CYPRUS: KOURION

The cultural richness of Cyprus is epitomized by its old stones.

Located 15 km (9 miles) west of Limassol, Kourion is probably the most remarkable archaeological site on the island.

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Kourion offers superb ruins from Greek and Roman times, such as those of this Early Christian Basilica.

Kourion is in fact made up of several distinct sites, all built between the 1st century BC and the 5th century AD.

Here are the Columns of the Dormitories at the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates.

Here are the ruins of the Public Baths or Nymphaeum...

...with a finely sculpted column.

One of the most beautiful buildings: the temple of Apollo, dating from the 1st century of our era.

It is also sometimes called the Sanctuary of Hylates, which was the former name of that god.

But the most spectacular site of Kourion is this Roman amphitheatre of 3,500 seats dating from the 2nd century AD.

Other remarkable relics: Roman mosaics from the 5th century.

Here Ktisis, incarnation of the creative power, holds in her hand the Roman measuring unit: the "foot".

This mosaic, present in the ruins of the house of Eustolios, is the best preserved.