Located in the village of Kouklia, Palepaphos is an archaeologist’s dream. Read our article and learn more about this outstanding ancient town.

Paphos is a wonderful location for a holiday. You’ll find plenty to see and do, and of course you’ll want to spend lots of time on those stunning blue flag beaches with the golden sand and crystal-clear waters, but do remember to take time out to explore further afield. Cyprus has so much to offer, and one amazing, awe-inspiring destination to head for, is Palepaphos, a breath-taking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the village of Kouklia, just 16km from Paphos, this ancient town is an archaeologist’s dream. If you have an interest in history, you’ll find this vast site incredibly intriguing. The site has links to the Great Goddess cult, an ancient and mysterious cult worshiping the goddess of fertility, dating back to the Neolithic Period.

There is so much to see and explore at Palepaphos, some of the highlights include…

– The Sanctuary of Aphrodite

One of the most important sites linked to the goddess Aphrodite, this sanctuary has been referenced throughout ancient literature. The site consists of two sanctuaries, one dating back to the Bronze Age, the other to around the 1^st or 2^nd century A.D.

– The Northeast Gate

An imposing structure in the main city wall, the gate dates to the 8^th century B.C. and played a part in the Persian siege of the city in 498 B.C.

– The city wall and the Palace of Hadji Abdulla

Take a ten-minute stroll from the Northeast Gate and you will discover the remains of the city wall, and a palace from the 6^th century B.C., thought to be the home of Palepaphos, the governor of Persia.

– The House of Leda

A visit to the site of the House of Leda is a must, the central dining room has a well-preserved 2^nd century A.D. mosaic floor depicting some stunning scenes from mythology of Leda and the Swan.

– The Church of Panagia Katholiki

This well-preserved church is certainly worth taking a closer look at, as inside, the walls are decorated with traditional 15th century artwork.

– The sugar-cane refinery

Processing sugar cane was an important industry in Palepaphos. The sugar mill and refineries in the coastal plain of Kouklia are well preserved and certainly worth seeing.

– The Lusignian Manor House

Built in the 13^th century, then added to over the centuries, this administrative centre includes a Gothic Hall that many say is one of the most impressive examples of Frankish profane architecture on the island. This building also houses an interesting museum of archaeology.

– Cemeteries

There are several cemeteries within the area, which have yielded many finds of great archaeological interest. Visit the museum in the Lusignian Manor House to view these treasures from the tombs.

 

Will you add Palepaphos to your ‘to do’ list?

The more time you spend in Cyprus, the more you find! There really is a wealth of amazing places to visits, sights to see and activities to take part in. It’s hard to select quite what you’re going to do on your holiday when there’s just so much choice! But imagine how much you could explore, and how many hidden gems you could discover if you owned a property here? From luxury apartments to spacious contemporary villas, we have the perfect home for everyone. Visit our website to find out more.

Cyprus it’s a beautiful, picturesque island with a fantastic climate and golden sand beaches, but there’s a lot more than that.

What do you know about Cyprus? You probably know it’s a beautiful, picturesque island with a fantastic climate and golden sand beaches, but there’s a lot more to Cyprus than that. Here are 10 interesting facts about this amazing island that you probably don’t know…

1. The oldest wine in the world is made in Cyprus

On a visit to Cyprus, you must try the local wine Commandaria. It dates back to before 2000BC and was a favourite of King Richard the Lionheart. It’s a delicious sweet with a high alcohol content.

2. Mark Anthony once gave Cyprus as a gift to Cleopatra

If you want to impress a lady, what do you give her? Flowers, chocolates, or… an island? Due to its ideal location, this strategic spot was certainly a generous gift.

3. Lefkara village was thought to have been visited by Leonardo da Vinci

It is said that Leonardo da Vinci visited the village of Lefkara in the 15th century to buy lace for the alter of Milan Cathedral. We’re sure picturesque Lefkara was truly inspirational for him.

4. Cyprus is home to the world’s oldest perfumes

Due to its rich history, there have been many successful archaeological excavations in Cyprus, and evidence of perfume manufacture dating back to the Bronze Age was just one of the many fascinating finds.

5. The famous Cypriot Halloumi cheese dates back to the Medieval Byzantine period

Delicious halloumi cheese is certainly no recent invention, it was mentioned in an Egyptian cookery book dating back to the 14th century!

6. Cyprus was the first country in the world to put its map on its flag

Before Cyprus included its map on its flag, no other country had ever done this.

7. Cyprus has the cleanest beaches in all of Europe

It’s official, the beaches of Cyprus are the cleanest in all of Europe and have held this title for over a decade. 99.1% of all bathing waters on the island have been classed as ‘excellent quality’.

8. Cyprus is home to more stray cats than actual people

Cyprus is a cat lovers paradise, with stray cats outnumbering residents. If you’d like to help, there are several cat shelters that will happily take donations to help cover vet bills and keep the cats of Cyprus happy and healthy.

9. Nicosia is the only divided administrative capital in the world

With the northern part being under Turkish occupation, Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is the only administratively divided capital in the world.

10. Cyprus is the 3rd largest Mediterranean island

Following behind Sicily and Sardinia, Cyprus is ranks 3rd in terms of both size and population of all the Mediterranean islands.

 

Looking for a beautiful home on a beautiful island?

One fact you simply can’t deny though, is that Cyprus is a wonderful place to live or to own a holiday home. If you’d like to find your dream home here in paradise, then check out our website to discover a wide selection of high-quality properties available right now.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to retire to, or you’d simply like to enjoy a better life, Cyprus is the ideal place to be. Learn why in our article!

There’s something rather magical about Cyprus, with it’s unique location at the crossroads of three continents, it’s rich history and its fascinating place at the heart of mythology. It is no wonder that the allure of Cyprus brings people from all over the globe to its shores, some for a holiday, and others to make Cyprus their permanent home. Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to retire to, or you’d simply like to enjoy a better life overseas, here are 5 great reasons why Cyprus is an ideal location to discover a whole new and improved way of living…

1) The perfect location and the rich history

Being close to three continents, transportation links to Cyprus are incredibly good, no matter where in the world you want to travel to and from. This is great for business travellers and tourists alike. Cyprus is an easy destination to settle into as nearly everyone speak fluent English, and you’ll also find Russian, French and German spoken here. For those who choose Cyprus as their home, there’s a chance to delve deeper into the history of the island and spend more time exploring the historical and archaeological sites than is possible when one visits as a tourist.

2) The wonderful climate 

With year round sunshine, and a wealth of beautiful beaches, you can certainly expect to feel brighter and more positive than when you live in a climate that is dark, dull and cold for much of year. The weather also gives you opportunity to spend more time outdoors, so it’s the perfect climate for anyone who loves outdoor sports and activities.

3) The beautiful and varied scenery

Cyprus is so beautiful, when you live here, you can take time exploring the hiking trails, the beautiful parks and the magnificent Troodos mountains. There are so many breathtaking panoramic views, getting out on a bike or taking a hike is a great way to improve your health and see some awe-inspiring sights at the same time.

4) The slower pace of life and the delicious unique cuisine

There’s no need to rush about when you live in Cyprus, we all take life just a little bit easier here! Leave the hectic lifestyle behind and embrace a new pace of life, where you take time to appreciate the detail, to relax, and to enjoy time spent with friends and family. Gathering to enjoy the unique Cypriot cuisine, Mediterranean dishes with a distinctive Middle Eastern influence, is one of the great pleasures of living in Cyprus, and one that should never be rushed!

5) The more affordable cost of living

You’ll find that most items you buy in Cyprus cost less than in other parts of Europe. So your money will go further and your cost of living will fall. It has been calculated that living in Cyprus is 25% less expensive than the European average cost of living. That’s quite a saving!

Choose your dream home today

Here at Domenica Group we have a wide range of amazing properties available in Cyprus. Visit our website and have a browse, you might just discover your dream home, and take the first step towards your own new life!