Cyprus: Historical and DescriptiveLöher, Franz von
History
Cyprus: Historical and Descriptive
Löher, Franz von
Cyprus -- Description and travel; Cyprus -- History
As we now approached the coast I saw before me the portion of country,
formerly dedicated to the worship of the Goddess of Beauty. This tract,
which is about one and a half leagues broad, extends for three or four
leagues along the shore, and slopes gently to the sea. Directly before
me lay the small town of Ktima, whilst somewhat lower down, nestled a
small fort. On this spot formerly stood the city of New Paphos, and
on the left, about two leagues distant, the village of Kuklia, which
stands upon the site of Old Paphos. The scenery at this spot possesses
much quiet beauty. In the rear tower the dark hills, looking down upon
an extensive open tract of fields, whilst in front spreads the sea,
the waters of which encroach upon the land in a picturesque variety
of curves and tiny bays. At this spot, the ocean-born goddess was
supposed to have been borne upon the waves to shore, and here, upon a
slight eminence, the most famous and ancient of her numerous temples
was erected. Crowds of pilgrims and eager worshippers hurried to the
spot and joined in the excited processions that passed backwards and
forwards between Old and New Paphos.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE TEMPLE OF VENUS.
My journey terminated for the present at the house of the Bishop of
Baffo, who resides in Ktima. The bishop, who is a young and stately
man, received me with the greatest kindness and affability. He at once
conducted me to a luxurious apartment, where we seated ourselves upon
soft cushions placed on a costly Turkey carpet, and my host resumed the
ten feet long chibouk, filled with choice tobacco, he had been smoking
when I was announced, and courteously offered another to me. It was
quite evident the worthy bishop was a man of substance, and thoroughly
enjoyed the good things of this life. From the roof of the house I
obtained a magnificent view of the sea and neighbouring coast.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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