Archaeological Site of the Tombs of the Kings — Attraction in Paphos Municipality

The Tombs of the Kings ("Táfou ton Vasileón" in Greek) is an impressive archaeological site located close to the city of Paphos in Cyprus, forming part of the Paphos Archaeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its grand title, the site is not actually the final resting place of ancient kings, but rather of Paphos' wealthy and influential residents during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Historical Significance Dating back to the 4th century BCE, the Tombs of the Kings is a sprawling necropolis that showcases the Hellenistic influence on Cyprus, with some elements indicating Egyptian architectural styles. This blend of cultural influences underlines the significant trading and cultural exchanges happening in the Mediterranean during this era.

Architectural Features The tombs are carved out of solid rock, with some featuring Doric pillars and frescoed walls, reflecting the affluence of those entombed. The site comprises several large tombs, many of which are underground with atriums that are open to the sky, resembling the layout of houses for the living, which was a common feature in tombs of this period across the region. This design was believed to ensure a comfortable passage into the afterlife.

Visiting the Site Visitors to the Tombs of the Kings can explore the extensive network of underground tombs, which include both simple pits and more elaborate family sepulchers with surrounding columns and atriums. The site is a popular attraction for those interested in history and archaeology, offering insights into the burial practices and beliefs of ancient cultures.

Preservation and Accessibility The Tombs of the Kings has been excavated and preserved as an archaeological park, allowing for public access and educational tours. It's easily accessible from Paphos and is a must-see for tourists visiting Cyprus, offering a unique window into the past civilizations that flourished on the island.

The site's significance goes beyond its immediate historical and architectural value; it serves as a poignant reminder of the human desire for dignity in death and the universal quest for immortality through memory and monumental...

Well it says there are 7 tombs , there aren’t . There hundreds! As you enter there is a pillar where you can scan a QR code to download for IOS or Android . This brings up an app , for UNESCO . Here you get a map and information. If you have trouble downloading it , there are separate QR codes at all the major tombs . These give audio descriptions of what you can see . There are many interesting things to see and you can spend several hours exploring. The cross hatching on most of the flat faces of rock are where , after quarrying out the stone the rock is then carved in crosshatching to give a key for the plaster that one adorned the inside . This was then painted to look like marble and was then painted with frescos . Some small bits of plaster still remain , but most has gone . These tons have survived earthquakes and a tsunami and are now just a remnant of their former glory . However what is left is quite remarkable. The time it took to carve these out would have taken 100s of thousands if not millions of man hours , and are a credit to human ingenuity, skill and perseverance. If you are wondering why there is so little rubble and large rocks in the interior of some of these spaces , blame the Romans . Like any builders , if you can find rocks that have already been carved , you use them first , as most of the hard work has been done for you . One of the tons has the pillars actually carved out of solid rock , and amazing feat of...

Our small group decided to spend the day in the Paphos area to take in the UNESCO sites. This was our first stop, shortly after it opened to take advantage of the early temperatures. I was first surprised at the low cost of admission, 2.50 Euro. As soon as you come in, there is a sign to download the UNESCO app for the Paphos sites - definitely added to the self-paced visit. As we walked around, we noticed how large the site was and that at times, it became difficult to find the next marked tomb (there are several unmarked sites without additional information). There are several paths to visit the entire site, but it adds a bit to the confusion of where you are and where to go next. There are small signs of general directions where the numbered tombs are, but you quickly find yourself wondering if you are heading in the right direction. If you are doing the site without a guide or app, there is no additional al info at the tomb markers - you can see old stands where info was once displayed - again, make sure you load the app. The tombs themselves are quite amazing. It was sad to hear how they were basically looted for their treasures and not properly excavated or preserved when they were opened. A lot of damage was done. The sites that remain are very interesting and an amazing peak back into this culture from...