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The legend and myths of Aphrodite Greek goddess of love, patron of Cyprus and also known as Venus in Roman mythology, are full of passion and intrigue and still as strong as ever.
According to Hesiodus, Kronos castrated his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea. A white foam appeared and the beautiful goddess emerged from the sea at Petra tou Romiou in Pafos. The goddess's name comes from the greek word afros which means foam.
The legend and cult of the goddess linger on and the nearby village of Kouklia (Palaipafos - Old Pafos) is where the Temple of Aphrodite once stood and where now 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 the necropolis. 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.
One of the lovers of the goddess was Adonis. Legend has it that whilst out hunting one day in the Akamas, Adonis stopped for a drink of water and saw the naked goddess bathing in a grotto surrounded by fig trees. He immediately fell in love with her and they became the most passionate of lovers. This area is also known as the 'playground' of the goddess and the 'Baths of Aphrodite' are situated between Polis and Cape Arnaout.
For those wishing to visit the baths during the summer, a bus leaves from the town of Polis at 10.00am, Noon and 3.00pm.
The nearby Akamas Peninsula is a lovely nature reserve and one of the most beautiful areas of the island. 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 Castle, 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 Petra tou Romio, birthplace of Aphrodite.
Don't forget, if you're driving from Lemesos to Pafos, be sure to take the old road and not the motorway, otherwise you'll miss all of this!
The festival of the Goddess of this lovely island was known as Aphrodisia and her name lives on in the love potion we know today as 'Aphrodisiac'.
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