Our Tour of Kourion

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Kourion Apollo Temple

On the south-west coast of the island, just 16km west
of Limassol, are the remains of Kourion, one of the ancient
kingdoms of Cyprus. Many of the remains on the site are located
on an Acropolis looking out to the sea and benefitting from
the cool sea breezes. The city was destroyed by a major
earthquake in the mid-4th century AD and many of the remains
date back to those times 18 centuries or more years ago.

Kourion is a large site, spread out over 1 km of the Acropolis
with 7 or 8 major features. Exploration work continues with
possibly more significant finds awaiting discovery. We had
4 or 5 hours scheduled but the whole site could justify more.

The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates

Our tour started at the Sanctuary of Apollo
Hylates (Apollo of the Woodlands), some 3km west
of, and separate from, the main acropolis.
We entered through the Kourion Gate.

The whole sanctuary displays a large group of
buildings, with the remains of a long, Doric
portico extending between the Kourion Gate
to the east and the Paphos Gate to the west.

Kourion Apollo Hylates S0001

The South Building

Kourion Apollo Hylates 1186 Kourion Apollo Hylates 1188 Kourion Apollo Hylates 1189 Kourion Apollo Hylates 1190

...and more scenes around The South Building

Kourion Apollo Hylates 1195 Kourion Apollo Hylates 1197 Kourion Apollo Hylates 1198 Kourion Apollo Hylates 1199

Members of our tour party in front of Temple of Apollo

Kourion Apollo Temple 1200 Kourion Apollo Temple 1207

Site of circular monument and nearby cistern

Kourion Apollo Circular 1202 Kourion Apollo Circular S0011 Kourion Apollo Cistern 1204 Kourion Apollo Cistern 1205

Sanctuary of Apollo - Baths

Kourion Apollo Baths 1212 Kourion Apollo Baths 1210 Kourion Apollo Baths 1211

The Theatre

We left The Apollo Sanctuary for the 15 minutes walk to the Theatre.

The overall dimensions of the theatre date from the 2nd century AD, but it was re-arranged early in the 3rd century with
the lower seats formed in to walled arena for hunting spectacles. Later in the century it was reconverted to a proper theatre,
but then abandoned within 100 years. What we see today has had some modern restoration work completed on it.

Kourion Theatre S0043 Kourion Theatre 1214 Kourion Theatre 1213

The House of Eustolios

Although the House of Eustolios was initially built in an early Roman period, what is seen today
dates from the early years of the 5th centruy AD. It is renown for its impressive collection of mosaic floors.
Unfortunately these are definitely showing signs of deterioration with staines and fading.
They are also difficult to photograph properly by the viewing public.
The following illustrations of mosaics are scanned from official guide books.
Kourion Eustolios 52561

Kourion EustoliosMosaic7 Kourion EustoliosMosaic1 Kourion EustoliosMosaic3
Kourion EustoliosMosaic2 Kourion EustoliosMosaic4
Kourion EustoliosMosaic5 Kourion EustoliosMosaic6

The House of the Earthquake

We left the House of Eustolios and walked to look at the Roman private house destroyed by the earthquake,
with its poignant story of the remains found of a 13 year-old girl and her mule killed by falling stones.

Kourion Earthquake 1215 Kourion Earthquake 1216

The Early Christian Basilica including Remains of Bishop's Palace

We next toured the remains of the Early Christian Basilica and its surrounding remains.
Much has been destroyed since its founding in the early years of the 5th century AD, but it must
have been an imposing complex in its prime. Certain parts of it are still well-defined, such as
Baptistry and nearby Atrium. The Chancel and Nave are less well-defined. Its location over-
looking the sea, would have added to its impressive appearance.
Kourion Basilica 1230 Kourion Basilica 1229 Kourion Basilica 1228 Kourion Basilica 1232

... and a few more scenes near the Chancel and Atrium.
Kourion Basilica 1224 Kourion Basilica 1226 Kourion Basilica 1227

The Bishop's Palace
Kourion Bishop 1218 Kourion Bishop 1219 Kourion Bishop 1221 Kourion Bishop 1222

The Roman Nymphaeum

The Nymphaeum was the sanctuary of the Nymphs who were the daughters of Poseidon, or, to put it in prosaic terms,
a Roman building containing a fountain, adorned with plants and sculpture, and serving as a place of rest.

Here, at Kourion, it is located within a large complex of installations that are
associated with the irrigation of the city and the baths. Its building and development were
spread over 600 years from the 1st century AD, until destroyed in the 7th century.

Kourion Nympharaeum 1237 Kourion Nympharaeum 1238 Kourion Nympharaeum S0067 Kourion Nympharaeum S0068

Kourion Nympharaeum 1233 Kourion Nympharaeum 1235

The House of Gladiators

The House of Gladiators is located in the extreme north end of the site. It is a complex of rooms and
corridors, with an inner court. Some rooms are paved with mosaics and it is from one of these that the house
gets it name. As before, the mosaics are difficult to photograph and seem to be fading and deteriorating.
Kourion Gladiator 1240 Kourion Gladiator 1241

Kourion Gladiator 1242 Kourion Gladiator 1243 Kourion Gladiator 1244

The House of Achilles

This was our final stop on our tour of the very large Kourion site. It is situated at
the tip of northern end of the site and consists of an open courtyard with rooms either side.
Kourion Achilles 1247

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To the Port City of Amathus

V1.1 - April 2016