Episkopi Lemesou, Limassol, CY
Kourion of Cyprus | Map

Kourion is an ancient city from the 12th century B.C., and it is a mesmerizing archaeological site located on the west coast of Limassol, specifically in Episkopi. Kourion is described as the House of Gladiators, the House of Eustolios and the House of Achilles. Multiple events, festivals, musicals and theatrical performances take place at Kourion since it has a spectacular Greco-Roman amphitheater that was built in the 2nd century B.C. Kourion also has the view of the Mediterranean Sea, and it has preserved mosaics.

In the late 19th century, Luigi Palma di Censola, a Consul to Cyprus for the U.S. and a treasure hunter, has removed a number of artifacts from Kourion that he transported in America for the exhibition of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Some other pieces were bought by Stanford University, but they were ruined during an earthquake in California that happened in 1906. The Semitic Museum in Harvard University ended up having another portion of that same collection.

Between 1893 and 1899, the British occupied the island of Cyprus and during that period they conducted excavations that allowed them to enrich their Cypriot artifact collection at the British Museum. Another part of Kourion is its theater. Originally, Kourion Theater was built by the Greeks, but it went through alterations during the Roman era. The Theater was destroyed in the 4th century A.D., but it is now restored, and it currently has a beautiful coastal view.

Kourion is a must see attraction when visiting Cyprus and has an enormous history to reveal to tourists who are willing to explore it. Do not miss out on the amazing opportunity to discover new cultures and the history hidden behind them.

 

Open Daily: 08:00-17:00 from November to March

08:00-18:00 from April to May and from September to October

08:00-19:30 from June to August

Entrance Fee: 1.70 Euro