Kouklia

Kouklia is one of the villages in the province of Paphos, situated about 25 kilometers southwest of the homonymous capital of Cyprus, 50 kilometers from Limassol and 130 kilometers from the city of Nicosia.

Built on a site which during the years of the kingdom of Paphos was the main settlement and at an altitude of almost 100 meters, Kouklia can be found to the north of the central road connecting Limassol and Troodos with Paphos. Southeast of the modern settlement is located the Radi forest and to its northeast, part of the Oreites forest. The village extends over a fertile plain full of vineyards, banana crops, various citrus fruits and vegetables, while livestock and fish farms thrive in the community.

Findings of various chronological periods indicate that there has been human activity in Kouklia for nearly 5,000 years (from the Late Chalcolithic period). During the Byzantine years, Kouklia was part of the property of an officer kouvikoulariou (meaning a bodyguard of a Byzantine emperor). Under the Frankish rule, the village was converted into a royal estate, where sugar cane was cultivated, and it got its modern name from the paraphrasing of the word “kou (vou) klia” (meaning an imperial dormitory).

Situated on the territory of important ancient kingdoms and in the coastal region that gave birth to and protected the goddess of love, Aphrodite, Kouklia is a living archaeological site, while their heavy cultural heritage has resulted in great tourist development. Today, the Aphrodite events are organized in the area, while the visitor can explore the ruins of Palaipafos (south of the village), which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and admire the temple of the goddess Aphrodite. One of the area’s natural sights that, combining natural beauty with mythological and folk elements, has become a tourist resort, is the Petra tou Romiou, (the Stone of the Romios) located on the homonymous beach of the area.

Apart from the fact that new discoveries are constantly unearthed, the attractions of Kouklia are not limited to the above. The main medieval attractions are also the Medieval Mansion of the Lusignans, a 13th-century building, the palace, the fortifications of the ancient kingdom at the Marcellos Hill, and the Palaipaphos Archaeological Museum, where are exhibited some of the findings of the area. The sugar mill, the Lusignan sugar factory, the olive mill that has been named by Unesco a Museum, the royal tomb of the late Classical Period, known as the Rigena’s Cave, and the enclave, are some other examples of the important civilisation of the area.

Walking around Kouklia, the visitor can explore the Nature Trail of the region, about 7 kilometers long, admire the huge wind park of the community and take a rest at its excursion area.

Entering the settlement, the visitor after following a road lined with palm trees, reaches the central square and the “contact point” of the village with its many cafes and taverns. There is also the old church of Apostle Loukas. In the community, of course, there are other churches (chapel of Agios Georgios and others) with the beautiful Panagia Katholikou Kouklion standing out. In addition, the village has a health center, a stadium, a police station, an elementary school (which also serves students from nearby villages) and a kindergarten, as well as a government plant nursery, and a youth center. Other attractions of Kouklia are the lower drinking fountain, and the monuments of the Heroes (the Fallen, the National Guard Officers, and the Farmer’s wife).

Lastly, even though it is a traditional village, Kouklia is also home to some luxurious resorts with golf and tennis courts, while there are also villas available in the area for rent.