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.

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Agrigento Greek colony was founded in the 6th century BC but already in 406 BC the town was destroyed by the Carthaginians. Until now there are still well-preserved ruins of ancient town.

The local archaeological area of Agrigento is the richest group of well-preserved Greek temples in the world. You can find here the remains of buildings from the later Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Since 1997, the archaeological area of Agrigento is registered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

View Agrigento – the richest group of well-preserved Greek temples in the world Sicily, Italy in a larger map

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When you chose to visit Italy, if you can manage to free up a single day during your trip, then you have to visit the popular lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. It is possible to visit all three of them in a single day if you plan ahead.

Murano, Italy by Alex Proimos

Murano Island is known as Glass Island. It was back in 1291 when glass production began on Murano. There are kilns dedicated to blowing glass all over the island and many different shops dedicated to selling the art. The most famous of the glassworks on Murano is that of Venini whose works are features in modern art museums all over the world. There is also a museum on the island that is dedicated to glassblowing. You will also find the 8th century Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato.

It is said that the Island of Burano is perhaps the most beautiful of the lagoon islands. Since back in the 16th century, the island of Burano has become known for the lace work done by the island’s artists. There is a museum on the island dedicated to lace and you can even see how it was woven centuries ago.

The island of Torcello is of course the most romantic of the three islands. The island is practically uninhabited which means you will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the island. It is also home to many archeological finds that are just waiting for you to explore. There is the Devil’s Bridge which is known as Ponte del Diavolo and comes complete with an amazing local legend. In the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta you will find an awe-inspiring mosaic of the Universal Judgment. The island is also home to the Estuario Museum which houses artifacts that date back to the Medieval, Byzantine and Roman periods.

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