Aphrodite Greek Goddess of Love

Aphrodite Myths

It's easy to fall in love with the beautiful island of Aphrodite and easy to understand why so many people get married in Cyprus and honeymoon here.

Birth of Aphrodite

A white foam appeared and the beautiful goddess emerged from the sea at Petra Tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek) Aphrodite Rock in Pafos.

The name of the greek goddess Aphrodite comes from the greek afros meaning foam.

Aphrodite Myths and the Temple of Aphrodite

The nearby village of Kouklia (Palaipafos - Old Pafos) is where the 12th century B.C. Temple of Aphrodite once stood.

In its place stands the church of Panagia Aphroditissa.

The ruins of the sanctuary date back to the 12th century BC and were a place of worship until the 3rd/4th century AD.

Excavations continue in and around the ruins of the town and necropolis and there's also a museum in a nearby house which you can visit from 9.00am - 4.00pm Tel: 26432180.

The village of 'Yeroskipos' was the Greek goddess's garden and this is where she played and loved.

It's also where pilgrims came to worship the goddess with gifts of flowers and fruits. 'Yeroskipos' in Greek means Holy Garden - 'yeros'= holy and 'kipos'= garden.

Aphrodite and Adonis

He saw the naked goddess bathing in a grotto surrounded by fig trees and immediately fell in love with her and they became passionate lovers.

This area is also known as the 'playground' of the goddess and the famous 'Baths of Aphrodite' are to be found between Polis and Cape Arnaout. For those wishing to visit the baths during the summer the bus leaves from the town of Polis at 10.00am, Noon and 3.00pm.

Akamas Peninsula - Playground of the Goddess Aphrodite

There are narrow deep valleys, caves, beautiful beaches and over 500 different types of plants.

In Spring the Akamas is carpeted with flora and fauna and one of the best locations for cycling, walking and hiking.

Guided trails leave from the Baths and include the Aphrodite Trail and Adonis Trail.

On your way to Pafos you pass the Akrotiri British base which covers a large and very beautiful area of the island.

Nearby are Kolossi Castel, Ancient Kourion and the Sanctuary of Apollo (Apollon Ylatis - god of the woodland) and protector of Kourion.

A little further on and you come to Aphrodite Beach at Petra tou Romio, birthplace of Aphrodite.

Don't forget, if you're driving from Lemesos (Limassol) to Pafos be sure to take the old road and not the motorway, otherwise you'll miss all of this!

The festival of Aphrodite Greek Goddess of this lovely island was known as Aphrodisia and her name lives on in the love potion we know today as 'Aphrodisiac'.