Listen here, Archaeological Site of Kourion, Foundation – History
The rocky crop above the sea on which the ancient town developed lies 4 kilometers south west of the village of Episkopi in the district of Lemesos. It is one of the most important archeological sites in Cyprus and, according to the legend about its founding related by Herodotus, its founders were Acheans originating from Argos in the Peloponese.
Archeological finds in the nearby hill of Bamboula, leads to estimate the advent of the Acheans in this location in about the 13th and 12th century BC. The most ancient signs of human habitation in the wider area of Kourion date from the Neolithic period ( 4500-3900 BC). On the hill of kourion there are remains dating from the Classical period , mostly the Hellenistic period (325 – 50 BC ) and mainly the Roman period (50 -330 AD ) and the Early Christian period (330 – end of 7th century AD ).
Organized excavations in Kourion started in 1933 by the University Museum of Pennsylvania and went on, at intervals, up to 1954. In 1964, the Department of Antiquities started excavations at the site. During the years 1974-1979, The American Mission of The Byzantine Studies Centre Dumbarton Oaks undertook the task of excavating the Early Christian basilica, seat of the bishop. During the years 1980-1983, excavations were conducted by the American Mission of Walters Art Gallery and the Universities of Missouri and Maryland. The Department of Antiquities has recently started the creation of an archeological Park and a Visitors Centre.
Listen here, Archaeological Site of Kourion Location
The most important monuments in Kourion are:
Listen here, Archaeological Site of Kourion, Other Monuments
The Roman Forum: as it stands today is a building of the beginning of the 3rd century with additions from the Early Christian period. At the centre of the forum there pre-existed an imme4nse building which had been being used From the end of the 4th century BC up to the end of the Hellenistic period. The Roman forum was flanked on two sides by colonnades. On its north-west part there was an imposing complex of buildings attached to it, comprising bath complexes and a Nympheum, and dates from about the 1st century AD These buildings were subjected to various changes and additions over the years.
The House OF Achilles: What survives today is only part of the house in the South West along the old Lemesos – Pafos road It is a Roman house of the 4 century AD with a central open courtyard surrounded by pillars. Many of its Rooms have mosaic floors The most interesting among them is the mosaic that depicts the scene when Achilles reveals his identity to Ullyses, who, disguised as a merchant, gained entrance to the court of Lecomedes, king of Skyros. It is believed byn archeologists that this was the reception room or foreign dignitaries.
The House of Gladiators: This Roman house dates from the 3rd Century AD and lies a few meters east from the House of Achilles It has a central open courtyard surrounded by colonnades and rooms for various uses.
The building was destroyed in the devastating earthquake of Kourion in the 4th century AD.
The house acquired its name from mosaics depicting gladiators adorning the central courtyard.
Two mosaic compositions have survived. The first shows gladiators exercising while the second seems to present an actual fighting. The unarmed figure, in sumptuous clothes, in the centre is the referee of the fight. It is noteworthy that the names of the central persons depicted in both mosaics are still extant.
The Theatre: is built on the south edge of the hill. It was first built in the 2nd century BC, but in the 2nd century AD it was extended and assumed its present form.
Around the end of the 3rd century some major alteratios occurred such as metal railings in order to accommodate wild animal fights.
A popular spectacle of the time. The cavea had stands that could seat 3500 spectators. he stage building stood high above the front stage where the performance actually took place thus fencing off the semi-circular orchestra on the side facing the sea. Today, only the foundations of the stage survive After its restoration, the theatre is used today for cultural events.
Listen here, Archaeological Site of Kourion, The house of Eustolios
The House of Eustolios stands on a dominant site in the south East edge of the plateau.
It is a monumental house dating from the end of the 4th century beginning of 5th century AD.
It consists of numerous rooms grouped around two courtyards and a bath complex.
The mosaic floors covering most of the rooms of the building are of particular interest.
Inscriptions on the mosaics reveal not only the name of the owner of the house of Eustolios but also his Christian faith.
It is noteworthy that on the inscriptions Apollo, the oldest patron saint of Kourion is evoked.
The building seems to have been initially erected as a royal residence but was transformed into a public place, a kind of club.
Listen here, Archaeological site of Kourion, The Early, Christian
The Early Christian Basilica: To the south of the Forum there are the remains of a large three-aisled basilica.
This was the Cathedral of Kourion. It was built at the beginning of the 5th century AD and was remodeled in the 6th century AD when new floors were installed with mosaics and polychrome marble.
On the west side the basilica was connected through the narthex to a comlex construction that included the Diakonikon, where the offerings of the faithful were placed and, most probably, to the bishopric.
To the north of the basilica there was an atrium and the baptistery that had the form of a small three-aisled basilica with a narthex. The basilica, like so many other on the island, was destroyed in the 7th century AD by Arab raids.
The Sanctuary of Apollo Xylates lies about 2.5 kilometers from the site of the ancient town along the old Lemesos –Pafos road.
It was one of the most important religious centers in ancient Cyprus, the sanctuary where Apollo was worshiped as the God of the woodlands (Xylates ).
The veneration of Apollo appears to have started as early as the 8th century BC and continued up to the 4th century AD The complex was subjected to many additions and remodeling throughout its history.
The sanctuary is surrounded by a courtyard and entrance in antiquity was either through the Kourion Gate or through the Pafos Gate. Pilgrims walked along theb sacred way with a south to north direction which led to Apollo. The temple had two phases: The earliest one dates from the end of the classical and the beginning of the Hellenistic periods and the second phase dates from the 1st century AD, at which time, the temple was reconstructed in a different form Part of the latter phase has been restored. The destruction and subsequent abandonment of the temple is considered to have been in the 4th century AD.
In ancient times the sanctuary was in open air with yards and altars. During Roman times it was remodeled. The remains of a circular building with a pebbled floor has ben discovered. This was probably used for processions and cult dances in the groves of sacred trees.
In the south-east of the sanctuary there is the Palaestra, central open yard surrounded by colonnades, the place where athletes exercised. Within t6he premises of the complex there are also Roman baths. Both the Palaestra and the baths lie outside the precinct of the sanctuary.
The Stadium is located to the east of the sanctuaryof Apollo Xylates Built in the 2nd century AD it was operational until the end of the 5th century AD.
It has a shoe- horsecross section and three entrances .
Part of the seats has been restored so that the visitor can become aware that there were seven rows of seats above the level of the track field.
The stadium had a capacity of 6000 spectators.
The Small Basilica Within the Walls:
At a short distance east from the stadium there is a small three-aisled basilica with a narthex and a colonnaded atrium. It was built towards the end of the 5th century AD. In the middle of the atrium there was a fountain that later gave way to a lime kiln where the marble parts of the basilica were reduced to lime there was a chapel to the north of the basilica.
During excavations at the site of the basilica a votive inscription was unearthed to the deities of Ceres and Daughter. This is an indication that in the vicinity there probably was a sanctuary dedicated to Ceres and daughter, related to the Eleusis mysteries.
This fact is also a reminder of the founding myth of Kourion according to which its first inhabitants were Argives.
The Basilica by the Sea:
Is situated, as suggested by its name, on the seashore below the acropolis of Kourion It is a three-aisled basilica with a colonnaded atrium and dates from the beginning of the 6th century Ad.
Its floors are covered with multicolored mosaics with geometric motifs. During excavations it was discovered that the walls were covered with mosaics as well. Following its destruction in the 7th century AD due to Arab raids, it was soon covered with sand and forgotten.
Thus almost all its architectural parts made of imported marble survived. Due to its coastal position it is believed to have had some connection to the sea and the port of Kourion.
Source: Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus
District: Lemesos
Address : —
Administration: Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus
Working hours:
Winter Hours September 16th – April 15th: Monday – Sunday 8:15 to 17:15 The site is closed January 1, Easter Day and 25 December.
Summer Hours 16 April – 15 September: Monday – Sunday 8:15 to 19:45.
During the following holidays the site is open as follows: January 6, 8:30 to 17:00, March 25, 8:30 to 17:00, Clean Monday 8:30 to 17:00, April 1 8:30 – 17: 00, Good Friday 8:30 to 19:30, Saturday 8:30 to 19:30, Easter Monday 8:30 to 19:30, May 1, 8:30 to 19:30, the Holy Spirit 8:30 – 19 : 30, 15 August 8:30 to 19:30, October 1 8:30 to 17:00, October 28 8:30 to 17:00, December 24 8:30 to 17:00
Open: All through the year.
Facilities: The archaeological site is accessible to wheelchairs. The western part has a separate gate, marked,open by contacting the guard. Transactions in cash only. Groups of visitors over eleven persons have a 20% reduction on entrance fee (4,50 euros) if escorted by a licensed tourist guide. There are weekly tickets (25 Euros) and daily tickets (8,50 Euros) 3 day special entry card (17 euros) obtainable at any museum or archaeological site under the competence of the Department of Antiquities. Parking space available. Toilets available. Access to free wifi network.
Postscript for people with visual impairment / Ancient Theater / Home Eustolios: People with visual disabilities have the opportunity to gain seamless access to our archaeological tradition. The archaeological site of Kourion, have the opportunity to people with visual disabilities to learn about and understand in a direct and tangible way archaeological concepts such as mosaics and technology, recognizing the value and importance of preserving our archaeological heritage.
In collaboration with the School for the Blind have been constructed and placed explanatory signs for Eustolios House and the ancient theater with Braille writing system, and three-dimensional replica of the theater enables people with visual impairment of space perception. Dummy and mosaic tesserae that follow the ancient construction methods and are free to the public to touch enable individuals to understand interactive technology and workmanship. The guardian, located in the archaeological area, appropriate to the School for the Blind trained as guides, so that people with visual disabilities to have a meaningful and personal experience and to gain the most from their visit. At the same time, reinforcing the acquisition of comprehensive knowledge, informative guides have been published in Greek and English, in Braille system and enlarged writing, you are free to people with visual disabilities, with information materials on the monument.
Telephone / Fax: 00357- 25934250 / —
Website / e-mail: www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/da/da.nsf / antiquitiesdept@da.mcw.gov.cy
Entrance Fee: 4,50 euros. (free entrance for elementary and secondary students, students – should have student cards, soldiers in uniform, holders of icom card and unemployed. 50% ticket price reduction for recipients of public assistance, retired persons and members of large families).
Tickets: At the entrance or at any museum or archaeological site under the competence of the Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus.
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