The ancient city of Nea Pafos was founded in the 4th century BC and encircled by massive walls which enclosed an area of around 1sq km. Streets were laid out in a regular grid pattern and the city was the capital of Cyprus until the 4th century AD when it went into decline following a major earthquake. Sites are being excavated today and are still thought to contain many undiscovered treasures. The main sites are the mosaics (described elsewhere), the Agora and Odeon near the lighthouse, the Basilica of Hrysopolitissa, the Saranta Kolones fortress and the tower fort in Paphos harbour
The Odeion (theatre) is part of a three-site comlex beneath the Paphos lighthouse that also includes the Agora (market) and Asklipieion (healing centre). The Odeion's semicircular terrace was restored in 1970s and looks remarkably modern seeing as how it dates from the first century AD. All that's left of the Agora are the remains of a few marble columns and, of the Asklipieion, what looks like an altar stone and a pile of rubble
Near the Pafos Mosaics and overlooking the Kato Paphos car park is the remains of the medieval Saranta Kolnones fortress. The name means forty columns but the complex is now pretty well leveled. The huge fortress was believed to have once had eight huge towers, but all that's left after a massive earthquake in 1222 are a few arches.
The square, squat Paphos Fort was more a watchtower than fortress. According to an inscription over the door it was built by Ahmed Pasha in 1592 but it was probably constructed on the site of an earlier tower. Rocks in the bay are most likely the remains of a similar tower at the opposite entrance to the harbour. It has cellars, once used as prison, five lower floor rooms and steps leading up the three rooms that make up the tower. Well restored and much visited it commands fine views over the harbour and city beyond.
The Basilica of Chrysopolitissa was built in the 4th century AD with many later modifications before being detroyed in Arab raids in 653. It was a seven-aisled church once full of mosaics, now lost. Green marble colums lay scattered around. Amongst the ruins are a rock post where St Paul was tied and lashed for preaching Christianity before converting the Roman governor Sergius Paulius. The site is currently being excavated and parts are roped off, though there is still much to see.
Near the Basilica of Chrysopolitissa is the three-aisled church of Agia Kyriaki built in the 11th century. It is thought the entire church was once covered in paintings. It is currently used as an Anglican church