos went into decline following an earthquake in the 4th century that badly damaged the city, as well as many other cities on the island. Subsequently, Salamis in the east became the new capital of Cyprus, and Nea Pafos was relegated to the status of a mere bishopric. It was at this time that the fine Hrysopolitissa Basilica was built. Arab raids in the 7th century set the seal on the city's demise and neither Lusignan settlement (1192-1489) nor Venetian and Ottoman colonisation revived Nea Pafos' fortunes.

The archaeological site is being excavated slowly since it is widely believed that there are many treasures still to be discovered. Visitors can spend a busy half-day exploring the digs. Access to the Pafos Archaeological Site is via the entrance at the western end of the large harbour car park.