Tuesday, October 15, 2013

What to see in Cyprus. Paphos. Tombs of the Kings.

At the beginning of XX century in the vicinity of Paphos, outside the ancient city, near the sea coast, archaeologists discovered a large underground funerary complex, consisting of several dozen graves cut into the cliffs and thick-called "Tombs of the Kings"

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos




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The steep stone stairs lead down to the open and in-depth into the ground patio , framed by Doric columns around which the burial chambers. The contrast between the dark tombs, with an impressive thickness of the walls and brightly lit atrium with large columns produces mixed feelings: chilling horror and irrepressible enthusiasm. Monumentality "Tombs of the Kings" without further ado confirms greatness, prosperity and sophistication of the Hellenistic Paphos. However, this type of graves was not typical for Cyprus, he would rather close Ptolemaic culture that produces the then close ties with Cyprus Alexandria.


Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos in spring

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, triplets
Tombs of the Kings and Victoria,  Maria, Anna

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
girls ))
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, triplets
Maria, Anna, Victoria with daddy

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, triplets
Maria, Anna, Victoris with mommy

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos


However, the Kings in Paphos are never buried, since they were built in the III century BC, when the last king of Cyprus has already left this mortal coil. Most likely, they buried the highest officials of the ruling dynasty, which indirectly confirms the fearsome eagle - a symbol of the power of the Ptolemies - the entrance to one of the tombs.
Gradually, many tombs of derelict and were looted. In the years of persecution in the deserted caves found refuge first Christians and one of the funeral hall is still called the "Old Church."

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Maria with daddy

Cyprus in spring
Spring in Cyprus

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

baby
Maria

baby
Victoria

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Victoria, Anna , Maria

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

babies
Discovering
babies
Discovering

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

That was our first visit to a museum with the kids like. I have to admit I worried.

 But finally it appeared to be very easy and pleasure - everybody had fun! I even could not dream that everything can be so great. We walked there more than 2 hours and our babies never cry and were looking very happy. The museum are is quite big - we could see almost all with them! They were running around, play with flowers some stones, leaves and sticks. Many times they were very excited because found a lizard.

If you want to go there, please, remember my advice - in summer there is very hot

Thats why my opinion is that the best time to visit "Tombs of the Kings" is winter or at least spring or fall. Remeber that May and September are Summer months on Cyprus :p. We were there in April and it was not too hot but still very sunny :)

Good to have water with you but remember toilets are only at the entrance :)


Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, babies
Time to play

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

hot mom of triplets!

babies

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos


babies
girls playing


Tombs of the Kings
Tombs of the Kings

Tombs of the Kings, babies
For babies everesing is interesting

Tombs of the Kings, babies
For babies everething is interesting

Tombs of the Kings
Tombs of the Kings, discovering

Operating Hours: Daily: 08:00 - 17:00 (November - March), 08:00 - 18:00 (April - May, September - October), 08:00 - 19:30 (June - August)

Admission: 1.71 euros (Summer 2013)

Tombs of the Kings
Way back home

Discover Cyprus with us

What to see in Cyprus. Polis. Aphrodite bath.

What to see in Cyprus. Paphos. Harbor.

What to see in Cyprus. Paphos Archaeological Park.

What to see in Cyprus. Paphos Castle.

What to see in Cyprus. Paphos. Tombs of the Kings.

What to see in Cyprus. Paphos. St. Solomoni's Catacombs (Agia Solomoni Catacombs)






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