it is linked to the very origins of monasticism in Cyprus. According to tradition, the monastery was founded around 300 AD by Agios Nicolas and Agios Eftychios, as a place of prayer and contemplation. A sacred relic which had been given to Agios Nicolas and a piece of the cloak of the Virgin Mary were kept at the monastery until 1754.
Choulou village 22km northeast of Pafos, during the middle ages it was a well-known feudal village, associated with the popular Cypriot folk song, Arodafnousa. Significant churches in the village are the church of Panagia Plantanassa with 16th century frescoes, the Byzantine chapel of Agios Georgios and the 12th century chapel of Agios Theodoros.
EAST of Pafos
Geroskipou village 3km east of Pafos, the name derives from the classical Greek Hieros Kipos meaning Sacred garden. It is believed that in ancient times it used to be an extensive area of beautiful gardens, dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Today the gardens have been replaced by the modern village renowned for its Cyprus delights sweets.
Agia Paraskevi is one of the most interesting and beautiful Byzantine churches in Cyprus. It dates to the 9th century and is a three-aisled five-domed basilica. Its frescoes date from the 9th to the 15th century.
The folk art museum is housed in the 18th century house of Hadjismith. It carries a rich collection of Cypriot folk art and crafts consisting of pottery, kilims and scarves, as well as tools used in silk production. The building is named after Sir Sidney Smith, a British admiral, who appointed the owner of the house, Andreas as British council. Thus the house came to be referred to as the house of Hadjismith.
Sanctuary of Aphrodite and Palaipafos museum
The sanctuary is situated in Kouklia village, 14km east of Pafos. Palaipafos was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the classical Greek world and one of the city-kingdoms of Cyprus in antiquity. Here lie the ruins of the famous sanctuary of Aphrodite, whose remains date back to the 12th century BC. The sanctuary remained a place of worship until the 3rd or 4h century AD. The museum is housed in a nearby Lusignan manor. It houses impressive finds from the region, dating from the Chalcolithic Age to the Middle ages. it portrays how the cult of the goddess of fertility developed into the cult of Aphrodite. Excavations are continuing at the sanctuary, as well as in and around the ruins of the town and the necropolis.
Choulou village 22km northeast of Pafos, during the middle ages it was a well-known feudal village, associated with the popular Cypriot folk song, Arodafnousa. Significant churches in the village are the church of Panagia Plantanassa with 16th century frescoes, the Byzantine chapel of Agios Georgios and the 12th century chapel of Agios Theodoros.
EAST of Pafos
Geroskipou village 3km east of Pafos, the name derives from the classical Greek Hieros Kipos meaning Sacred garden. It is believed that in ancient times it used to be an extensive area of beautiful gardens, dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Today the gardens have been replaced by the modern village renowned for its Cyprus delights sweets.
Agia Paraskevi is one of the most interesting and beautiful Byzantine churches in Cyprus. It dates to the 9th century and is a three-aisled five-domed basilica. Its frescoes date from the 9th to the 15th century.
The folk art museum is housed in the 18th century house of Hadjismith. It carries a rich collection of Cypriot folk art and crafts consisting of pottery, kilims and scarves, as well as tools used in silk production. The building is named after Sir Sidney Smith, a British admiral, who appointed the owner of the house, Andreas as British council. Thus the house came to be referred to as the house of Hadjismith.
Sanctuary of Aphrodite and Palaipafos museum
The sanctuary is situated in Kouklia village, 14km east of Pafos. Palaipafos was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the classical Greek world and one of the city-kingdoms of Cyprus in antiquity. Here lie the ruins of the famous sanctuary of Aphrodite, whose remains date back to the 12th century BC. The sanctuary remained a place of worship until the 3rd or 4h century AD. The museum is housed in a nearby Lusignan manor. It houses impressive finds from the region, dating from the Chalcolithic Age to the Middle ages. it portrays how the cult of the goddess of fertility developed into the cult of Aphrodite. Excavations are continuing at the sanctuary, as well as in and around the ruins of the town and the necropolis.