Nea Pafos on the far west coast of the island is the site of some impressive mosaics, a relic of the Roman occupation of Cyprus. In 58 BC the Romans annexed the island and. Pafos became the political and organizational centre of their administration. The surviving opulent mosaics reflect the importance of the public and private buildings that were built towards the end of the 2nd century AD. To date the excavated buildings include an Agora, a Theatre, an Amphitheatre, an Odeon and an Asklepieion. There were also temples dedicated to Aphrodite, Artemis, Apollo, Zeus, Leto and probably Dionysos.

The first mosaics in Nea Pafos were discovered by chance in 1962. A systematic excavation carried out between 1962 and 1965 revealed the most spectacular group of mosaics in Cyprus.

The mosaics visible today survived earthquakes in the second half of the 4th century A.D. and the majority of them are displayed in their original position. Though now they are protected from the elements with shelters erected by the Department of Antiquities.

The ancient city of Kourion on the southern coast near to Episkopi was also a place of administrative importance for the Romans. Though there is evidence that, like Nea Pafos, the site suffered in the earthquakes of the 4th century AD. Here also the opulent mosaics are an indication of the importance of the Roman citizens who lived here so many centuries ago.

Thanks to the generosity of The Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation there are excellent guidebooks available which describe the mosaics in greater detail. But of course, no words can describe the thrill of actually seeing the magnificence of their craftsmanship for yourself.