Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, Ancient religious sanctuary in Kourion, Cyprus
The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates is an ancient religious site in Kourion featuring temple ruins from multiple periods. The grounds contain a temple structure with columns, surrounded by stone walls and foundations of altars and auxiliary buildings.
This sanctuary began in the eighth century BC as a religious site. A major earthquake in the fourth century AD destroyed the temple and ended its use for roughly a thousand years.
People came here to perform rituals asking Apollo to protect their woodlands and crops from harm. The remains of animal offerings found throughout the site show how central this sanctuary was to their spiritual life.
The site is easily walkable and paths between the ruins are clearly marked throughout. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as shade is limited across the grounds.
During later reconstruction, builders incorporated architectural elements from the distant Nabatean culture, creating an unexpected blend of different ancient building styles. This rare combination allows visitors to see multiple cultural traditions reflected in a single structure.
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