Aphrodite’s Cultural Route

November 24, 2014 at 8:00 am · Filed under cyprus, international travel, tourism, travel and tagged: aphrodite cultural route, baths of aphrodite, cyprus, rock of aphrodite, travel writing

By Linda Tancs

The ancient island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.  To be sure, you’ll find no shortage of sites commemorating her existence, especially along the cultural routes dedicated to her lore.  One of the most popular is Petra tou Romiou (Rock of Aphrodite), a series of huge rocks off the southwest coast in the Pafos district from where the goddess is said to have risen amongst the waves.  Even today, under the right weather conditions a human-like foam reputedly arises from the waves crashing against the rocks.  And what would the tale of Aphrodite be without her lover, Adonis?  They fell in love at the Baths of Aphrodite, a grotto towards the tip of the Akamas peninsula where Adonis met her while she bathed.  The site lies at the end of a nature trail that offers spectacular views towards Cape Arnaoutis, Polis and Pafos Forest.

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