Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church

Panagia Chrysopolitissa Basilica church mosaicsPanagia Chrysopolitissa's church's actual name is Chrysopolitissa Basilica. It was one of the first and biggest Christian Basilicas churches that were built in Cyprus.

Panagia Chrysopolitissa - or Chrysopolitissa Basilica Church was built in the second half of the 4th century AD. It was a very impressive church of enormous size, decorated with nice mosaics and art crafted pillars. During the 4th and 6th centuries AD, the Chrysopolitissa Basilica was decorated with beautiful mosaics floors, parts of which are rescued up to today. 

Chrysopolitissa Basilica suffered enormous damages during the Saracens (Arabs) raids, which took place around the first half of the 7th century. The church suffered another big damage because of the devastating earthquake that hit the area towards the end of the 7th century (685AD). 

The stone-built church of Agia Kyriaki located just next to the Basilica was built in the 15th century. Today it is used by the Catholic and the Anglican Churches in Paphos for the masses held by them. The church is also a very popular wedding venue.

On the same archaeological site is also the Saint Paul's Pillar. For more details about this, please see this page about Agia Kyriaki church, Chrysopolitissa Basilica, and Saint Paul's Pillar.