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Local PAFOS Itinerary 33 kilometres
Fig. 399. Trimithia (terebinth) tree with offerings hung by worshipers above the catacomb of Agia Solomoni, Pafos.
Fig. 400. Ancient Theatre, Pafos.
The Church of Agia Kyriaki, Kato Pafos
Early Christian basilica of Chrysopolitissa, Kato Pafos One of Cyprus’ most important and largest Early Christian basilicas. The basilica is situated in Kato Pafos, not far from the small port and the Castle. It was built as a seven-aisled church in the 4th century and due to its size and its auxiliary buildings it is thought to have been Pafos’ metropolitan church during the early Christian period. The church is associated with the arrival and stay of Apostle Pavlos in Pafos since, according to oral tradition, the Apostle was tied up and beaten on a column that is located to the northeast of the church. The basilica was destroyed by the Arabs in the 7th century but the area continued to function as a place of worship with smaller churches erected on the same site. Beautiful mosaic floors and impressive marble architectural elements survive on the site of the basilica. Fig. 397. Pafos Castle.
The Church of Agia Kyriaki is built upon the site of the north aisle of the destroyed Early Christian Church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa. Some columns that belonged to the Early Christian church are now incorporated into the walls of the Church of Agia Kyriaki. The Church of Agia Kyriaki was originally a cross-in-square domed church but following later additions and alterations it is now a cruciform church. The church can be dated to the 15th century. Byzantine Museum of the Holy Bishopric of Pafos
Fig. 401. "Tombs of the Kings", Pafos.
The Museum is housed in the area of the Pafos Bishopric and it is considered to be one of the richest and most important museums of Byzantine ecclesiastic art. The Museum’s icon collection is equal in importance to the collection of icons at the Byzantine Museum of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation in Lefkosia. The icons are dated from the 8th-9th century until the 19th century. Fragments of wall paintings that originate from various churches in the Pafos District are also exhibited as well as woodcarvings, sacerdotal vestments and other items of ecclesiastic art. The Church of Agia Parakevi, Geroskipou
Fig. 398. The Early Christian basilica of Panagia Chrysopolitissa.
Every year, during the vespers of Apostles Petros and Pavlos, in the area where the ruins of the Church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa lie, a grand and Byzantine-like open-air ceremony is organised since it is on this spot that, according to tradition, Apostle Petros’ column is situated.
The Church of Agia Paraskevi is situated in the centre of Geroskipou village and is one of the most important Byzantine monuments of Cyprus. It is preserved in a very good condition and the only alteration to its original form occurred in the 19th century when the western wall was demolished and a large narthex was built in its place. The Church of Agia Paraskevi was possibly built upon the ruins of an Early Christian basilica but excavations have not yet proved this. This is probably the reason why the church resembles a three-aisled basilica. The church’s main
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