The old Nea Paphos was founded in the twelfth century BC and was spread over 950 square metres, in 58 BC it was annexed to Rome and made money by trading with Alexandria, Rhodes and Athens. It was the capital of Cyprus at the time of the Greeks and Romans, and its importance is demonstrated by the riches it has preserved. Villas adorned with splendid mosaics, carefully restored in 1962, brought to light the house of Dionysus, the god of wine, and Theseus, the hero who, with his club, fights the Minotaur, the monster of Crete.
These scenes from Greek mythology are depicted on the floors of patrician villas from the third and fifth centuries AD, considered among the finest in the Mediterranean. The oldest mosaic dates back to the Hellenistic period. It is made of black and white tiles and depicts Scylla (fish-dog-woman) with a trident and dolphins. Countless are the well-preserved archaeological sites of great beauty.
