The Paphos Historical Documentation Centre, set to open soon, is part of a broader effort to revitalize the city’s commercial centre, blending modern developments with the rich historical tapestry of Paphos. As the area transforms, it becomes an increasingly attractive location for both living and investment. For those interested in exploring property opportunities in this vibrant city, a comprehensive selection of properties for sale in Paphos can be found here. This resource offers valuable insights for prospective buyers looking to invest in the heart of a city that seamlessly merges history with modernity.
A €10 million project is currently transforming the heart of Paphos’s commercial centre with the creation of the Paphos Historical Documentation Centre, which is expected to open soon.
Located in a sensitive area, the project involves the restoration of the former Paphos Police Headquarters, a site with deep historical significance, as it once served as the province’s holding cells during British colonial rule. These historic buildings are being meticulously restored and repurposed.
The development includes the redevelopment of 18,000 square metres of outdoor space and the restoration of a 950-square-metre listed building. The project is expected to be completed in 15 months, guided by a detailed museological study prepared by a dedicated team of experts.
The design of the Paphos Historical Documentation Centre aims to connect the city’s urban landscape with its rich history. A carefully curated walking route will take visitors from the north, near the Armenian Genocide Memorial Park, through a green space, and onto the museum. The route includes above-ground and ground-level crossings, leading to an urban plaza with seating areas and amenities.
Visitors will then enter the modern museum space, where they can explore Paphos’s history from 332 BC onwards through both physical exhibits and digital displays. The museum’s exhibits will include original artefacts, replicas, and digital applications that highlight the city’s archaeological, historical, and folkloric heritage.
In an interview with Philenews, Professor Katerina Papazacharia of Neapolis University in Paphos discussed the history of the buildings that will house the Historical Documentation Centre. She explained that in May 1879, the British High Commissioner of Cyprus designated specific sites in each city as places of imprisonment, with the Konak Ktyme being selected for Paphos. The Police Station, later the Provincial Police Directorate, was completed in November 1884.
Historical records from 1884 reveal that 16 convicts were transferred from Limassol Prisons to serve their sentences at the newly established Paphos Police Station. These convicts, dressed in blue cotton uniforms, performed forced labour such as breaking rocks, removing waste, and tending gardens. The Police Station also had facilities for executing convicts by hanging, as well as stables, latrines, and vehicles.
During the national liberation struggle of EOKA, students and citizens involved in the movement were detained at the Paphos Police Station. After Cyprus gained independence in 1960, the building continued to serve as the Central Police Station of Paphos until 2019, when police operations were relocated to a new facility.
The project is being carried out by a team of eight Cypriot and Greek experts, who were selected through a competitive process to meet the high standards set by the Paphos Municipality. The team is led by Dr. Ioannis Iliadis, a specialist in museology, with other key members including Dr. Charalambos Chotzakoglou, Dr. Aikaterini Papazacharia, and several other experts.
Dr. Papazacharia noted that the team has submitted a comprehensive guide to the Paphos Municipality, detailing the exhibition layout, text content, and visual material for the Paphos Historical Documentation Centre. The project aims to ensure a captivating visitor experience that highlights Paphos’s archaeological, historical, and cultural wealth.
