Aphrodite Greek Goddess of Love & Beauty
Aphrodite Greek Goddess
The Birth of Aphrodite – 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 (Rock of the Greek) Aphrodite Rock in Pafos.
The name of Aphrodite greek goddess comes from the greek word afros meaning foam. The legend and cult of this beautiful goddess linger on in her magical playground in Cyprus.
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.
There is 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.
The word ‘Yeroskipos’ in Greek means Holy Garden ‘yeros’ = holy and ‘kipos’ = garden
Aphrodite Greek Goddess and Adonis
One of the lovers of the goddess was Adonis. Legend has it that whilst out hunting in the Akamas Peninsula, he stopped for a drink of water.
On seeing the naked goddess bathing in a grotto surrounded by fig trees, he immediately fell in love with her. They then became passionate lovers.
Playground of Aphrodite Greek Goddess
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.
Take a 4WD Jeep Safari and on your way visit the legendary Baths of Aphrodite and Lara Bay.
As patron of the island it’s hardly surprising that the most popular trails to take are the Aphrodite Trail and the trail of her lover Adonis.
Both start at the Baths of Aphrodite and take approximately 3 hours.
Other trails to take are Smigies Trail which starts at Smigies Picnic Site, Pissouromouttis Trail also from the picnic site and Kathikas Trail from Kathika onto Pegeia.
This is one of the most beautiful areas of the island boasting 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.
On your way to Pafos you pass the Akrotiri British base which covers a large and very beautiful area of the island.
Nearby is 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 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 was known as Aphrodisia and her name lives on in the love potion we know today as Aphrodisiac.
It’s easy to fall in love with the beautiful island of Aphrodite and easy to understand why so many people get married, honeymoon here and return every year.
Paphos Hotels
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Attractions
Cheap Flights to Paphos
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