Paphos has long been a popular destination both for tourists and locals but many of us don’t stray far from the bustling harbour area. If you haven’t been into the old town for a while, you may be surprised at what you find.
The town is of course well known for its cutural treasures, Kato Paphos with its wealth of archaeological sites is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and Paphos was also European City of Culture back in 2017. Various projects in recent years, with support from the European Regional Development Fund have transformed the previously neglected district in the old town and given a cultural boost to its residents.
Ibrahim’s Khan (c) Paphos Municipality
Ibrahim’s Khan (c) Paphos Municipality
The emphasis has been on the restoration and repurposing of existing sites to provide cultural venues and entertainment spaces.Originally built in the mid-19th century, Ibrahim’s Khan or Hani tou Ibrahim was an inn and meeting point for traders and merchants, it was in continuous use until the the middle of the 20th century and in the 1950’s was converted into workshops. Abandoned in the 1960s during the inter-communal conflict, it and the area around it fell into disrepair. Happily it was reopened in 2019 as a multi-purpose space, there are event venues, workshops and small outlets, accommodation and exhibitions including the Municipal Art Gallery and there is also an area for outdoor performances.
The refurbished power house “Palia Ilektriki” has also been reinvented by the Municipality and now houses a multicultural centre which hosts events, conferences and performances. The site retains some of the former machinery and is also home to a popular eatery
Palia Ilektriki (c) Paphos Municipality
Palia Ilektriki (c) Paphos Municipality
Older residents may remember the Attikon cinema back in its hey day, it served as a cinema under various guises from the 1940s until the new millenium. In 2015 the municipality launched an ambitious project to restore and update the building and its surroundings. Today the indoor area offers multi-functional space for exhibitions and conferences but it still stays true to its roots with a fabulous outdoor cinema space as well.
Attikon cinema (c) Paphos Municipality
Attikon cinema (c) Paphos Muncipality
It’s great to see new live being breathed into our old buildings and districts, a total of 7 projects including the updating of the Mouttalou quarter and renovation of the Markideio Theatre have been completed in Paphos under the auspices of the European Regional Development Fund transforming a somewhat forgotten area of the town. It is also very positive to have these fresh new spaces for conferences, meetings, product launches and cultural performances. So next time your’e in Paphos, head downtown, check it out, see what you think.
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