Kourion Archaeological Site

With amazing views of the Mediterranean from its location on a cliff top, the ancient city kingdom of Kourion is probably the most spectacular ancient site in Cyprus and a must-see for anyone visiting the island.

Believed to have been founded at the time of the Trojan War somewhere around 1200 BC by the Mycenaeans, the city reached its zenith during Roman times, as evidenced by the remains of a magnificent stadium, theatre and public baths with beautiful mosaics.

It is evident that a pre-Christian cult of Apollo thrived among the inhabitants of Kourion in Roman times. But, Christianity ultimately supplanted the worshipping of this deity and when a disastrous earthquake in 365 AD destroyed the Roman Temples an early Christian basilica was built, making evident the ongoing influence of Christianity on Kourion by this time.

Almost all the site is wheelchair accessible: small bridges and passageways (Kourion site´s western part can be accessed via a special entrance that can be opened by the site´s guards). Special parking space and special rest rooms available (marked).

Highlights:

• An archaeological site with spectacular views and rich in history

• Kourion was an important city kingdom where on-going excavations continuously reveal new discoveries

• Not to be missed: the theatre, the House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators

Look Out For:

• The whole archaeological area of Kourion attracts lots of visitors, so it is recommended to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon if you wish to avoid the crowds

• Wear comfortable shoes and have a bottle of water with you if visiting in the summer months, as the site is rather large and there is some walking and climbing involved

• You will need about two hours if you wish to visit the entire complex