Why Visit the Tombs of the Kings? The Tombs of the Kings is one of those attractions where the architecture is as impressive as the history behind it. Walking down into a huge rock-cut courtyard surrounded by ancient columns gives you a very different experience from visiting a conventional museum or ruined building. The tombs also reveal an important aspect of ancient Paphos that can easily be overlooked: the way wealthy people wanted to be remembered and how their social status was reflected in their burial places. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic_EFFOUHuM What are the Tombs of the Kings in Cyprus? The Tombs of the Kings is one of the most impressive ancient sites in Paphos, consisting of monumental underground tombs carved directly into the rock. Despite its name, the site was not actually used to bury kings. The tombs were built for high-ranking officials and members of the aristocracy during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Their monumental size, columns and elaborate design gave the necropolis its grand name. The site forms part of the archaeological heritage of Kato Paphos and is included within the UNESCO World Heritage property of Paphos. The History of the Tombs of the Kings The necropolis developed around the time that Nea Paphos was established at the end of the 4th century BC. Following the abolition of the ancient Cypriot kingdoms, Paphos became an important Hellenistic city under the Ptolemaic dynasty. Wealthy families and senior officials were buried in elaborate rock-cut tombs outside the city. The largest and most impressive tombs date mainly from the Hellenistic period, although the cemetery continued to be used during the Roman period. The monumental architecture reflects the wealth and status of the people buried here. Why Are They Called the Tombs of the Kings? The name is one of the site’s most interesting details. There were no kings buried here. By the time these monumental tombs were being constructed, the traditional Cypriot city-kingdoms had already been abolished. Instead, the tombs belonged to wealthy members of society, including high-ranking officials and aristocratic families. Their impressive architecture led later visitors to associate the site with royalty. The name has survived and has become one of the most recognisable attraction names in Cyprus. Rock-Cut Architecture What makes the Tombs of the Kings so impressive is the way they were constructed. Rather than simply being underground chambers, several of the tombs were designed to resemble houses for the dead. A stairway, known as a dromos, can lead down into a central courtyard, around which burial chambers are arranged. Some tombs feature columns and peristyle courtyards inspired by the architecture of the houses of the living. This design provides an insight into ancient attitudes towards death and the afterlife. The tombs were not simply places to put the dead; they were carefully designed spaces that reflected the status and identity of the people buried within them. The Greek & Hellenistic Influence The architecture of the tombs reflects the strong connections between Cyprus and the wider Hellenistic world. Some of the designs have similarities with tombs discovered in Alexandria, demonstrating the close cultural and commercial relationships between Paphos and the major cities of the eastern Mediterranean during the Hellenistic period. The influence can be seen particularly in the use of columns, courtyards and architectural layouts inspired by domestic buildings. Exploring the Tombs Visitors can walk down into several of the rock-cut complexes and explore their courtyards and chambers. The scale varies considerably between individual tombs. Some are relatively simple, while others are much more elaborate, with columns, niches and large underground spaces. The effect is particularly striking when you first descend below ground level and see the monumental courtyard carved from the surrounding limestone. The open courtyards also create interesting contrasts between bright Mediterranean sunlight above and the shaded chambers below. The Archaeology of the Site The necropolis has experienced a complicated history since antiquity. Over the centuries, the tombs were disturbed, reused and looted, while some of the surrounding rock was also quarried. As a result, the original contents of many tombs have not survived. Nevertheless, the surviving architecture provides valuable evidence about burial customs, social status and the connections between Paphos and the wider Hellenistic world. The site is particularly valuable because the tombs preserve architectural ideas that would otherwise be difficult to understand from fragmentary remains. The Tombs & UNESCO The Tombs of the Kings forms part of the archaeological heritage of Paphos, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. UNESCO’s description of Paphos specifically identifies the rock-hewn necropolis alongside the city’s villas, theatres, fortifications and other archaeological remains as part of the property’s outstanding universal value. This means the Tombs of the Kings should not be viewed in isolation. It forms part of a much larger archaeological story connecting ancient Paphos with the worship of Aphrodite and the development of the city through the Hellenistic, Roman and later periods. Where Are the Tombs of the Kings? The site is located in Kato Paphos, close to the modern town and coastline. Its location makes it easy to combine with other attractions in the area, particularly Paphos Archaeological Park and the harbour. If you are interested in ancient history, it is worth visiting both sites because they reveal very different sides of ancient Paphos. The archaeological park focuses heavily on urban life, villas and mosaics, while the Tombs of the Kings provides a fascinating insight into burial customs and the social elite. Visiting the Tombs of the Kings The site is open throughout the year, with longer opening hours during the summer season. The official Cyprus tourism information currently lists the site as partially accessible to wheelchair users, although access to the underground areas can be limited. Opening hours and admission prices can change, so visitors should check current information before travelling. Because much of the site is exposed, it is worth taking water, sun protection and suitable footwear, particularly during the hotter months. Combined with the nearby archaeological park, the Tombs
Paphos Archaeological Park
Why Visit Paphos Archaeological Park? If you are staying in Paphos, this is one historic attraction that deserves a place high on your itinerary. Found right at the main seafront it is a UNESCO world heritage site, and also includes the iconic lighthouse. Spend an hour or spend 3 and you will be amazed at what you see. What is Paphos Archaeological Park? Paphos Archaeological Park is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus, covering the remains of ancient Nea Paphos near the modern harbour. The site contains monuments dating from the Hellenistic period through to the Middle Ages, although many of its most impressive remains belong to the Roman period. It is particularly famous for the beautifully preserved mosaic floors of its Roman villas, which depict scenes from Greek mythology and everyday life. Paphos Archaeological Park forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage property of Paphos, recognised for its exceptional archaeological and cultural importance. For visitors, the park offers an opportunity to walk through the remains of an ancient city while enjoying the Mediterranean setting of modern Kato Paphos. Rather than being a single monument, it is a large archaeological landscape containing houses, public buildings, theatres, fortifications, churches and tombs. The History of Paphos Archaeological Park The ancient city of Nea Paphos was established near the harbour towards the end of the 4th century BC. According to the official Cyprus tourism information, Nicocles, the last king of Palaipaphos, moved the city to the area of present-day Kato Paphos. Nea Paphos subsequently became an important political and economic centre and was the capital of Cyprus from the 2nd century BC through much of the Roman period. The location was particularly important because of its harbour and position on the eastern Mediterranean trade routes. Over the centuries, the city developed into a substantial urban centre with wealthy private residences, public buildings and religious monuments. The archaeological remains reveal how the city changed under Hellenistic, Roman and later Christian influence. Earthquakes, changing political circumstances and the gradual decline of the ancient city eventually transformed the landscape, but substantial remains survived beneath the ground and were progressively uncovered through archaeological excavation. Today, the park forms one of the most important archaeological attractions in western Cyprus. The Roman Mosaics The mosaics are undoubtedly the highlight of Paphos Archaeological Park. Four Roman villas – the House of Dionysus, House of Theseus, House of Aion and House of Orpheus – contain some of the site’s most impressive floors. The mosaics use intricate geometric patterns and colourful scenes to depict gods, heroes, mythological stories, animals and scenes from ancient life. The House of Dionysus is particularly famous. Its mosaics include scenes connected with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, as well as stories from Greek mythology. The House of Theseus is another major attraction, named after a mosaic depicting the mythological hero Theseus. The scale of the villa provides an insight into the wealth and lifestyle of the people who lived in ancient Paphos. What makes these mosaics especially interesting is that they are not simply decorative. They provide clues about the stories, beliefs, artistic traditions and daily life of the people who lived in the city nearly two thousand years ago. The Ancient Theatre The park also contains the remains of the ancient Odeon, a small stone theatre that was used for musical and theatrical performances. The Odeon is one of the more complete ancient structures within the archaeological park and remains an atmospheric place to visit. Its curved seating and stage area give visitors an idea of how public performances would have taken place in ancient Paphos. Nearby are the remains of the Agora, which formed an important public space in the ancient city. Saranta Kolones Another fascinating part of the site is Saranta Kolones, or the Castle of Forty Columns. The fortress takes its name from the numerous granite columns that were incorporated into its construction. Although the medieval castle is now largely ruined, its remains demonstrate the continuing importance of Paphos long after the Roman period. Walking among the fallen columns, walls and arches gives the site a different character from the Roman villas and mosaics. Early Christian Paphos Paphos Archaeological Park is not solely an ancient Greek and Roman site. The remains also demonstrate the development of Christianity on the island. The ruins of the Limeniotissa Basilica are evidence of the city’s early Christian period. The large basilica was decorated with mosaics and formed part of the developing Christian community in Paphos. Other remains around the park show how the city continued to evolve as religious and political circumstances changed. A UNESCO World Heritage Site Paphos was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. The UNESCO property includes the archaeological remains of Kato Paphos as well as Palaipaphos at nearby Kouklia. Together, the sites demonstrate the importance of Paphos from antiquity onwards and its long association with the worship of Aphrodite. UNESCO specifically highlights the area’s villas, theatres, fortifications, tombs and exceptional mosaics. The mosaics of Nea Paphos are regarded as particularly significant examples of ancient art. Visiting Paphos Archaeological Park The archaeological park is close to Paphos harbour, making it easy to combine with a visit to the seafront and other attractions in Kato Paphos. Allow at least a couple of hours if you want to explore the main remains properly. The site is extensive, and there is plenty to see beyond the headline mosaics. The Cyprus tourism authorities currently list the site as open throughout the year, with seasonal opening hours. Opening times and admission prices can change, so it is worth checking the latest information before visiting. Why Visit Paphos Archaeological Park? Paphos Archaeological Park is one of those places where the history is easy to visualise. Walking between the remains of ancient villas, standing beside beautifully preserved mosaics and looking towards the Mediterranean gives a real sense of the scale and importance of ancient Paphos. It is also an attraction that works well
