Adonis Baths and Waterfall

About this place

Adonis Baths located in Kili Paphos, is one of the most beautiful and unique areas in Cyprus. Tradition says that Adonis the God of Beauty tended his horses in this place and hunted in the Akamas forest.

According to Greek mythology Adonis and Aphrodite had many children here and the citizen of Paphos are supposed to be descendant of these two lovers. However, Artemis the Goddess of Hunting was jealous of the love between Adonis and Aphrodite and tried to find a way of killing Adonis. She threw a golden almond into the baths to try and get his attention. Poseidon the God of Sea saw what was about to happen so he covered the golden almond with a torrent to prevent Adonis from drowning. Artemis had another plan, she asked Mars the God of War to push the mountain onto Adonis at the baths.

Poseidon stopped the rocks moving towards the back of the river and Adonis was saved again. Adonis was not so lucky whilst hunting one day. A man distinguished as wild boar fatally wounded him. He returned to the baths but died in the arms of Aphrodite. Aphrodite could not bear to lose her beloved Adonis and begged for him to send back to earth every six months, each Autumn it is believed. Popular tradition connects Adonis Baths with the legendary visit of Digenis Akritas. The story says that he put one foot on each side of the River Mavrokolymbos and drank water from the baths. Until this day there is a place called Digenis feet.