Tomb of the kings paphos

If you love exploring old cities and historic towns, a morning at The Tomb of Kings in Paphos is a must while travelling around Cyprus. While everyone else headed to the beach, tomb of the kings paphos, we hopped on a bus to explore these ancient ruins. This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

Getty Images. Imagine yourself surrounded by ancient tombs in a desertlike landscape where the only sounds are waves crashing on rocks. Despite the name, the tombs were not actually used by royalty; they earned the title from their grand appearance. Located 2km north of Kato Pafos, the tombs are unique in Cyprus, being heavily influenced by ancient Egyptian tradition, when it was believed that tombs for the dead should resemble houses for the living. The seven excavated tombs are scattered over a wide area; the most impressive is No 3, which has an open atrium below ground level, surrounded by columns. Other tombs have niches built into the walls where bodies were stored. Kato Pafos.

Tomb of the kings paphos

The underground tombs , many of which date back to the 4th century BC, are carved out of solid rock, and are thought to have been the burial sites of Paphitic aristocrats and high officials up to the third century AD the name comes from the magnificence of the tombs; no kings were in fact buried here. The tombs are cut into the native rock , and at times imitated the houses of the living. The tombs have been known and casually explored for centuries. In the first excavations under scientific supervision took place, led by Menelaos Markides, who was the curator of the Cyprus Museum. Systematic excavations took place in the late s and the s under the direction of Dr Sophocles Hadjisavvas, former Director of Antiquities of the Republic of Cyprus. Dr Hadjisavvas is preparing the finds for publication with assistance from the Australian archaeological mission to Paphos. Part of the importance of the tombs lies in the Paphian habit of including Rhodian amphorae among the offerings in a burial. Through the manufacturing stamps placed on the handles of these amphorae, it is possible to give them a date and, through them, the other material from the same burial. Thus, it is hoped to develop a more secure chronology for archaeological material in the Eastern Mediterranean of the Hellenistic and early Roman periods. It is reported that much of the information related to the tombs was lost over time. Several factors contributed to that: It is believed that many of the tombs were rich in expensive grave goods, despite the fact that very few of such goods were to found by the official archaeological missions, and thus it is believed that grave robbers of the past were responsible. Despite those obstacles, the historical significance of the Tombs is well established among experts and locals. Contents move to sidebar hide.

I would highly recommend this treat, Petra the massage therapist was exceptional. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has an incredible history on its shores. The alluring coastal city of Paphos in the southwest is awash with ancient ruins. Not only will you be basking on the Blue Flag beaches in Paphos with miles of shimmering azure ocean at your feet, but you can also embark on a voyage of discovery around its necropolis. You must allow a couple of hours to fully explore the underground necropolis and catacombs. Never underestimate what lies below the earth beneath your feet. Burials continue to take place up to the 3rd-century AD. Firstly, a bit of a spoiler alert as actually there are no Kings buried here.

Want to visit Tombs of the Kings in Paphos? Strolling around the Tombs of the Kings will give you some serious Indiana Jones feelings, and in some of the caves, you can even walk inside and explore further. The main two tombs are probably the best-preserved place, but the surrounding tombs and ruins are also impressive to see. You should probably dedicate at least 2 hours for the visit in order to see the main sites. Most of the ancient site is open for visitors, but some archeological excavations are still on-going, and new findings are made from time to time. These tombs are carved out from solid rock and are despite the name believed to have been the burial sites of Paphos aristocrats and high officials from the 4th century BC until 3rd century AD. As you can see, the tombs are carved out perfectly, which is quite incredible considering that many of them date back to the 4th century BC.

Tomb of the kings paphos

On the coast of Cyprus, Paphos is a beautiful city to visit. Rich with history, the Tombs of the Kings are a captivating site to tour and are a great addition to the itinerary of any visitors to Cyprus. Carved into the cliffs overlooking the sea, the Tombs will leave any visitor with a stunning impression of this seaside site. The site is open to the public year round, so regardless of when a visitor is traveling to Cyprus, they can be added as a stop except for a few holidays. The architecture, beauty, and solemnity of the Tombs of the Kings deserve a visit by anyone interested in the history of Cyprus. This ancient site offers a time capsule to an era centuries ago. While the title is something of a misnomer, the necropolis catered to the elite, not just royalty. The passing of time has worn away some of the splendor of the necropolis, with frescoes mostly absent. However, a visitor can still appreciate the stunning beauty in which the elite of ancient Paphos chose to spend their eternity.

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You are free to go off and explore the hidden catacombs and passages for yourself. The Spa pool was great as outdoor pools whilst inviting were not heated. Photo provided by Monica Digital Roamads. There are burial chambers everywhere, tomb after tomb, some of which are deep underground. Faros Beach. Leah from here again. View more attractions. Awesome friendly service and great atmosphere! The best service ever, very clean and quiet, nice pools and very good security. Hrysopolitissa Basilica. The apartment was cleaned every 3 days and towels replaced. Roman Theatre. I will definitely come back again! Officer Travels is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. Huge natural pieces of rock protrude from the ground and appear like massive boulders.

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has an incredible history on its shores. The alluring coastal city of Paphos in the southwest is awash with ancient ruins. Not only will you be basking on the Blue Flag beaches in Paphos with miles of shimmering azure ocean at your feet, but you can also embark on a voyage of discovery around its necropolis.

Imagine yourself surrounded by ancient tombs in a desertlike landscape where the only sounds are waves crashing on rocks. Kato Pafos. Unequivocally yes, we would return tomorrow. Carved out of solid natural rock Explore the burial chambers and crypts. Jet2holidays offers several departure locations around the UK, we selected to hop aboard the Jet2holidays flight from London Stansted Airport. Privacy Policy Cookie Policy. We liked the option to check in, in advance, so when we arrived the process was very quick and the man at the reception was very nice and welcoming! May 28th, 0 Comments. There are burial chambers everywhere, tomb after tomb, some of which are deep underground. The cleaning staff did a great job, thoroughly cleaning the apartment top to bottom every 3 days. I hope this brief guide was helpful and you decide to add it to your Paphos itinerary, it really is worth the trip! Most people visit Pedoulas to see this extraordinary Unesco-listed church. The best service ever, very clean and quiet, nice pools and very good security.