Paphos

Paphos is a coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus with around 47,000 inhabitants. Two locations were called Paphos. Old Paphos ( Palaepaphos) is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty so that became the most famous and important place for worshipping Aphrodite in the ancient world. New Paphos is the currently inhabited city that lies on the Mediterranean coast. The town of Paphos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world's heritage.Paphos has subtropical-mediterranean climate with typical summer's season's that lasts 8 months. The economy of Paphos depends mostly on tourism and farming, especially banana, grape and tobacco plantations. ONe of the landmarks of Paphos is the Paphos Castle which was originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour. There are the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, mysterious vaults and caves, the Tombs of the Kings, the pillar to which Saint Paul was allegedly tied and whipped, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum. The most famous is Saint Solomoni Church, originally a Christian catacomb retaining some of its 12th century frescoes. Temple of Aphrodite was one of the most important places of cult and pilgrimage of the ancient world. Paphos has an international airport and port that today serves as a small marina and a fisherman shelter. The port probably is the top tourist destination of the city with plenty of restaurants and cafés.