Temple of Apollo Hylates, Episkopi, Limassol
Directions€2,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards - €8,50, three (3) day entry cards - €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards - €25,00.
September 16 - April 15, daily: 08.30 - 17:00
April 16 - September 15, daily: 08:30 - 19:30
All year round.
Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).
Note: The CultureSpot team is doing its best to provide the most accurate information through regular updates. However, operating hours, entrance fees and any details thereof are subject to change without prior notice. Visitors are recommended to verify the information before planning their visit.
Apollon Hylates, known as the God of the Woodland, served as the guardian deity of Kourion, and it is believed that people worshipped him at this location from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The sanctuary dedicated to him held great religious significance and underwent several expansions and modifications during various periods.
Originally, the site comprised a temple (traces of which remain in the foundations of the current temple), a circular monument, and a structured Archaic Altar and Precinct. During the Roman era, further additions were made to the site, including the south and north buildings, which might have been utilized to exhibit votive offerings or accommodate visitors. The temple served as a repository for terracotta figurines and pottery collected from the 5th century BC to the Roman period, which were eventually interred in a votive pit.
Most of the monuments visible today date back to the 1st century AD restorations, and they include a partly restored temple dedicated to Apollo, pilgrim halls, a 'palaistra' used for athletic exercises and games, a bath complex, and a sacred precinct.
Situated on the left bank of the river Pediaios, in the region that now encompasses the villages of Politiko, Pera, and Episkopio, stands a vast archaeological site with remarkable discoveries. Among the findings are the temple of Aphrodite, two grand royal tombs, and several smaller burial sites.
In the Dali Village area of Cyprus lies the significant archaeological site of Idalion, renowned for its abundant discoveries displayed in prestigious museums worldwide. The origins of this ancient city are attributed to Chalcanor, an Achaean hero from the Trojan War and a descendant of Teucer, the founder of Salamis.
Amathous, an important ancient city-kingdom in Cyprus, holds mythological significance as it was where the Greek hero Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne in the care of local women. The city was also a significant center for worshipping the Goddess Aphrodite-Astarte. The archaeological site of Amathous boasts a wealth of historical discoveries. Among them are the Agora, the public baths, the Temple of Aphrodite, early Christian basilicas, and several tombs.
Kourion, one of the island's most significant city-kingdoms in ancient times, boasts remarkable archaeological remains that have been extensively excavated. These findings can be explored at the site. Built atop hills, the city-kingdom of Kourion commanded a view of the fertile valley of the river Kouris. Archaeological evidence suggests a connection between Kourion and the Greek legend of Argos of Peloponnese, with its inhabitants believing they were descendants of Argean immigrants.
Kolossi castle stands as a splendid illustration of military architecture, originally constructed in the 13th century and later rebuilt in its current form during the 15th century. Following the fall of Acre in 1291, it assumed the role of the Grand Commandery for the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.