/ history and mystery /
PAPHOS HARBOR CASTLE
Paphos Castle is located near to the harbor of
Paphos. It was a Byzantine fort which was meant for
providing protection to the harbor. It was destroyed
by an earthquake, due to which in 1200s Franks
rebuild it. Venetians once again broke it, later it was
again refortified by Ottomans after they get control
over it in 1570. Lastly, in the twentieth century Brit-
ish started using it as a warehouse for salt.
TOMBS OF THE KINGS
Tombs of the Kings is amongst the most popular
places in Paphos. It is located at a distance of around
2 km in the west direction of Paphos harbor. These
tombs are underground and many of them are as old
as fourth century BC.
They have been carved out from solid rocks and
are considered to be the burial place of aristocrats
and senior officials of Paphos till third century AD.
It gets its name from the grandness of these tombs,
and in reality no king is buried there. This place is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
BATH OF APHRODITE
Another mythical place in Paphos is Bath of Aph-
rodite which is situated in the Akamas Peninsula.
As per legend, it is believed that Aphrodite, goddess
of love used to take bath in the lovely pools of this
magnificent cave. This natural cave is surrounded
by a huge tree of fig and has varied and rich natural
flora, fauna and wildlife. The site is also believed to
be where Aphrodite met her lover Adonis for the
first time.
These pools are associated with several myths,
one of them being that if someone takes a bath
in these pools his/her fertility will be reinstated.
However, now no one is permitted to go into these
natural pools.
• 2018 EDITION
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