Not far from the harbour of Paphos is one of the most grandiose ancient structures not only of this city, but of the whole of Cyprus - the Royal Tombs. These tombs were carved into the rocks of the famous Fabrika Hill during the Ptolemaic era specifically for the burial of the aristocracy and the highest officials of the island. This necropolis was also used in Roman times. To be more precise, this necropolis began to be built in the 3rd century BC, and burials continued there until the 3rd century AD.
Although the tombs are called Royal Tombs, no king was actually buried there. Just the structure looks so majestic and opulent that it seems as if it was really created for the burial of royalty. Some tombs are more like small palaces with spacious columned halls. The walls of some of these "rooms" are decorated with paintings, frescoes and stone carvings. And some resemble living quarters with furniture and art objects. In general, the Royal Tombs are a vast system of corridors, "courtyards" and the tombs themselves, of which there are more than a hundred. At one time, the necropolis was even used by Christians as a refuge, where they hid from persecution.
Gradually, the tombs, which contained many valuables, were looted.
Excavations there began in the middle of the last century - increased interest in them flared up in the 70's. And they continue until now. During this period a lot of interesting things were found there, thanks to which it was possible to learn much more about the customs and rituals of the people who once lived on this land.
