KURION ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

This 70-hectare site (Kourion Archaeological Site, Αρχαιολογικός Χώρος Κουρίου/Archeologikos Choros Kouriou) is spectacular: it overlooks Kourion beach, offering a beautiful contrast between the ochre of the old stones, the blue of the sea and the surrounding greenery. Located on British territory, it is managed by the Department of Antiquities of the Republic of Cyprus. It houses the remains of Kourion, one of the island's twelve city-states in ancient times. The forerunner of Limassol, the city was founded around 675 B.C. by Greek settlers from Argolid (Peloponnese) on a site that had been inhabited since the ^13th century B.C. Remodeled and called Curium by the Romans, it was damaged by earthquakes, partly rebuilt, then finally abandoned after the Arab raids of the ^7th century. Extensively plundered by Russian and American consuls in the ^19th century, Kourion was later excavated by archaeologists from the British Museum (UK) and the University of Pennsylvania (USA) in the ^20th century. The site is well laid out, but two important elements (the stadium and the sanctuary) are located outside the main area. Some of the artefacts found on site are on display at the Episkopi Archaeological Museum.

Theater and mosaics. The ancient theater is the most important monument here. Built in the ^2nd century BC, it was transformed by the Romans to accommodate up to 3,500 spectators. Classically designed, it retains its orchestra and auditorium. Converted into an arena in the ^3rd century, it was used for fights between wild beasts and gladiators. Now, in July, part of the International Festival of Ancient Greek Theater is held here. To the east of the theater, a canopy houses the large, well-preserved mosaics of the "House of Eftolios", a leisure and spa complex built after the earthquakes of the ^4th century on the ruins of the villa of Eftolios, a wealthy Greek resident. Further on are the remains of a^5th-century basilica and the agora (market and central square), with large public baths nearby and a nymphaeum, a small temple dedicated to the nymphs. Finally, about 100 m northeast of the agora, the ancient ^3rd-century patrician villa, known as the "House of the Gladiators", owes its current name to its mosaic depicting two gladiators named Margaritis and Hellenikos sparring.