Petra tou Romiou, Kouklia, Cyprus

Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite's Rock, is a sea stack in Paphos. The combination of the beauty of the area and its status in mythology as the birthplace of Aphrodite makes it a popular tourist location. According to one legend, this rock is the site of the birth of the goddess Aphrodite, perhaps owing to the foaming waters around the rock fragments. Another legend associates the name Achni with the nearby beach, and attributes this to it being a site where the Achaeans came ashore on their return from Troy.

Excavations have unearthed the spectacular 3rd- to 5th-century mosaics of the Houses of Dionysus, Orpheus and Aion, and the Villa of Theseus, buried for 16 centuries and yet remarkably intact. The mosaic floors of these noblemen's villas are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mainly depict scenes from Greek mythology.

The present name Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek) associates the place with the exploits of the hero Basil as told in the Digenes Akritas. Basil was half-Greek (Romios) and half-Arabic, hence the name Digenes (two-blood). Legend tells that Basil hurled the huge rock from the Troodos Mountains to keep off the invading Saracens. A nearby rock is similarly known as the Saracen Rock.

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Samuel Bassaly (3 years ago)
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Aphrodite's rock where Aphrodite is thought to have been born, and it was an absolutely incredible experience. Located on the beautiful island of Cyprus, this iconic site is a must-see for anyone interested in history, mythology, or just stunning natural beauty. The rock itself is a breathtaking natural wonder, with stunning views of the surrounding coastline and crystal clear waters. It's easy to see why this spot has been revered for centuries as a place of great beauty and power. But the true highlight of my visit was learning about the legend of Aphrodite's birth. According to ancient mythology, the goddess of love and beauty was born from the foam of the sea at this very spot, and it's easy to imagine the magic and wonder of that moment as you stand at the foot of the rock. Overall, I highly recommend a visit to the rock. It's a truly fascinating and beautiful place that offers a glimpse into the rich history and mythology of Cyprus. The site is well-maintained and offers plenty of amenities for visitors, including a gift shop. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and added to the overall positive experience. All in all, it was a truly memorable and enjoyable visit that I would recommend to anyone interested in history, mythology, or just a unique and beautiful natural setting.

Dave Wood (3 years ago)
This was a good land mark to visit. Legend says if you swim around the rock three times you will find true love. It is a nice beach day with a kiosk not to far away but can get busy especially at sun set, a jewel in the crown of Cyprus.

Aurel Mihai Andrei (3 years ago)
As Aphrodite was the goddess of beauty so does this beach is well deservingly named after her. A place in which the sea gives way to an exquisite view, a beach where you may very well get a tan but also sit on any rock and contemplate on the beauty of the sea and the surrounding area. I highly recommend this place but, a kind reminder, the holes within the beautiful rocks are not garbage cans, please clean up behind you!

Thanasi Loukas (3 years ago)
Amazing beach. It's has a store at the top with food and drinks. I suggest grabbing something before you go down. The beach is the birthplace of Aphrodite so legend says you should drink a bit of the water while you swim to gain her beauty ?

Dovydas Krakauskas (3 years ago)
One of the most beautiful places in whole Cyprus in my opinion. Maybe the beach is a bit too stoned but if you like hiking on huge rocks/ or swimming to hike ones more further in the sea, this is a place for you. There is a shop for snacks and ice cream near by, shade is also there every time by the biggest rock.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.

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