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GENERAL
INFORMATION |
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| Paphos,
(or Pafos), is a coastal town in the south-west of Cyprus,
with a population of about 47.300 (end of 2001). Over the
past decade or so, Paphos has grown from a small settlement
into a fast developing tourist resort, with it’s own
airport, (the island’s second International airport),
and an attractive fishing harbour. |
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| HISTORY
- The city of Pafos according to legend is the mythical birthplace
of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, sex and beauty. |
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It was founded by King Kinyras in 1400 BC. The port of Pafos
was built by Nicocles, the last king of Pafos, at the time
of Alexander the Great. It became the capital of the island
replacing Salamis during the Hellenistic Period. In Greco-Roman
times it was the island's capital, and it is famous for the
remains of the Roman Governor's palace where extensive, fine
mosaics are a major tourist attraction. Another famous archaeological
site is the Tombs of the Kings. The Apostle Paul visited the
town during the 1st century.The Romans retained Pafos as the
seat of the Roman Governor. St. Paul converted the Roman Governor
of the time, Sergius Paulus, to Christianity, thus becoming
the first Country governed by a Christian. The city contains
many catacomb sites dating back to the early Christian period. |
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Despite its vulnerability to foreign incursions and raids,
the city survived through the centuries, retaining an indefinable
legendary charm through the ages. It also survived the devastating
earthquake in the 4th century AD. The Arab raids in the 9th
century AD contributed in Pafos losing its position as the
administrative centre of Cyprus and the capital was moved
to Lefkosia (Nicosia). The city and its port continued to
decline throughout the Frankish and Ottoman Rules.
The city continued declining throughout the British administration,
and many of its inhabitants moved to other towns in Cyprus,
and overseas. The city and district of Pafos had remained
the most underdeveloped part of the island until 1974.
The Turkish invasion
and occupation of the major tourist resorts of Keryneia and
Ammochostos led to major investments by the government and
the private sector in the district of Pafos. There was rapid
economic activity in all fields but especially tourism. The
government invested heavily in irrigation dams and water distribution
works, road infrastructure and the building of Pafos airport,
while private initiative concentrated on the coastal areas
and the entertainment infrastructure, with numerous large
and small ,apartments and villas to cater for all variety
of tourists. Kato Pafos (or down town Paphos), which is built
around the mediaeval port, and contains most of the luxury
hotels and the entertainment infrastructure, and Ktima, which
is the main residential district.
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POLIS
- Polis, which in Greek means town, is in one of
the most beautiful areas of Cyprus. Polis is located northwest
of the region of Pafos at a 30 minute distance from the town
of Pafos, 45 minutes from Pafos airport and about 2 hours
away from Larnaca airport. Polis is the ideal holiday location
for the select few who appreciate authenticity and seek rest
and tranquility in a pleasant and friendly environment that
blends mountains, sea and a mild winter with a warm clear
sea and sandy beaches. |
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Polis
is considered as the ideal location for nature lovers and
those keen on active holidays, such as hiking, cycling, horse
riding and golf. The Tsada Golf Course is just 25 minutes
away from Polis. Polis is served by the picturesque fishing
port of Latsi -a pole of attraction all the year round and
reputed for its fish taverns, its sea-sport facilities and
boat rides up to Akamas -a must for all Polis visitors. However,
the great advantage of Polis is its close vicinity to the
beautiful Akamas peninsula, a nature reserve area destined
to become a National Park. A walk along its nature trails
accompanied by the panoramic view of the bay of Polis is a
unique experience.
HISTORY OF POLIS - According to tradition,
Athenian Akamas, son of Theseus, disembarked near Polis after
the Trojan War and gave his name to the Cape of Akamas and
the city of Akamantis: a legendary city which has never been
found. |
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ancient times, Polis was known as Marion, and was probably
founded by Akamas or Marieus. Marion was one of the City Kingdoms
founded by the Mycenaeans when they came to Cyprus. The Mycenaeans,
or Achaeans settled in Cyprus between 1400 B. C. and 1100
B.C. |
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| In
Egypt at Metinet Abou in the temple of Ramses III, there is
a large 12th Century B.C. inscription which refers to Cyprus.
The names of Cypriot Towns mentioned include Marion. However,
the first definite reference to Marion occurred in 498 B.C.
when the city, were under Persian rule. During that year,
Kimon, the great Athenian general, freed the city from the
Persians. Later, the ancient geographers spoke of the town
as "Marion Ellinikon" - The Hellenic Marion. The
Kingdom was rich in Gold and Copper ore, mined from the nearby
Limni Mines. It was the natural wealth which led the city
to a period of flourishing trade, especially with Athens,
which in its turn, exported many attic pots to Marion. Samples
of this pottery can be viewed at Polis Archaeological Museum.
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The battle for
domination of Cyprus between the successors of Alexander
the Great, Antigonus and Ptolemy led Marion to destruction.
Ptolemy, who finally prevailed, laid waste the city and
transferred its inhabitants to Paphos. Later, another member
of the Ptolemy dynasty, Philadelphus, founded a new city
on the ruins of Marion and named it after his wife, Arsinoe.
The city, under its new name, prospered during the Hellenistic
and Roman periods. In early Christian times it was also
an episcopate. Arsinoe seems to have suffered extensive
destruction by the Arab invasions of the 7th century A.D.
There was no mention of the city for some years after that
until the late Middle Ages, when reference was made to Chrysochou
and later, Polis Chrysochou. |
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Marion
was inhabited at the end of the Neolithic and through the
Chalcolithic period. It began to prosper from the Cypro-Archaic
period onwards and became one of the most important ancient
Cypriot City Kingdoms in the Cypro - Classical period with
important commercial relations with the East Aegean islands,
Attica and Corinth. Marion but it also flourished due to
its close proximity to the copper mines. |
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