Ayios Georgios, Peyia
Situated in the village of Peyia, Ayios Georgios is an extremely popular pilgrimage site on cape Drepanon in the district of Pafos.
Between the years 1952 and 1955 ,the Archaeology Department unearthed three Early Christian basilicas and a bath dating from the 6th century AD.
Excavations continued during the years 1992 to 1998 by the Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki and, since 1999 by the Archaeological Mission of the Ministry of Culture of Greece.
During these excavations it was proven that there was ,during the Roman period and the Early Christian era, a vast non-fortified settlement which developed mainly during the time of emperor Justinian (527-565 AD ).
Due to its geographical position at the extreme western part of the island and in the middle of the sea route between Alexandria and Rhodes, the settlement was the first port of call for convoys transporting wheat from Egypt to Constantinople. This accounts for the characteristic features of the settlement.
The centre of the settlement is occupied by a large group of buildings which include a three-aisled basilica A which has later additions on its northern side and an atrium surrounded by a colonnade and a baptistery on its western side.
A smaller three-aisled basilica with a transept is attached to the north side of the baptistery.
On the western side of this complex there is a large two stored building, built in the style of a Greco-roman house ,considered to be the bishopric.
To the south of basilica A, excavations brought to light a bath adjoining a large courtyard.
To the north-east, along the road that leads inland and to the modern village of Peyia, there are the remains of a` small three-aisled basilica C. In the centre of the settlement ruins of houses were discovered as well as underground cisterns and the third basilica in the settlement, basilica B.
The cemetery of the settlement comprises monumental tombs hewn in the steep rock over the western and south-west shores of the cape.
On the natural plateau between the basilicas and the cemetery, the St George pilgrimage site developed, with premises to accommodate the pilgrims, around the one-aisled small church of St George, dating from the end of the 14th beginning of the 16th centuries AD.
The large stone built ,domed church of St George was built in recent years.
Source : Antiquities Department -Republic of Cyprus
District: Pafos
Administration: Department of Antiquities – Republic of Cyprus
Working hours:
Winter Hours September 16th – April 15th: Monday – Sunday 8:30 to 16:00.
Summer Hours 16 April – 15 September: Monday – Sunday 9:30 to 17:00
Closed January 1, Easter Sunday and 25 December.
Open all round the year.
Facilities: The archaeological site is inaccessible to persons on wheelchairs. Tickets can be purchased in cash only. Groups over 11 persons get a 20% discount on the entrance fee (2,50 Euros) if accompanied by a licensed guide. There are weekly, daily tickets (25 Euros and 8.50 Euros respectively) and 3 day special entry card (17 euros) available at any museum or archaeological site in the competence of the Antiquities Department. There are Toilets. Brochures in Greek, English and German are obtainable at the site free of charge.
Telephone / Fax : 00357-26812301 / —
Website / email: www.mcw .gov.cy /mcw /da/da./nsf / antiquitiesdept@da.mcw.gov
Entrance Fee: 2,50 Euros. Free access for children below the age of 14. (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 obtainable at the entrance or any museum or archaeological site under the competence of the Antiquities Department.
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