Virgin Mary Chrysopolitissa
Panagia (Virgin Mary) Chrysopolitissa is one of the most important cultural attractions of Paphos and is located in the capital of the homonymous province, near Stasandrou Street and Apostolou Pavlou Avenue.
One of the first and largest basilicas built in Cyprus on an area of about 1.5 acres, Virgin Mary Chrysopolitissa constitutes at the same time one of the many archaeological sites of Cyprus. It was built in the second half of the 4th century AD and was rebuilt in the 13th century on the ruins of the previous church. The temple in its first building phase had originally seven aisles, which in the 6th century (2nd building phase) were reduced to five. Its floors are decorated with colourful mosaics dating back to the 4th and 6th centuries, some of which are still preserved.
Historically, the church has undergone many modifications over the centuries. After the destruction of the basilica, a smaller Byzantine church of the 11th century was built on the same site, followed by another smaller church of 1500 AD. The latter, the church of Agia Kyriaki of Paphos, is still preserved and used as a Catholic church by the Anglican Church of Paphos. To the north of the basilica, the ruins of a Gothic church that belonged to a Franciscan monastery, dating from around 1300 AD, were destroyed in 1600 AD. To the south, there are remains of the 6th-century Episkopio, a complex building with cisterns that communicated with the temple through the Narthex, and is believed to have been the bishop’s home (hence its name, as episkopos in Greek is the “bishop”).
The archaeological excavations at the Virgin Mary Chrysopolitissa area also brought to the light mosaic floors, granite columns with carved marble capitals, and more. Of outmost interest are the mosaic, the small fountain in the atrium, the monogram of the name of Christ in Greek, and some mosaics of christian symbols, drawings and texts from the Old Testament. A very important finding is also part of the marble slabs of the 2nd century AD with the name of Apostle Paul in Greek. In the enclosure there is also the Apostle Paul’s Pillar, where, according to tradition, he was whipped 39 times (40 times but one) before the Roman governor converted to Christianity, and Cyprus became the first country in the world to be ruled by a Christian leader.
Near the site there is also a marble slab and the tomb of Henry the Good, king of Denmark, who died suddenly during his stop in Cyprus and before continuing his journey to the Holy Land. Access to Virgin Mary Chrysopolitissa is through specially designed pedestrian bridges, providing access also for the disabled, while there are explanatory signs throughout the tour.
Virgin Mary Chrysopolitissa
Kato Paphos
Phone: 00357 26306217
Opening Hours: 16 September – 15 April 8: 30-17: 00
April 16 – 15 September 8: 30-19: 30
Free entrance