Tomb of the kings paphos

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has an incredible history on its shores.

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.

Tomb of the kings paphos

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. Pafos Archaeological Site. Nea Pafos was the ancient city…. Ancient Kourion. Defiantly perched on a hillside, with a sweeping view of the surrounding patchwork fields and the sea, Ancient Kourion is a spectacular site. Most likely….

This website uses cookies and third party services. Stroll along the coastal path to the harbour, explore its historical sites, or even pick up a car with Jet2 Extras and venture further afield. Archangelos Michail.

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, we hopped on a bus to explore these ancient ruins. This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support. Get more info on our Privacy Policy. Tomb Of Kings Entrance Price.

The burial niches were looted of all artifacts long ago, but a powerful sense of stillness and mystery remains. The name of the site is misleading—there's no evidence of any royalty buried here. Rather, the site was the final resting place of about Ptolemaic aristocrats who lived and died in Paphos beginning in the 3rd century BC. Early antiquarians dubbed the site the "Tombs of the Kings" due to the impressiveness of the tombs, and the name has stuck. The catacombs were later used by early Christians , and one of the tombs was turned into a chapel.

Tomb of the kings paphos

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. The Tombs of the Kings is an archeological place and series of underground tombs in Paphos. It is believed that the tombs used to be full of expensive grave goods. The earliest mention in modern times dates back to and a written piece by Richard Pockocke.

Reflective synonyms

The daylight shining through it genuinely makes it magical. When you initially stroll through the historic site, you are met with the first underground burial chambers. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are currently on and will not track any data while they are browsing other sites. These cookies do not store any personal information. Thanks to all the staff who, despite end of season, remained friendly and hospitable. The food and the cocktails in the restaurant are good, and the staff is super polite. Burials continue to take place up to the 3rd-century AD. Archangelos Michail. Fast forward a couple of decades and excavation of the necropolis commenced again in by the Department of Antiquities. It was our first-time visiting Cyprus and we were so impressed.

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The tombs have been known and were explored for centuries. Dating from , the gable-roofed building sits in the lower part of the…. I hope this brief guide was helpful and you decide to add it to your Paphos itinerary, it really is worth the trip! A great 6-night stay. A large complex in the Tombs of the Kings. Landmarks of Paphos. View more attractions. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The apartments are huge and have separated bedrooms for kids and the parents and a big living room. While everyone else headed to the beach, we hopped on a bus to explore these ancient ruins.