Image
Aphrodite Cultural Route in Cyprus
Published on 27 August 2019
Cyprus
Kýpros
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Cyprus has always been considered the ‘Island of Aphrodite’, and no other place in the world can boast of being the birthplace of the Goddess of Love and Beauty. In the 8th century BC, Homer mentions Aphrodite as ‘Kypris’ and ‘Golden Aphrodite’, whilst there are many myths connected to Aphrodite that possibly originated on the island, including those concerning Aphrodite and Hephaistos, Aphrodite and Ares, and Aphrodite and Adonis.
With a historically accurate programme of cultural routes - centred on the search for the traces that Aphrodite has left throughout the island - visitors embark upon an enchanted journey through the sites of Palaipafos (Kouklia) in the Pafos (Paphos) region, the ancient city kingdom of Amathus in the Lemesos (Limassol) region, and Kition, in the Larnaka (Larnaca) region. Each is linked to other sites and museums, where artefacts related to the Goddess endure to this day. And upon the way, you will delight in learning all about her birth, mythology and character, as well as the rituals, plants and seashells connected with her cult.
Palaipafos – which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site - has the deepest links with the Goddess, as it is the area that played a central role in the genesis (birth) of Kyprida Aphrodite, and combines the most interesting sites of the route, including the main archaeological site of Palaipafos (Kouklia) and the Chalcolithic site of Lempa. There are also a number of related museums, nature sites and trails in the region.
With a historically accurate programme of cultural routes - centred on the search for the traces that Aphrodite has left throughout the island - visitors embark upon an enchanted journey through the sites of Palaipafos (Kouklia) in the Pafos (Paphos) region, the ancient city kingdom of Amathus in the Lemesos (Limassol) region, and Kition, in the Larnaka (Larnaca) region. Each is linked to other sites and museums, where artefacts related to the Goddess endure to this day. And upon the way, you will delight in learning all about her birth, mythology and character, as well as the rituals, plants and seashells connected with her cult.
Palaipafos – which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site - has the deepest links with the Goddess, as it is the area that played a central role in the genesis (birth) of Kyprida Aphrodite, and combines the most interesting sites of the route, including the main archaeological site of Palaipafos (Kouklia) and the Chalcolithic site of Lempa. There are also a number of related museums, nature sites and trails in the region.
Resources needed
Human resources to identify, create, map, link & promote the route.
Branding of the route.
Links with intangible heritage.
Signposting of the route.
Provision of supporting services along the route (inc. Tourism SMEs).
Marketing of the route as a sustainable cultural tourism asset.
Publicity.
Branding of the route.
Links with intangible heritage.
Signposting of the route.
Provision of supporting services along the route (inc. Tourism SMEs).
Marketing of the route as a sustainable cultural tourism asset.
Publicity.
Evidence of success
The Cultural Route of Aphrodite in Cyprus has generated significant interest by visitors looking for alternative ways of experiencing the cultural heritage during their holidays.
The Cultural Route of Aphrodite is marketed by the regional tourism boards, particularly pafos Regional Board of Tourism as in Pafos region are located the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite (Petra tou Romiou), as well as the sanctuary of Aphrodite at Palaipafos and Aphrodite's baths at Latsi in north Pafos region.
The Cultural Route of Aphrodite is marketed by the regional tourism boards, particularly pafos Regional Board of Tourism as in Pafos region are located the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite (Petra tou Romiou), as well as the sanctuary of Aphrodite at Palaipafos and Aphrodite's baths at Latsi in north Pafos region.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Aphrodite Cultural Route in Cyprus is a good paradigm of mythology, traditions and intangible heritage used as a basis for creating cultural itineraries for visitors. This model can be replicated in other parts of Europe where similar legends and/or intangible heritage exist, to create cultural routes and related cultural tourism products and services.
The cultural routes are recognised as an excellent means of creating sustainable and responsible tourism around heritage themes. The need is for local/regional/national cultural routes to be linked up with other initiatives in other European countries for the development and promotion of European Cultural Routes for sustainable regional development and employment generation (Growth and Jobs), particularly in tourism SMEs along the cultural routes.
The cultural routes are recognised as an excellent means of creating sustainable and responsible tourism around heritage themes. The need is for local/regional/national cultural routes to be linked up with other initiatives in other European countries for the development and promotion of European Cultural Routes for sustainable regional development and employment generation (Growth and Jobs), particularly in tourism SMEs along the cultural routes.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Cyprus Tourism Organisation
Cyprus
Kýpros
Contact
Executive Manager