Sanctuary of Aphrodite UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pissouri, & Lambouri Winery, Cyprus

 

We left early today to take in as much as we could for our last full day in Cyprus.  We drove to the Sanctuary of Aphrodite which was 10 minutes from where we were based in Aphrodite Hills.  The site has changed much since we were here last in 2010, it has developed with more to see.

This was a beautiful, perfectly symmetrical tree with a bench surrounding the trunk made from stones common to Cyprus and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea in the background.  

Who could refuse?

This was once a beautifully carved marble statue of Aphrodite.  Her head has been plundered and no doubt resides in some museum somewhere in the world or someone's private collection.  Such a shame.

The museum is now in the old manor house that was built much later in the 13th century AD by the Lusignian Kings.  It by itself is a beautiful building but barely gets noticed with its 12th-century BC surroundings.

We watched a 10-minute video of Aphrodite and her history.  In the video room were two plexiglass squares on the floor, so that you can see down to some excavations underneath the building.  We saw ancient pillars underneath.  

We moved on to the museum which happened to be my favorite museum that we visited in Cyprus.  There were so many pieces that were gasp-worthy like a carved limestone bathtub dating back to the 11th century BCE.  This 3000 + year old bathtub had an inner seat and a place to hold the soap and sponge.  It is the biggest and most elaborate bathtub ever found in Cyprus.  It was found in a tomb which would indicate that the tomb held a person of great wealth, who was accustomed to luxury.  It was fabulous and would be a coveted piece in any house 3000 years later than it was made.

The picture does not let you know how large it was.  I could have fit into it and I am a big girl.

There was a sarcophagus that was stunning and the most elaborate that I have seen.  It still had the carvings intact and the colour that was painted on the carvings was still vivid.  It is supposed to be the best-preserved sarcophagus in all of Europe.  I couldn't stop staring at it wondering who had been buried in it?

There were other exemplary pieces in the museum.

This is Aphrodite depicted in mosaic tile.  This is the original section taken from the floor of the temple.

Aphrodite had a cult following and she was considered the goddess of fertility originally, then she morphed into the goddess of love and into human/God form in the later millennium.  The black basalt rock was actually what was worshiped and found in the temple.  There are writings of Homer that speak of her in this form.

The mosaic floors in the museum were excellent as well.

A jug from the 12th century BCE.  It is in ridiculously good condition and was most likely buried in sand and forgotten for 3 millennia. 

This clay storage jar was found buried up to its rim and dates back to the 14th century BCE.  They believe it may have had some use in rituals.  This jar was massive and over 4 feet tall.

I had never seen one of these before and it stood about 5 feet tall.  It is a Votive temple which is extremely rare and the only one found in all of Cyprus.  Important people coming to Aphrodite's temple would place their sacrifices inside.

We moved on to the rest of the site where there is a lot to see.  There are acres of remnants of the ancient megalithic temple of Aprodite built in the 12th century BCE.  Thousands of people would have come to the temple on pilgrimage to worship Aphrodite.  A thick stone wall still stands strong thousands of years later in remembrance of an ancient pagan deity.

This stone was humungous and you wonder while looking at it how did they move this sucker?

Leda the mother of Helen of Troy has a house on the grounds not far from where the megalithic temple would have stood.

It is a very interesting site that takes a couple of hours to do properly.  The price is 4.50 euros.

Pissouri is a pretty little town high in the mountains not far from where we stayed.  We went there often to get groceries and to eat at the quaint little restaurants.  We stopped in two days in a row to eat Halloumi which is a Cypriot cheese they call squeaky cheese.  It really does squeak when you chew into its salty textured goodness.  It is served grilled and it is so delicious that I will think often of it in a fond way after I leave Cyprus.  

A cactus and a bougainvillea combined, which was a unique look.

Eating at one of the outdoor cafes.

The cats are ever present in Pissouri.  They are adorable and will come running if they sense that you may give them some food or some love.  Don't miss the town square with its delightful little cobble-stoned streets.

Pissouris's twisty cobble-stoned streets are high up in the mountain with some killer views.

We continued our drive through Cyprus up into another mountain area to take in the wines of Lambouri Winery.  It is a premier boutique winery with some very good spirits as well as wine.  I liked the ambiance of the place.  It is always a little cooler up in higher elevations but the grapes like it and grow well.  They had a fire going in the fireplace to warm us as we drank and tasted 4 wines, and two liqueurs.  Corey even took in a whiskey.

At Lambouri Winery drinking our wine tastings.

I loved the dry Rose wine and the Hazelnut liqueur.  The Commandaria is made from grapes and tastes like an excellent thick Port.  Commandarias can only be made in Cyprus and only in certain vineyards.  It is absolutely delicious.  It tasted like a combination of chocolate, caramel and raisin.

All good things must come to an end and our time in Cyprus is no different.  I love Cyprus and we will be back.