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Paphos: tombs of Kings and medieval castle. My trip of Nov 27, 2018
by Evgeny Praisman
Medieval fortress, a long walk along the embankment and the necropolis of the kings. It was wonderful adventure! Translated with Google Translate
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Evgeny Praisman (author)
I'm a professional historian and tour guide. I have visited almost 50 countries and more than 300 cities and share my routs through Pinsteps easily and with a big pleasure. Hope you will enjoy my pathways and share them with your friends!
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Paphos Castle
Uploaded by Evgeny Praisman
This building is called the Paphos Castle. In fact, the small fort, which stands on the ancient mole in the western part of the port of the Roman city of Nea Paphos, was never a castle. He was included in the coastal defense system of Cyprus during the reign of the famous Cypriot medieval French knight dynasty Lusignan. This is actually a Frankish tower inside the Venetian wall. After the capture of the island by the Turkish, the destruction and restoration of the tower in 1592, the "castle" formed its current look. This is evidenced by the inscription, carved on a marble plate, mounted in the tower wall above the entrance. Translated with Google Translate
It seems that the fortifications of Paphos during the reign of the Byzantine Empire were built approximately at the same place. The remains of the tower, incorporated by the Turks into the modern building that has come down to us since the days of the Ottoman Empire, were built by the French rulers of Cyprus from the Lusignan dynasty. They erected these fortifications after a devastating war with the Saracens in 1222 AD. The two towers were connected by a suspension bridge. When the Genoese seized the port in 1373 AD, they raised the height of their fortress walls and formed a moat separating the fort from the coast. They managed to do this simply because they reduced the part of the Franconian pier, which provided access from the sea tower to the coastline. Translated with Google Translate
These port fortifications did not last long. Franconian towers lay in ruins from the end of the 15th century AD, after they were destroyed during the earthquake. Shortly before the Ottoman conquest of 1570, the Venetians decided to finally destroy what was left of the two towers. For this, they even used explosives. It was probably one of the first ever uses of gunpowder for purposeful tactical destruction. Venetian merchants expected to establish protection of the island in three port cities: Famagusta, Lecosia and Kyrenia. Paphos, on the other hand, was destined not to fall to the enemy, and therefore to be destroyed even before the arrival of the enemy forces. Translated with Google Translate
The Ottoman restoration of the western Frankish tower, its Venetian additions and the remains of the second tower have reached our days. The first floor consists of a central hall with small rooms, which were used as prison cells. For long-term detention, two small underground chambers (oubliettes) were used. The small Turkish garrison lived in the upper floor rooms and used the central room as a mosque. Translated with Google Translate
On the roof of the castle there were twelve loopholes in which the corresponding number of guns was installed. They were decommissioned and dismantled by the Turks in 1878, when they transferred the island's rule to the British. During the British rule, the castle was used as a salt store. In 1935, in accordance with the Law on Antiquities, it was declared a historical monument. Since then, the castle is restored and protected by the Department of Antiquities. Translated with Google Translate
Piece of art on the broadway
This piece of modern art has been preserved since the days of Eco Art - one of the most ambitious (or less clear?) Projects of Pafos 2017. It was held under the title: "Paths on a common ground". The curator of the project, Tuli Misirloglu, invited such contemporary artists as Kostis Velonis, Stavros Panayyatakis, Hermann Pitz, Mimmo Rubino, Rinos Stefani, Marinos Tsaggarakis, Horst Weierstall and performers Marios Hadzhipokopiu, Antonis Antonio and Anne Tsakuu to participate. The project emphasizes the relationship between nature and nature, opens a dialogue on the most important issues of life and creates an important legacy in contemporary art in Cyprus. If I had not read it, I would never have known what kind of post with a wax seal on a rope. And now I also did not learn anything, but I heard clever words and a bunch of different names. Modern Art. Here it is. Translated with Google Translate
Nice lagoon
This small lagoon was so close and so accessible that it was simply not possible not to approach it. Its waters were surprisingly calm compared to another part of the coast. There were a lot of dried algae here and they covered the entire coast like a lush carpet. Beauty and peace reigned here. Translated with Google Translate
Lighthouse beach snack bar
This beach at the lighthouse was a real time machine. It seemed to take him in the 60s and 70s to the years of the 20th century. Peacefully hung towels on the railing, flanges, ropes and more - everywhere. 70s music. Types of semi-desert and sloppy. Flags proud and rushing against the background of pastoral pastoral and only there were not enough buzzing flies - it's clear that it is cold already - not the season. Translated with Google Translate
Kefalos Beach Tourist Village
When they talk about buying property in Cyprus with a sea view and a private beach, the subconscious draws different types and landscapes. But, it is better to see once, as they say. Looks like this. It is impossible to generalize, of course, but some impression is taking shape. In general, there were many "flashbacks" from the 90s of Israel. Some of the species in general reminded Mount Carmel in the Tirat aCarmel region. Translated with Google Translate
An ambush awaited us here :) The territory of the elite complex Elysium did not imply a passage to the park of the Reserve of the Tombs of the Kings reserve. There is an impassable fence here. So I had to go around and it was not the most beautiful and pleasant route. Civilization behind the fence ended and there were further wild places. Translated with Google Translate
Tombs of the kings
"Tombs of the Kings" is an impressive necropolis, which is located near the former fortress walls, to the northeast of the historic city of Paphos. It was built during the Hellenistic period (3rd century BC) to meet the burial needs of the newly rebuilt Nea-Paphos. The name of the necropolis is not associated with the burial of the kings, since the royal rule was abolished by the heirs of Alexander the Great back in 312 BC. This name of the necropolis is rather connected with the impressive character of its burial grounds. "Tombs of the Kings" was the place where senior administrative officials and prominent personalities of the Ptolemies dynasty, as well as their family members, were buried. The necropolis was used as burial during the Hellenistic and Roman periods (3rd century BC - beginning of the 4th century AD). There is ample evidence to support the fact that early Christians also used this necropolis for their burials. However, in the early Christian era, this place became an endless career. Translated with Google Translate
Cimetery N ° 1 tomb of the Kings
This is one of the most simple and relatively late burials. Here niches were used for the repose of bodies and large stone slabs covered these niches. Looks a bit unusual entrance. He is too tall. Nevertheless, it is possible to see part of the cut stone approximately in the middle of the height. This is probably due to the fact that the initial level of the entrance to the burial chamber has changed and it has become necessary to create a new, higher one. Translated with Google Translate
The existence of the tombs has been known since the end of the XIX century. A Chesnoloa, engaged in systematic robbery of the complex in search of treasure. In 1915-16, the then curator of the Cyprus Museum Markides unearthed some mining graves, and the honorary curator of the Paphos Museum, Loizos Filippo, began a systematic study of several tombs in 1937. But it was only in 1977 that scientific excavations were carried out by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, as a result of which eight large grave complexes were discovered. Translated with Google Translate
This funerary complex consists of two tombs. The first tomb has a peristyle atrium (a courtyard with columns), and in the northwest corner there is a covered corridor consisting of twelve steps. To the left of the entrance is a water tank. This water was used for ritual purposes. Ossuaries are located on the north and south walls. Four Doric columns support each side of the roof. The capitals on the columns are symmetrical and crowned with a frieze of triglyphs and metopes. Translated with Google Translate
Originally, the tombs were covered with stucco, and the walls were decorated with frescoes. Translated with Google Translate
Behind the colonnades, the aisles lead to rooms with niches (lokulah) for laying bodies The bodies were buried with expensive items, including jewelry and beauty products. Translated with Google Translate
A hole in the northeast corner was made by marauders and led to another grave. The second tomb corresponds to the same architectural style with a column atrium. The entrance is located to the north-west and has a stepped corridor. Inside the main chamber are burial lokuly. Translated with Google Translate
Royal tombs
As was common in the classical world, on the anniversary of the death of loved ones, they held a ceremonial meal (necrodipy) at the grave of their ancestors, the remains of food were laid next to the body. A rectangular stone block is installed in the space between the columns on the south side of the atrium. Archaeologists excavated 18 graves of the Hellenistic period in this tomb, three of which were not looted because of this stone block. Two tombs contained a tank with myrtle ointment, a wreath of gold and thin Rhodian amphoras. Translated with Google Translate
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