PAPHOS ARCHAEOLGICAL PARK

 

THE HOUSE OF DIONYSOS

In 1962 when ground work was being carried out at Paphos ,some mosaic fragments were found and the Department of Antiquities were  called in and all ground work was stopped , and between 1962 and 1965 under the direction of the late K.Nicolaou of the Department of Antiquities, a number of mosaic floors were found belonging to a large villa, which was named the House of Dionysos.

The house appears to have been built in the 2nd Century .A.D. and was destroyed after a series of eathquakes that struck the region in the first half of the 4th Century .A.D.,

The residence probably belonged to a wealthy merchant and to show off his wealth had the mosaics laid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE VILLA OF THESEUS

In 1966 work was being carried out which uncovered the remains of several buildings, which was found to be one villa, which is now known as the Villa of Theseus.

The villa is the largest villa to be found in Cyprus up to date , and dates from the 4th Century .B.C.

Evidence suggests that the villa was possibly started in the 2nd Century .A.D. on ruins of a earlier house of the Hellenistic and Roman period,as you look round the villa you will see the building was very grand ,the villa surrounded a large court yard on all four sides,the villa had two functions an official and a domestic residence part, which were defined by the decoration and marble in the official rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HOUSE OF ORPHEUS

In 1942 when British troops were digging trenches a mosaic was found but the trench was filled in and forgotten. In 1963 some excavation work was carried out and in 1978 also in 1982 and again in 1984 when the mosaic of Orpheus charming the beasts was discovered, also mosaics The Amazon and Hercules and the Lion of Nemea were found at the same time.

The exavation work carried out has only uncovered three mosaics which are housed under a large stucture, but in 2006 due to a storm the structure was damaged and the mosaics covered over to protect them.

 

TH HOUSE OF AION

Excavations carried out in 1983 in the street that run along the front of the House of Theseus uncovered the remains of a wall which had fallen into the street, when further excavations were carried out, the entrance hall and the mosaic floors were found and the name The House of Aion was given.

The mosaics are housed in a large building ,as you go in the first mosaic is of a geometric design as you turn to your left, in the next room the mosaic is in five panels each telling a mythological story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE ODEON

There is the Odeon which was restored in 1973 which looks out over the Agora, which was the focus of the politcal, commerercial, social and religious centre.

To the side of the Odeon is the temple to Asklipeio God of medicine.

 

SANRANTA KOLONES

Sanranta Kolones, which means forty columns, this castle was built from recycling the stone from the surrounding area, but the first castle to stand on this site was a Byzantine castle built about 7th Century .A.D. to protect the city from Arab raids.

The present castle was destroyed in 1222 by an eathquake.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

The audio tour for all of the above will be ready in August 08, coming soon after is the audio tour for the Tomb Of The Kings.