Tombs of the Kings (Paphos)

Cyprus / Government controlled area / Pafos / Paphos
 necropolis, open air museum, UNESCO World Heritage Site, archaeology museum, fenced area
The Tombs of the Kings ("τάφοι των βασιλέων", tafi ton vasileon in Greek) is a large necropolis lying a little over a mile (two kilometres) north-west of Paphos harbour in Cyprus.
The underground tombs, many of which date back to the 4th century BCE, are carved out of the solid rock, and are thought to have been the burial sites of Paphitic aristocrats and high officials up to 3 CE (the name comes from the magnificence of the tombs; no kings were in fact buried here). Some of the tombs feature Doric columns and frescoed walls. Archaeological excavations are still being carried out at the site. The tombs are cut into the native rock, and at times imitated the houses of the living.
www.windowoncyprus.com/images/tomb_map2.gif
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tombs_of_the_Kings_(Paphos)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   34°46'32"N   32°24'18"E
This article was last modified 16 years ago