The Archaeology of Ancient Cyprus 7942

We depart from London to Cyprus and upon our arrival we transfer to our hotel in Limassol. Later this evening, we reconvene for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the site of Khirokitia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This exceptionally well-preserved Neolithic walled village is home to over 60 stone round houses. Following this we visit the village of Kalavasos, situated on the west bank of the Vasiliko River. Here the settlement of Tenta is of special interest, an aceramic Neolithic settlement that dates back to 7000BC and is one of the most significant sites on the island. According to local tradition its name dates to 327AD when St. Helen – mother of Constantine the Great stayed in a tent (tenta) at this location during her visit to the island following the discovery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Our last visit of the day is to the Amathous Archaeological Site, which has yielded some interesting finds such as the Agora, public baths, the Temple of Aphrodite, early Christian Basilicas and several tombs.

Today we have a full day discovering the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. A settlement since the Bronze Age, the city has been continuously inhabited for almost 5000 years. We have a visit to the Cyprus Archaeological Museum which is home to the world’s most extensive collection of Cypriot archaeology. We have lunch in a local taverna with wine included, followed by some free time to explore the old town, including the well-preserved Venetian walls, built in an (ultimately futile) attempt to defend the city from the Ottoman invasion. There is also the chance to cross the green line into Turkish Cyprus at the Ledra check point.

Today is yours to spend at your leisure.

After breakfast we check out of our hotel and head to our first visit of the day, the Kourion Archaeological site which is one of Cyprus’s most important city-kingdoms from antiquity. Built on a hillside, overlooking the valley of the River Kouris, the site has revealed evidence that suggested the inhabitants of Kourion believed they were descendants of Argean immigrants. This once thriving kingdom was decimated in a severe earthquake in 365AD. The centrepiece of the site is the impressive Greco-Roman theatre that was built in the 2nd century BC and further extended during the 2nd century AD. Other remains include the private villa ‘House of Eustolios’ where we can see the remains of 5th century mosaic floors and a bathing complex. More impressive mosaic floors can be found in the ‘House of Achilles’ and the ‘House of the Gladiators’ – named after the images depicted in the mosaics.
Our next visit is to the Sanctuary of Apollon Hylates (God of the Woodland). The sanctuary was built around 100AD and was one of the most important religious centres in Cyprus.
The final stop of the day is Aphrodite’s Rock, the goddess’s mythical birthplace. According to legend the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty (known to the Romans as Venus), was born from the sea foam here and was escorted on a shell to the beach, an iconic scene frequently depicted in Western art.
We later head to our hotel in Paphos where the evening is at leisure.

Today we have a long but rewarding day. Our first visit after breakfast is the Archaeological Park at Kato Pafos (Paphos), which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980. Here we discover sites and monuments from the 4th century through to the Middle Ages, while most of the remains date to the Roman period. There are four Roman villas which house intricate mosaic floors to discover, as well as the Asklepieion, the Odeon, the Agora and the Saranta Kolones Castle.
We then head to Paphos Archaeological Museum. Here we explore the collection of finds from the region dating from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD. Separated into five rooms covering different periods of time, the first room covers the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age, the second the Iron Age and classical period and the third presents the Hellenistic and Roman periods. In the fourth room we find items from the late Roman and Christian periods and the final room showcases artefacts from the Byzantine periods and Middle Ages.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we depart for the Tomb of the Kings, near Paphos, an elaborate rock-cut necropolis which dates from the 3rd century BC and features frescoed walls and Doric columns. Another of Cyprus’s most significant sites that has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage site list since 1980.
This afternoon we visit Lemba Archaeological Project, home to prehistoric projects in western Cyprus for over 30 years.

Today is yours to spend relaxing. Later this evening we enjoy a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London