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ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

ARCHEOLOGICAL PLACES

SANCTUARY OF APOLLO HYLATIS

 

 

The sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, protector of the Woodland, was one of the main religious centers of ancient Cyprus. Archaeological discoveries attest that he was worshipped at the site as early as the 8th century BC and continued until the 4th century AD. The majority of the monuments seen today belong to the site’s acme period during the 1st c. AD, around the reign of Trajan.

 Originally, the site consisted of a temple (traces of which survive in the foundations of the present temple), a circular monument, and a formalized Archaic Altar and Precinct. During the Roman period the site was extended with the addition of the south and north buildings, which may have been used for the display of votives or the accommodation of visitors. Terracotta figurines and pottery that were accumulated in the temple from the 5th century BC to the Roman period were buried in the votive pit.

 The majority of the monuments - as they can be seen today - belong to the site's 1st century AD restorations, and consist of Apollo’s temple (which has been partly restored), pilgrim halls, the ‘palaistra’ (where athletes exercised and played games), a bath complex, and a holy precinct.

 

Region: Lemesos (Limassol)

Address:              3km west of Kourion Archaeological Site [22km west of Lemesos on the road towards Pafos (Paphos)]

Contact No:        Tel: +357 99 630 238

Operating Hours:              September 16 - April 15, daily: 08.30 - 17:00

April 16 - September 15, daily: 08:30 - 19:30

Operating Period:            All year round.

Website:              www.mcw.gov.cy/da

 

No Bus near.  Get  Bus Nr 16 at the Old Hospital to Kourion. Get off at the final bus stop and walk 3km to the west  to find the Sanctuary.