Paphos – European Capital of Culture 2017

The ancient odeon of Paphos, dating from the second century AD; the inscription 'Πάφος 2017 – Πολιτιστική πρωτεύουσα Ευρώπης' (Paphos 2017 – European Capital of Culture) and the state names 'ΚΥΠΡΟΣ' and 'KIBRIS'.

Paphos is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Mediterranean and holds a special place in Cyprus's history. The city on the island's southwest coast was, in antiquity, an important centre of the cult of Aphrodite — according to legend, the goddess rose from the sea not far from Paphos. Under Ptolemaic and later Roman rule, Paphos became the island's capital and left behind an exceptionally rich archaeological heritage: the Tombs of the Kings, early Christian basilicas and elaborate Roman-era mosaic floors make the city today a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ancient Odeon from the 2nd century AD, still used for performances today, symbolises this continuity between ancient heritage and living cultural practice.

The title of European Capital of Culture has been awarded annually since 1985 to make cultural diversity visible and strengthen local identities. For Paphos, the year 2017 — shared with Aarhus in Denmark — brought an intense phase of cultural investment and international attention. Under the motto "Linking Continents, Bridging Cultures", the city positioned itself as a crossing point between Europe, the Middle East and Africa, matching Cyprus's historical self-image as a meeting point of different civilisations. The Cypriot issue of 2017 honours this event and highlights Paphos as one of the island's culturally richest places.