A Geroskipou Mini Mystery
After our last blog of the strange monument near Mandria, we were delighted with the response, so we thought we would post these pictures of another forgotten site, this time in the heart of Geroskipou. Did anybody work on this site in the past, and if so, can they say why excavation work seems to have halted mid dig?
The Site
During the last days of Spring we were out exploring in Geroskipou. We stumbled across this area of land when we were looking for routes up to the interesting rock formations you can see to the East of Paphos.
A Dig In Progress
Nobody had dug here for a while, yet it was clear that there had been some excavation work performed in the not-too-distant past.
Sharp Grass
The area itself is fenced off. However I was able to walk around the outside of the fence taking these pictures. What you cannot appreciate from the shots, is how painful this experience was. The grasses were like needles pricking through my trousers. Cyprus vegetation takes no prisoners at the best of times, but I would rather walk through a patch of thistles than through that grass again.
School and Houses Nearby
Like the Necropolis at the entrance to the Akamas, the ruins have had to compete with more modern developments. I think it is inevitable, given the sheer amount of archaeological sites there are in Cyprus, that some of them will get built on. Should we treat this as an outrage, or just the inevitable march of progress?
So What Was It?
Had it not been for the interest shown in the Mandria pictures, I would not have published these. The site itself is fairly small.
Page 1 of 2
Related Blogs:
Paphos Archaeological Park
When relatives visited us a few weeks ago, we took them to some of the local tourist must-see sites. A definite highpoint was the visit to the Archaeological Park. We were especially lucky because it was spring time and all the wild flowers were in bloom...
The Geroskipou Mural
When we went looking for the new Geroskipou Sculpture Park, we also wanted to take in the Old Camp, as we had seen it previously in passing, and thought it deserved a closer look. As luck would have it, they were right next to each other. However, what we didn't expect to find was a large mural that had appeared, on one of the walls of the camp. As a result, this article is somewhat larger than we originally anticipated, so sit back and enjoy the art...
Geroskipou Sculpture Park
As part of Pafo2017, a new Sculpture Park was commissioned in Geroskipou. Inspired by local history, legends and traditions, ten Cypriot and foreign sculptors have created on-site works drawing on the history of the area and, in this way, leaving behind them the traces of the European Capital of Culture. That's what the blurb says anyway. So what are they like?
Yerokipia Farm
If you have ever been to Aphrodite Water Park in Geroskipou, you may well have noticed the ruined buildings next to it. The first time I found them for myself, I assumed, wrongly, that they were the ruins of an old prison. They are in fact, all that remains of a farm that has been there for 100s of years.
Ancient Lemba
Yesterday a news headline caught my eye: "An ancient Chalcolithic settlement site in Lemba in Paphos urgently requires maintenance, according to the local community leader". We had visited this site before, so I thought I should revisit it to see just how urgent the maintenance was...
Geroskipou Sculpture Park Update
Last year we blogged about the Pafos2017 Sculpture Park that had been erected in Geroskipou. Well, a little bird told us that more work was afoot, so we took the camera to have a look...
Kissonerga Mosfilia
Tucked away in the lower reaches of Kissonerga, lies a site of great historical importance. Similar in appearance to the ancient village of Lemba, which is currently closed for maintenance, Kissonerga Mosfilia is a perfect way to spend half an hour if you fancy something a little different. Like most of our findings, it was a happy accident that brought us to this ancient settlement. We were avoiding a roadblock and happened to pass this sign on our way to the coast road. Brown signs often signal something interesting, so we stopped to take a look...Good Pages To Visit
FB PagePaphos Life on Facebook
Like us on Facebook and stay notified of new blog posts.
FB PageOur Facebook Chat Group
Paphos Chat has been created for people who like our site and want to chat using Facebook. You can also easily upload photos of any size here. A lot of people are members of the Facebook chat group and the main forum. It's entirely up to you.
ListBlog Locations
Planning a day out? Then use our map of blog locations as a handy guide. Some of the places we visit our closer to each other than you might think, so take a look and start planning your next adventure...
eBookCyprus Road Trip 01: the Kathikas - Panagia Loop
Let me take you on a journey around the region of Paphos, Cyprus. Starting at Paphos itself, we travel to Akoursos, then Kathikas, Kritou Terra and Simou. We continue past Lasa and Kannaviou, before taking in the delights of Panagia. Getting a bit more adventurous, we visit the abandoned villages of Statos and Agios Fotios, before passing through Choulou, Letymbou and Polemi, and rejoining the main Paphos - Polis road.
The route is suitable for all types of vehicle, and requires no off-roading. The guide contains about 130 photographs including shots of all the road signs you need to pay attention to, as well as some of the highlights you may experience along the way.
There are also several maps which will help you keep your bearings.
You can do this journey in a day, or you can break it up into chunks. You can also do it in reverse, to get some completely different views. It is entirely up to you.
