Cyprus Mosaics 'Paphos Mosaics'
Cyprus Mosaics of Paphos
The site of Cyprus Mosaics, or more commonly referred name of ‘Paphos Mosaics’, are a series of mosaic floors in villas of ancient Roman noblemen. The site where the villas are still being excavated can be found about 300 metres from the Paphos harbour. The mosaics feature mythological characters and scenes, and were constructed from small cubes of marble and stone, called tesserae, with glass paste added to widen the range of colour.
Mosaics of the House of Dionysos
The house is named “House of Dionysos” due to the depictions of Dionysos, the god of wine. The mosaic decorations and the mythological compositions are the main characteristics of this restored Roman villa, dating back to the second century A.D.
Mosaics of the House of Theseus
The mosaics of the villa of Theseus lie close to the House of Dionysus and date back to the second century A.D. A visitor can see the very interesting geometrical decorations as well as mythological representations. Worth seeing are the mosaics of “Theseus killing the Minotaur” and the “Birth of Achilles”.
Mosaics of the House of Aion
The mosaics of the House of Aion date back to the fourth century A.D and lie close to the mosaics of Dionysus and Theseus. Five mythological scenes worth seeing are: "The bath of Dionysus", "Leda and the Swan", "Beauty contest between Cassiopeia and the Nereids", "Apollo and Marsyas", and the "Triumphant procession of Dionysus".
Mosaics of the House of Orpheus
The mosaics of this villa belong to the third century A.D and lie to the west of the House of Theseus. There are three mythological representations worth seeing, “ Orpheus and his Lyre”, “ Hercules and the Lion of Nemea” and “the Amazon”.
Mosaics of the House of Four Seasons
This house lies north of the House of Orpheus. It was named after the mosaic that represents the personification of the four seasons, which dates back to the first half of the third century A.D.
Visiting Paphos Mosaics
Location: Kyriakou Nikolaou Street, Kato Paphos (Near the harbour)
Open daily:
November-March: 08.00-17.00
June-August: 08.00-19.30
April, May, September, October: 08.00-18.00
Entrance: €3.5 (CY £2.00)
Tel. 26306217
