Description of the attraction
The territory on which the ancient city of Idalion was once located is located in the current district of Nicosia, not far from the city of Dali.
The city, which existed about three thousand years ago, was one of the first Cypriot city-states, among nine other similar settlements mentioned in the annals of the Assyrian king Esarhaddon, where a democratic system existed. In addition, it even had its own art school.
What is especially valuable about the results of the excavations at the site of Idalion is that it gives a clear idea of the religion and beliefs of that time. The most revered deities in the city were Athena and Aphrodite. It was in honor of the latter that the city was named, since one of the names of Aphrodite in Latin sounds like "Idalia". According to one of the legends, it was at this place that Ares killed her beloved Adonis.
Excavations in this area began in the middle of the 19th century, when in 1868 the British traveler Leng stumbled upon the ruins of a temple, where inscriptions in Cypriot and Phoenician languages have been preserved. This temple was dedicated to Aphrodite, or, as they called in Cyprus, Vanaza - the goddess of Heaven. In addition, according to scientists, her "consort" Vanax, the Lord of the Animals, was also worshiped in the temple. In this sanctuary, which, judging by the fragments found, was decorated with painting and stucco, there were stone altars, ash pits and vertical stones personifying deities.
At the moment, excavations are still underway at the site of the ancient settlement. To date, many valuables have already been found there, which are stored in a museum located next to the ruins. For example, archaeologists managed to find terracotta figurines, fragments of dishes and lamps. Sculptures deserve special attention - since the limestone from which they were made is a rather soft material, the craftsmen managed to amazingly work out the details of figures and faces.
Unfortunately, many of the treasures found on the ruins of Idalion have been removed from the island.
