Ancient Theater of Paphos

The Ancient Theater of Paphos is located at the northeastern edge of the ancient city, at Agios Agapitos Street on the slope of the hill "Fabrika" and is one of the many cultural attractions in the homonymous city.

One of the most important monuments of the island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ancient Theater of Paphos is the oldest preserved theater in Cyprus and the second largest after the one situated in the occupied by the Turks Salamina. It was built around the end of the 4th century BC (300 BC) as part of the city’s infrastructure, founded by Nikoklis, the last king of Palaipaphos when he transferred the kingdom from Kouklia to Kato Paphos.

The building was in use for more than 600 years, before it ceased to be used at the end of the 4th century AD. Being the only ancient theater in Cyprus that has not been modernized, it is at the same time the only monument in its category in which all phases of the architectural development are visible. Until now, at least five architectural phases have been identified in the space that has been used as a stage for performances and other spectacles, which correspond to the various artistic tendencies of the Hellenistic and Roman art.

A section of the Ancient Theater of Paphos is built on the hill, while the rest of it was built with an artificial earthly mound on which stone chairs were placed. According to the archaeological research of the University of Sydney, which has undertaken the project and carries out excavations (the latter taking place in 2015), they have brought to light ancient Roman shops, a Roman nympheo (temple dedicated to the Nymphs) of the 2nd century and a paved Roman road to the south of the theater, which was the main access road to the theater and the nympheo. Actually, the granite carved columns found there confirm the importance of the road and were probably imported from the Troada of today’s Turkey to build colonnades along all the main streets across the city.

After its destruction by earthquakes at the end of the 4th century and specifically in 365 AD, its architectural material was used as building material in other later buildings such as the Fortress of Saranta Kolones and Panagia Chrysopolitissa of Paphos.

From the 13th to the 15th century there was a large farm at the stage of the Ancient Theater of Paphos, and was also part of a significant medieval activity in Paphos, while during the Ottoman rule it was used for agricultural and workshop purposes.