Casino of Kritou Terra

The Casino of Kritou Terra is the first casino to open in Cyprus and is located in the homonymous village of Paphos, being one of the island’s most historical cultural attractions.

Housed in a two-storey stone-built building from 1860-1870 and located east of the school in the center of the village, the Casino of Kritou Terra opened in 1878 (during the Ottoman rule) and ceased its operation in the early 20th century, namely in 1909 from a controversy that a Turk had with a Christian.

Its founder was Savvas Makridis, a resident of the village, who also took over its day to day operation, bringing women from Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, who performed belly dancing on the wooden balcony of the central room to please the customers, who at the same time were gambling and playing with dice.

Passing the two-sided entrance of the building, the interior of the casino is decorated with frescoes by the Greek painter Zapitis who came from Antalya. The frescoes are inspired by history and tradition, such as the fresco with the capture of the hero of the Greek Revolution, Athanasios Diakos by two armed Turkish soldiers, or the fresco with the popular hero Koutalianos with two cannons. Actually, this fresco was done in his honor when Koutalianos visited the village in 1896. Other well-known patrons of the area were the King of Egypt Faruk, but also many Turks, Arabs and others who were considered the elite of the Middle East.

The Casino of Kritou Terra has been restored by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus and can be accessed after a phone arrangement with the village’s president of the community who has the keys.

Casino of Kritou Terra
Kritou Terra, Paphos, Cyprus
Phone: 00357 26332392