Paphos, Coastal archaeological complex in Paphos, Cyprus.
Paphos is a coastal town in southwestern Cyprus that includes both a modern harbor district and a wide archaeological site with Roman remains. The settlement stretches from the sea up to low hills where Byzantine fortifications and medieval churches stand among palms and pines.
The town emerged in the early 4th century BC as the new capital of the island kingdom and replaced the older inland settlement. It later became the administrative seat of the Roman province and remained a major religious and economic center in the eastern Mediterranean for centuries.
The name comes from Pygmalion's mythical beloved and reflects the coastal town's deep connection to Aphrodite worship. Many churches and monasteries shape religious life today and recall the island's early Christian conversion.
A visit requires several hours and comfortable shoes since many ruins spread across uneven ground. The coastal location brings strong sun and wind, so sun protection and plenty of water are advisable.
Beneath a modern shelter lie some of the most complex ancient mosaic floors in the entire Mediterranean, featuring scenes from over twenty different myths. The town served as the setting for the conversion of Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus by the Apostle Paul in the 1st century.
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