Kouklia Village is situated just a 5 minute drive from Aphrodite Hills, towards Paphos. A quiet, traditional village, Kouklia is a wonderful place to visit to get a real taste of Cypriot village life, and also a great place to learn about some of the island’s history.
While you’re here, make sure to visit one of the taverna’s in the square – Gabriel’s is our favourite, but you can read our Eating Out Guide for Kouklia for more inspiration. During the summer months the locals block off the village square to cars so that the restaurants can collectively put on a weekly ‘Cyprus Night’ which features local music, dancing, cuisine and all round fun – we highly recommend the Cyprus Nights here, they are a wonderful way to get familiar with Cypriot culture. The Cyprus Nights normally take place every Thursday evening in summer months, we recommend that you check with the restaurants in our 8509 Magazine guide for up to date information.
Kouklia: Ancient City-Kingdom Palaepaphos, Aphrodite’s BirthplaceThe History of Kouklia is somewhat significant in Cyprus. Palaepaphos (meaning Old Paphos) is the name given to the area that is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty & Fertility, which was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world, and once a city-kingdom of Cyprus. It is thought that the ancient tradition of worshipping Aphrodite was practiced in Cyprus from as early as the Neolithic period – more details on it’s history can be found on the Department of Antiquities Website (click Here).
In September 1980, Palaepafos and Nea Pafos became the first Cypriot sites to be included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Palaepaphos is located within the limits of the modern village of Kouklia (just 5 minutes from Aphrodite Hills Resort), where excavations are still taking place today. It is home to many archaeological monuments which can be visited today, including the ‘Sanctuary of Aphrodite’ (a temple including two ancient shrines for the Goddess), and the ‘Northeast Gate of the defensive wall’ (remains of the ancient fortification for the old town) and ‘The Church of Panagia Katholiki’ (dating from the 12th or 13th century AD).
Kouklia (Greek: Κούκλια, Turkish: Kukla) is a village in the Paphos District, about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from the city of Paphos on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The village is built in the area of "Palaepaphos" (Greek: Παλαίπαφος) (Old Paphos), mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty, which became the centre for her worship in the ancient world. Because of its ancient religious significance and architecture, Kouklia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with Kato Paphos in 1980. [2]
Recent archaeology has been continuing on the site since 2006, and remains of the ancient city and the sanctuary can be seen today.
While you’re here, make sure to visit one of the taverna’s in the square – Gabriel’s is our favourite, but you can read our Eating Out Guide for Kouklia for more inspiration. During the summer months the locals block off the village square to cars so that the restaurants can collectively put on a weekly ‘Cyprus Night’ which features local music, dancing, cuisine and all round fun – we highly recommend the Cyprus Nights here, they are a wonderful way to get familiar with Cypriot culture. The Cyprus Nights normally take place every Thursday evening in summer months, we recommend that you check with the restaurants in our 8509 Magazine guide for up to date information.
Kouklia: Ancient City-Kingdom Palaepaphos, Aphrodite’s BirthplaceThe History of Kouklia is somewhat significant in Cyprus. Palaepaphos (meaning Old Paphos) is the name given to the area that is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty & Fertility, which was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world, and once a city-kingdom of Cyprus. It is thought that the ancient tradition of worshipping Aphrodite was practiced in Cyprus from as early as the Neolithic period – more details on it’s history can be found on the Department of Antiquities Website (click Here).
In September 1980, Palaepafos and Nea Pafos became the first Cypriot sites to be included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Palaepaphos is located within the limits of the modern village of Kouklia (just 5 minutes from Aphrodite Hills Resort), where excavations are still taking place today. It is home to many archaeological monuments which can be visited today, including the ‘Sanctuary of Aphrodite’ (a temple including two ancient shrines for the Goddess), and the ‘Northeast Gate of the defensive wall’ (remains of the ancient fortification for the old town) and ‘The Church of Panagia Katholiki’ (dating from the 12th or 13th century AD).
Kouklia (Greek: Κούκλια, Turkish: Kukla) is a village in the Paphos District, about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from the city of Paphos on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The village is built in the area of "Palaepaphos" (Greek: Παλαίπαφος) (Old Paphos), mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty, which became the centre for her worship in the ancient world. Because of its ancient religious significance and architecture, Kouklia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with Kato Paphos in 1980. [2]
Recent archaeology has been continuing on the site since 2006, and remains of the ancient city and the sanctuary can be seen today.