Aphrodite's Rock
I suppose while we are here we should look into some of the legends surrounding Aphrodite's Rock. The following comes from Wikipedia:
According to one legend, this rock is the site of the birth of the goddess Aphrodite, perhaps owing to the foaming waters around the rock fragments, and for this reason it is known as Aphrodite's Rock. Gaia (Mother Earth) asked one of her sons, Cronus, to mutilate his father, Uranus (Sky). Cronus cut off Uranus' testicles and threw them into the sea.
Similarly, the local version indicates that Aphrodite’s Rock is a part of the lower body of Uranus. This legend says that Cronus ambushed his father and cut him below the waist with a scythe. Uranus, as he tried to escape flying, lost parts of his truncated body and testicles into the sea. A white foam appeared from which a maiden arose, the waves first taking her to Kythera and then bringing her to Cyprus. The maiden, named Aphrodite, went to the assembly of gods from Cyprus. The Romans widely referred to her as Venus. Aphrodite attracted a large cult following in Paphos, which was eventually crushed by the Romans. This is evident from the Sanctuary of Aphrodite in Old Paphos, Kouklia. A local myth is that any person who swims around the Aphrodite Rock will be blessed with eternal beauty.
Another legend associates the name Achni with the nearby beach, and attributes this to it being a site where the Achaeans came ashore on their return from Troy.
The present name Petra tou Romiou ("Rock of the Roman") associates the place with the exploits of the hero Basil as told in the Digenes Akritas. Basil was half-Byzantine (East Roman or Romios) and half-Arabic, hence the name Digenes (two-blood).
Aphrodite's Rock Car Park
On a normal summer's day, that place would be packed.
Back To Base
Anyway, the battery is getting low on the drone now, so its time to head for home. Let's go and see what Alex has been up to with her camera...
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Paphos took a bit of a battering over Christmas. The storms were relentless and nature put on a display the match of any New Year's Eve pyrotechnics. Once the dust had settled, we took our cameras out for a spin. This is the blog of the film we published a couple of days ago...Related Pages
MapAphrodite's Rock
Valentine's Day is upon us once again, so let's forget about all our travels and take a romantic trip to Petra to Romiou, or Aphrodite's Rock, as we tend to call it.Today we present a triple whammy of photographic fun, from myself, my lovely wife, and our fully licensed drone. So snuggle up with your loved one and enjoy the beauty that is one of the many jewels in Cyprus' romantic crown.
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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.
