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SANCTUARY OF APHRODITE
Kouklia village, 14 km east of Paphos, of the Limassol - Paphos road, Tel: 26 43 21 80 Palaipaphos, Old Paphos, was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world, and once city-kingdom of Cyprus. Here stood the famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite, the most ancient remains of which date back to the 12th century BC. The glorious days of the sanctuary lasted till the 3rd-4th century. The museum, housed in the Lusignan Manor, contains many interesting finds from the area, and excavations continue on the site of the sanctuary, the city and the necropolis.
PETRA TOY ROMIOU - BIRTHPLACE OF APHRODITE
25 km east of Paphos.
According to legend, Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou The Rock of the Greek' is associated with the legendary frontier-guard of Byzantine times Digenis Akritas, who kept the marauding Saracens at bay with amazing strength. It is said that he heaved this large rock into the sea destroying the enemy's ship.
PANAGIA CHRYSELEOUSA CHURCH
Polemi village
A complex of two churches. The oldest is the northern one which is a domed cross-in-square type building possibly of the 12th century. Later in the 18th century a barrel-vaulted church was added to the south. Excellent 16th century icons survive on the iconostasis.
METOCHI MONIS KYKKOU
Polemi village
An interesting group of buildings of traditional architecture, known as "Metochi tou Kykkou", can be found in the north-western part of the village. Today it is used as a Cultural Centre for the local community.
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