Short escapes : Archaeological site of KOURION

There are some places in Cyprus in which I have been not only once in this 6 months of my stay here. One of them is Archaeological Site of Kourion.

Searching for important places to visit here, I found out about this amazing place situated in Episkopi, 19 km west of Limassol on the road to Paphos. First time I have been here with my sister and friends and because we arrived late we didn’t have time to visit entirely, so I come back when another friend visited me and it definitely worth it.

 Kourion was an important city-kingdom in antiquity and one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus. According to the ancient historian Herodotus, the ancient city –kingdom of Kourion was founded by the Argives, the inhabitants of ancient Argos, in the Peloponnese. Later writers associate the place-mane with the name of the founder Koureas, son of the mythical king Kinyras.

The main attraction of the site is “The Theatre”, probably built towards the end of the 2^nd century BC and extended in the 2^nd AD. Today the theatre has been completely restored and is used for musical and theatrical performances. The view from the theatre it’s amazing, you can see the green field and also the sea and if you manage to be there at the sunset, you will have some nice photos.

I have been also impressed about the mosaic floors and the complex of baths and rooms of the “House of Eustolios”, originally a private villa, which during the Early Christian period was turned into a public recreation centre.

The other parts of the site include private villas and an impressive Nymphaeum, dedicated to water nymphs and also “ The House of Gladiators”, The “House of Achilles”, and the Early Christian Basilica which dates from the beginning of the 5^th century AD and probably functioned as the cathedral church of the first bishops of Kourion.

The site it’s open every day between 8:30 and 17:00 or 19:45 during summer  but it’s better to go there at least with one hour before closing , in this way you will have time to visit the all parts of it.

Winter hours (16/9 – 15/4 )
Monday – Sunday: 08.15 – 17.15

Summer hours (16/4 – 15/9)
Monday – Sunday: 8.15 – 19.45
(last ticket issued at 19.00)

Admission: 4,5 €

Address: Kourion, 19km west of Lemesos on the road towards Pafos (Paphos)

Tel: 25934250/25305157

Website : www.mcw.gov.cy/da

Bianca M.