The Tombs of the Kings – an unbeatable experience in Paphos, Cyprus

Located some mile and a quarter north of Paphos harbor in Cyprus, the Tombs of the Kings is a huge necropolis, a labyrinth of underground tombs, some of which date back to the fourth century BCE.  The whole town of Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also famous for its Roman mosaics and more ancient cult of Aphrodite.  The Tombs of the Kings do not, in fact, contain the remains of any kings – instead they are thought to be the burial sites of aristocrats and prominent officials from Paphos.  The name derives from the splendor and magnificence of the tombs, impressively carved from solid rock and featuring Doric columns and walls once adorned with frescoes.

Tombs of the Kings, Paphos, Cyprus by Mgiganteus1

Approach to the Tombs of the Kings

At first sight during my visit there appeared to be very little of interest to be seen, just a craggy outcrop of rocks, as the tombs are almost entirely underground.  It was only as I ventured around the side of the site that the detail of how it had been used became apparent.  It was amazing to think of these tombs being chiseled by hand from the soft limestone, and then completely excavated to form rectangular rooms with about three feet of thick rock above them as a ceiling.

A subterranean adventure

Seven of the eight tombs have been excavated, and I found them to be extremely well preserved.  Their overall design is quite unusual for this part of the world since, although they date from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, their architecture tends more towards Macedonian in style.  Some of the tombs were constructed to look like dwelling places for the living rather than burial sites for the dead.  It is possible to see fragments of the original frescoes, and the atriums (central courtyards) are largely intact, so that the overall structure – complete with porticos and columns – is clearly evident.

Tombs of the Kings, Paphos, Cyprus by Romeparis

Getting around the site

To gain access to the underground tombs there are stone staircases leading downwards, although tomb number three has an additional wooden staircase that was installed during the excavation, making it easier to negotiate.  Great care is needed when descending into any of the tombs, as the stone steps are quite uneven.  The best time to visit is early morning before the heat of the day builds up, and it is sensible to wear comfortable shoes and take a hat and bottled water, as the site is quite large.  Touring the whole of it can easily take a minimum of two hours.

Tombs of the Kings, Paphos, Cyprus by Romeparis

Getting to the Tombs of the Kings

There is a good bus service from Paphos city center to the Tombs of the Kings, and it is worth taking the bus, as the neighborhood around the site is a little shabby.  Admission prices are very reasonable and, along with cheap flight deals available to Paphos International Airport, I found a vacation in Cyprus to be both affordable and rewarding.  Besides the historic Tombs of the Kings, there are many other visitor attractions, including Aphrodite’s Rock, Coral Bay, the Adonis Baths Waterfalls and Kato Paphos Archaeological Park.

Tags: aristocrats, burial sites, central courtyards, doric columns, dwelling places, frescoes, name derives from, necropolis, outcrop, porticos, rectangular rooms, roman mosaics, roman periods, soft limestone, tombs of the kings, underground tombs, unesco world heritage, unesco world heritage site, wooden staircase, world heritage site

Category: Religious monuments, Religious monuments