Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite's Rock, is a sea stack located off the coast of Paphos, Cyprus. According to Greek mythology, it is the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. The rock formation is a popular tourist attraction due to its natural beauty and mythical significance. Nearby are the ruins of ancient Paphos, which contain beautiful Roman mosaics depicting scenes from Greek mythology and housed an important temple of Aphrodite from the 12th century BC. Paphos Castle overlooks the harbor and has played an important defensive role throughout its Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman history.

1. PETRA TOU ROMIOU
Petra tou Romiou, also known
as Aphrodite's Rock, is a sea
stack in Paphos, Cyprus. It is
located off the shore along the
main road from Paphos to
Limassol. The combination of
the beauty of the area and its
status in mythology as the
birthplace of Aphrodite makes
it a popular tourist location.

2. PETRA TOY ROMIOU
According to one legend,
this rock is the site of
the birth of the
goddess Aphrodite,
perhaps owing to the
foaming waters around the
rock fragments, and for
this reason it is known
as Aphrodite's Rock

3. PETRA TOY ROMIOU
The present name Petra tou Romiou
("Rock of the Roman") associates the
place with the exploits of the hero Basil
as told in the Digenes Akritas. Basil was
half-Byzantine (East Roman or Romios)
and half-Arabic,hence the name Digenes
(two-blood). Legend tells that the
Christian Basil hurled a huge rock from
the Troodos Mountains to keep off the
invading Saracens. A nearby rock is
similarly known as the Saracen Rock.

6. Paphos Mosaics

7. Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic
period. It was a center of the cult of Aphrodite and
of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite's
legendary birthplace was on this island, where her
temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th
century B.C. The remains of villas, palaces,
theatres, fortresses and tombs mean that the site
is of exceptional architectural and historic value.
The mosaics of Nea Paphos are among the most
beautiful in the world.

8. Paphos contains important
residences with mosaic floors of the
3rd century BC. One of these is the
"house of Dionysus", which is so
named because Dionysus is
depicted in many of its mosaics.
One of the most characteristic is the
"Dionysus Triumph": the god
Dionysus is depicted on a chariot
dragged by two panthers and
accompanied by Bacchus, who has a
large crater with wine and his
followers.

10. There is, also a large number of
mosaic mosaics in the atrium
and in the halls of the house,
with scenes from Greek
mythology (Dionysos and
Ikarios, Neptune and Amymoni,
Apollo and Dafni, Zeus and
Ganymedes, Hippolytus and
Faidras, The 4 seasons,
Narcissus, etc.) , as well as
hunting scenes and other varied
and colorful geometric motifs.

12. The "house of Theseus", also in Paphos, took its name from the mosaic
depicting Theseus killing the Minotaur. The central representation lies within a
broad circular frame, which is a schematic rendition of the labyrinth. At the
center of the circle, Theseus portrays the Minotaur and is ready to hit him with
the bat he holds in his upright right hand. There is also the form of an elder,
personification of the Labyrinth, and two female figures, Ariadne and Crete. The
names of all the persons depicted are written in the mosaic.

13. Paphos Castle

14. Paphos Castle is located on the
edge of Paphos harbour.
It was originally built as a
Byzantine fort to protect the
harbour. It was then rebuilt by
the Lusignans in the thirteenth
century after being destroyed in
the earthquake of 1222. In 1570
it was dismantled by the
Venetians. After capturing the
island, the Ottomans restored
and strengthened it.
PAPHOS

15. Throughout the ages it
has seen many uses. It
has served as a fortress,
a prison and even a
warehouse for salt
during the British
occupation of the island.
More recently the castle
serves as a backdrop to
the annual open air
Paphos cultural festival
which takes place in
September.

16. It was declared an
Ancient Monument in
1935 and represents
one of the most
distinctive landmarks of
the city of Paphos.
Several archaeological
excavations have taken
place to investigate its
past.

18. THANKS FOR WATCHING
MIXALIS DIMITRIOY
ZORKA PENKOBA
IZET MUSTAFOV
CHRISTODOULOS LOIZOY
ANARITA PRIMARY SCHOOL
PAPHOS CYPRUS