The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates lies two miles west of Kourion near Limassol. This large sacred complex, one of Cyprus‘s most important religious centres, was established in the 8th century BC and was used continuously until the 4th century AD. Here Apollo was worshipped as the god of the woodlands.
The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates witnessed major changes during Roman times. Until the 1st century AD, the centre of religious activity was an archaic altar precinct. Early in the reign of Trajan in AD 101, the temple was given its four-column porch. At the same time, several new buildings were erected to accommodate an increasing number of visitors to the Sanctuary. The complex was severely damaged in an earthquake in the middle of the 4th century AD and was abandoned.
Covering an area of more than 15,000 square metres, the remains of the Sanctuary consist of the Temple of Apollo, the priests’ quarters, the baths, the palaestra where athletic games took place and a long colonnaded stoa.
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The palaestra (sports centre) of the sanctuary was the training ground for activities such as wrestling. It dates from the 1st century AD.The palaestra (sports centre) of the sanctuary.The Temple of Apollo Hylates was built on a stepped platform in the early reign of Trajan.The Temple of Apollo Hylates was a small tetrastyle prostyle temple with a cella and vestibule in antis and unfluted calcareous columns with capitals of the Nabatean style, also known as Cypro-Corinthian.The Temple of Apollo Hylates was partially reconstructed in 1980.The so-called South Building may have been used for the accommodation of visitors.The so-called South Building may have been used for the accommodation of visitors.The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates at Kourion.
Paphos is one of Cyprus‘s most mesmerising archaeological sites and the most accessible to visitors. Located in the resort of Paphos on the island’s southwest coast, Nea Pafos -as it was called in antiquity- is home to a treasure trove of some of the most lavish ancient mosaics in the world.
Founded in the late 4th century BC, Pafos became the island’s capital, replacing Salamis during the Hellenistic and Roman eras. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site is a vast archaeological area with remains of four Roman villas, an odeon, an agora, an Asclepeion (a healing temple sacred to the god Asclepius, the god of medicine) and royal tombs.
Like Salamis, Nea Pafos was severely damaged by earthquakes on several occasions and went into decline following the devastating earthquake of the 4th century AD. The city originally occupied an area of about 950,000 square metres and reached its zenith during the Antonine and Severan periods (second half of the 2nd / early 3rd century AD). This is reflected by the number of public and private opulent buildings that survived this period. A chance discovery made in 1962 by a farmer ploughing his field has brought exquisite light mosaics that decorated the floors of wealthy residences of the Roman period.
One of the most exquisite and best-preserved mosaics unearthed at the site is the round mosaic of Theseus and the Minotaur in the Villa of Theseus, named after the representation of the Athenian hero fighting the Cretan monster in the Labyrinth. The most spectacular group of mosaics comes from the House of Dionysus. The building occupies an area of about 2000 square metres, of which 556 are covered with mosaic floors. A short walk away lies the Agora (forum), the Asclepeion and the Odeon, where musical performances were held. These buildings constituted the heart of the ancient city.
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The House of Theseus. With more than 100 rooms, this house is the largest residential structure on the island and one of the largest in the Mediterranean. It was the residence of the governor of Cyprus (proconsul).Mosaic floor in the House of Theseus depicting the mythical duel between Theseus and the Minotaur in the Labyrinth of Crete, 3rd-4th century AD.The first bath of Achilles mosaic in one of the rooms of the House of Theseus, 5th century AD. The hero lies in the arms of his mother, Thetis, who is shown lying on a bed in the centre. This part of the scene has been significantly damaged. Achilles is also shown sitting on the knees of his nurse, who is preparing to dip the infant in a basin.The House of Theseus.The House of Theseus.The House of Theseus with three mosaic pavements.The House of Dionysus. The name given to the house is due to the central mosaic featuring Dionysus, the god of wine. The building occupies an area of about 2000 square metres, of which 556 are covered with mosaic floors.The Triumph of Dionysus mosaic in the House of Dionysus, dating from the late 2nd / early 3rd century AD. Dionysus sits on a two-wheeled chariot.Mosaic of Narcissus in the House of Dionysus, late 2nd / early 3rd century AD.The Rape of Ganymede mosaic in the House of Dionysus. The god Zeus, having transformed into an eagle, carries Ganymede away. Dating from the late 2nd / early 3rd century AD.Phaedra and Hippolytus in the House of Dionysus, late 2nd / early 3rd century AD.The Odeon was located in the northeastern part of the ancient city. It was built in the 2nd century AD and could hold approximately 1,200 spectators.The Odeon.In the foreground is the Agora, the central square court of the city surrounded by colonnaded porticoes dating from the middle of the 2nd century AD; in the background on the left is the Asclepeion, and on the right is the Odeon.
following hadrian photography 