“Petra tou Romiou” is probably the most famous rock in the world. No other was photographed as this one. No other receives as many thousands of visitors from all the parts of the Earth, and this is not in vain.
Two myths are connected to the rock. Two stories that take you back into time, into times were Hellenism was thriving all over the world.
Back then when Greece “gave birth” to Gods, who had all the human powers, desires and cravings. It is back then that the son of Uranus (Ouranos), Saturn (Kronos), declared war against his father and killed him to get onto the throne. He beat him. In order for Uranus to not be able to resurrect and get revenge, Saturn dismembered him and scattered his parts on all four points of the earth.
His genetic organs were thrown on the shores of Cyprus. The Cypriot Aphrodite, goddess of Love and beauty emerged from that point, spreading the potions of love and the sources of beauty into the sea of Paphos. It is believed that any girl that bathes in those water becomes more beautiful and that soon love conquers her.
This is the main reason why thousands of girls from all over the planet visit the sea at the Petra tou Romiou area. It does not matter whether it is in the winter or the summer. You will still see people diving into these waters.
The Cypriot Aphrodite was worshipped more than any other god on the island. From end to end of the island, you will find references to temples, dedicated to the Goddess.
The Goddess chose Cyprus to have her Baths, as well as her secret place. This is where she met with Adonis when he ascended from Hades to spend his time with her. A beautiful place in Akamas, far away from the eyes of the Gods and people, she bathed in the cold waters of the natural springs and then gave in to the pleasures of Love.
Another myth talks about a powerful Byzantine hero. His name was Digenis Akritas. The hero, after he defeated in the battle of the Saracens, he followed them from the depth of Asia to exterminated them. They hid on the southern beaches of Cyprus. Then Digenis detached huge rocks from the Pentadaktylos mountain and threw them at the Saracens, thus sinking their ships.
The myth of the emerged Aphrodite indicates the way of “birth” of cyprus, which still emerges today from the Mediterranean waters.
The myth of digenis “answers” to the question about the presents of the rock on the southern coastline of Cyprus. The geological composition of the rock is unique in the whole southern sea. Geologically the rock has the same composition as the one of Pentadaktylos and with the mount “Tauros” of southern Turkey.
Of course none of this is true. The rock is a part of three mountain chains that emerge from the sea area between Cyprus and Egypt. They have the same geological composition and the first peak of the mountains that emerged is the “Petra tou Romiou”.
It is true that from the first moment you will find yourselves at Petra tou Romiou, a trance comes upon you. You think differently and you act differently. No matter how much you resist, the supernatural beauty of the landscape in combination with the obvious mystical love atmosphere that dominates the place, takes you away and the only thing you wish is to get into the water. Into the same water where thousands of years ago the Goddess of Love took her first bath.
If you are a visitor of Cyprus, take a visit to the place of birth of the most beautiful Goddess. Who knows? Where there is smoke, there is fire.
