Page 12 - Annual Magazine 2017

RESORT | THROWBACK
Once upon a time...
… at the hill of myths and history
A mythological dispute between Persephone and Aphrodite over
Adonis’s love was settled by Zeus: Handsome and beautiful Adonis
was to spend one-third of every year with each goddess
and the last third wherever he chose. He chose to spend
two-thirds of the year with Cypriot Goddess Aphrodite,
hunting together in “Rantidi Forest”… the area where
Aphrodite Hills Resort is now located.
Story by Elena Constantinou
12
Aphrodite Hills Resort
‘LINGRIN
TOU DHIGENI’
This sanctuary boasted
an important cult of the
male deity of prophecy,
of the goddess Aphrodite
who was also the consort
W
When CEO George Misirlis and Project Manager Zenon Papaloizou
talk about the resort, they make sure they refer to it by the name
“Adonis & Aphrodite’s place” while they never forget to show their
deep respect and admiration on the archaeological and historical
value of the Resort’s hill.
THE SACRED FOREST, ON THE WAY TO PAFOS
At the highest point of Aphrodite Hills Resort overlooking the scenic
ravine and the Mediterranean Sea, the remains of Hani are standing
still wanting to remind the uniqueness of the area. Built around
1875, it was formerly an inn and a staging post for cart drivers and
their animals on the trail – later a carriage road across the Rantidi
Forest – from Limassol to Paphos. The results of the Rantidi Forest excavations indicate that the
medieval activity in ancient Pafos, attested by the castle keep
Furthermore and going way back through the ancient years, Rantidi which is now the museum of Kouklia, and the adjacent sugar
Forest excavations, which lasted a decade, have located several mill, extended to the south and east into the Rantidi Forest.
major sites. The primary site under investigation was the sanctuary This medieval presence at “Lakkos tou Frangou” may have been
complex located on the hilltop of “Lingrin tou Dhigeni”. This defensive in nature, guarding the only route existed at that time
sanctuary boasted an important cult of the male deity of prophecy, which accessed the Pafos region.
who was also the consort of the goddess Aphrodite. Thousands of
life-sized and over life-size terracotta statue fragments have been
recovered here, as well as more than 200 inscriptions in the writing
system unique to Cyprus, the so-called syllabary. The construction of the
A large sacred forest extended from the temple boundaries to the Hani Villa (...) is typical
coast. The sanctuary both contains and is surrounded by numerous
tombs. This finding supports the death and resurrection associated 19th century Cypriot
with the ancient consort of Aphrodite & Adonis.
PITHARI - ANCIENT FOOD STORAGE ITEM village style using local
Extensive medieval remains were located at the eastern area of the
Rantidi Forest known as “Lakkos tou Frangou”. Scatters of dressed stone and timber.
building stone and at least one partially standing wall were recorded.
Info: Department of Antiquities period, associated with numbers of large pithoi fragments (Pithari), A GLANCE TO YESTERDAY
These areas have produced large numbers of sgraffito ware, the very
fine, highly decorated glazed pottery which characterizes this time
indicating the storage of necessary food items. These findings
The construction of the Hani Villa, whilst respecting the history of
correlate well with the medieval remains at the western end of the
the hill, is typical 19th century Cypriot village style, using local
Rantidi Forest, where a small medieval settlement existed.
stone and timber and all 10 rooms of the existing building currently
retain their own fireplace and stable that is so typical of an inn of
This special area lies beneath Aphrodite Hills Hotel and Golf area.
a previous period. Outside the inn, a large stone cistern collected
Now it’s clear where the energy of beauty, coziness and tranquility
preserved as a testimony to a traditional way of life.
comes from, despite the luxurious aura of the Resort. rainwater and close by the stone threshing floor has been carefully 13
Aphrodite Hills Resort