Lempa near Paphos: an ancient settlement, pottery and a village of artists

Lempa is only a few kilometres from Paphos, but this small village brings together some unexpectedly different eras. A settlement more than five thousand years old was excavated here, and the famous Lady of Lemba was discovered; glazed pottery workshops operated here in the Middle Ages, while the Stass Paraskos art school and the unusual Great Wall of Lempa appeared in the 20th century. In 2026, the story continued: an organisation was officially appointed to manage the new Cultural Village of Lempa, which is intended to develop workshops, residencies and cultural programmes here.

• What makes Lempa interesting
• The prehistoric settlement of Lempa
• Lady of Lemba
• Medieval pottery of Lempa
• Great Wall of Lempa
• Stass Paraskos and the village’s artistic history
• Cultural Village of Lempa
• The valley and natural springs
• The coast of Lempa
• How to plan a walk around Lempa
• Frequently asked questions

What makes Lempa interesting

Lempa, or Lemba, is located about 4 km north of Paphos. At first glance, it is an ordinary small village on a rise above the coast, but its history began long before modern Paphos came into being.

People were drawn here primarily by its favourable location between two valleys and the presence of natural springs. Water made it possible to live here in ancient times and practise agriculture, and much later it helped crafts to flourish.

That is why Lempa is best viewed not as a village with a single attraction, but as a short route through several eras: Chalcolithic settlement → medieval pottery → 20th-century art → modern cultural village.

The prehistoric settlement of Lempa

The village’s historically most significant site is Lempa Prehistoric Settlement, or Lempa-Lakkous. Archaeological excavations uncovered an important Chalcolithic settlement here, which existed approximately between 3900 and 2500 BC.

In other words, people lived here more than five thousand years ago.

The settlement consisted of round houses. They were built from locally available natural materials, and the inhabitants practised agriculture, animal husbandry and crafts.

Today, visitors to the archaeological site can see five reconstructed Chalcolithic houses. They were built using materials and construction methods as close as possible to those that may have been used by the ancient inhabitants of Lempa.

This makes the site particularly interesting: instead of seeing only foundations, visitors can imagine the interior space of a real prehistoric house.
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Lady of Lemba

The village’s best-known archaeological find is called Lady of Lemba — the “Lady of Lemba”.

The figurine was discovered here in 1976. It is made of limestone, stands about 32 cm tall and dates to approximately the 3rd millennium BC.

Lady of Lemba is among the most characteristic works of Cypriot Chalcolithic art. The female figure, with its pronounced forms, is usually viewed in the context of ancient islanders’ beliefs about fertility and birth.

The original figurine is kept at the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia. In Lempa itself, it is interesting to see the place where it was found and the surrounding archaeological context.

Medieval pottery of Lempa

Several thousand years later, Lempa became known once again, this time for its craftwork. In the Middle Ages, the village became an important centre for the production of glazed pottery.

According to the community, in the 13th–14th centuries Lempa was one of the first major centres in Cyprus producing and exporting this type of pottery. Other centres on the island continued the tradition later.

Archaeologists have found numerous artefacts and traces of pottery production, and pieces from Lempa’s workshops are now displayed in museum collections.

The craft was also supported by local natural conditions, including the constant water sources in the valleys surrounding the village.

This makes modern Lempa’s connection with art especially intriguing: long before the art school appeared, the village already had its own craft-production culture.

Great Wall of Lempa

The village’s most unusual modern attraction is the Great Wall of Lempa, also known as the Artistic Wall of Lempa.

This is not a historic fortress wall. It is a large collaborative artwork and sculpture garden that grew up around the art school founded by Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos.

The wall was created gradually by Paraskos himself and by artists who came to Lempa. It combines cement, stone, ceramics, mosaics, found objects and sculptural elements. Faces, hands, animals and fantastical characters emerge unexpectedly from the mass of materials.

That is why the Great Wall is not just an ordinary monument to photograph from a single spot. It is more interesting to walk along it and look for individual details.
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Stass Paraskos and the village’s artistic history

Lempa’s modern artistic history is connected with Stass Paraskos, one of the notable Cypriot artists of the 20th century.

In 1969, he founded an art school later known as the Cyprus College of Art. After the events of 1974, the school eventually settled in the Paphos area, and Lempa became its main creative space.

Artists and students from different countries came here, worked in the studios and left their own works behind. It was in this environment that the sculpture garden and the Great Wall of Lempa took shape.

Stass Paraskos died in 2014, but the artistic community he created played an important role in the village’s subsequent development.

Cultural Village of Lempa

In 2008, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus decided to develop Lempa as a cultural village. One of the reasons behind the decision was the artistic community already established here by Stass Paraskos.

The project was considerably more ambitious than a simple renovation of old studios. The state created a new complex of about 1,861 m², with spaces for creative work and artist accommodation.

The complex is divided into two parts. The “Creative Village” includes two large painting studios, two ceramics workshops, five artists’ studios, a library, and administrative and ancillary premises.

The second part is for accommodation: it provides 35 places — 16 double and three single rooms, as well as dining facilities.

Construction was effectively completed in 2024, and the project’s final acceptance took place in January 2025.

The most important update came in 2026. On 9 July 2026, the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus signed an agreement for the management and operation of the Cultural Village of Lempa with Technourgeio Ltd, the organisation that won the relevant tender.

Lempa is therefore entering a new phase in its artistic history: rather than the previous model of a single private art college, a modern cultural venue with workshops, educational programmes and artist residencies is taking shape.

If your aim is to go inside the workshops or attend a specific cultural event, it is best to check the current programme before visiting. The Great Wall, meanwhile, is worth seeing as an independent part of the village’s artistic heritage.
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The valley and natural springs

After exploring the archaeology and art, it is worth taking a look at Lempa’s landscape itself. The village lies between green valleys, where natural springs can be found.

The community is developing a large park along the Taissi stream and walking areas. Thanks to the water, this area looks noticeably greener than many parts of the Paphos coast.

In a sense, the springs link together the whole history of Lempa: they helped an ancient settlement emerge here, later supported the development of crafts and still shape the character of the local landscape.
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The coast of Lempa

The community’s territory stretches down to the sea. Here you will find the small Kotzia Beach, which is being developed by the local council.

This is not one of Paphos’s large, organised resort beaches, but rather an extra stop for those already exploring the area. In previous seasons, there was a small snack bar here and lifeguards were on duty.

Conditions at small beaches can change from season to season, so it is not worth making a special trip here just for the beach facilities.
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How to plan a walk around Lempa

I would suggest starting at the Great Wall of Lempa. It is the village’s most unusual visual landmark and a good way to get acquainted with its modern artistic history.

After that, head to the main historic site — the Lempa Prehistoric Settlement. The reconstructed round houses offer a glimpse of a very different Lempa, which existed here more than five thousand years ago.

Next, you can walk through the village itself and see the area around the modern Cultural Village of Lempa, which is set to continue the artistic tradition in a new format.

If you would like to stay longer, you can extend the route with a walk to the green valley and natural springs.

Allow about 2–3 hours for the main sites. Lempa is especially convenient because it is very close to Paphos and does not require a separate full-day trip.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Lempa?

Lempa is located about 4 km north of Paphos. Both Lempa and Lemba are used as spellings in navigation apps.

What are the main things to see in Lempa?

The most historically significant site is the Chalcolithic Lempa Prehistoric Settlement. Among the modern attractions, the Great Wall of Lempa, connected with the Stass Paraskos art school, is particularly interesting.

What is the Great Wall of Lempa?

It is a large collaborative artwork and sculpture garden created by Stass Paraskos and other artists. The wall has no connection with defensive fortifications.

Is the Cyprus College of Art still operating?

The former Cyprus College of Art played a key role in Lempa’s artistic history, but today the area’s cultural infrastructure is being developed as part of the new Cultural Village of Lempa. Therefore, you should not plan your trip as a visit to a regular, currently operating college.

What is happening with the Cultural Village of Lempa now?

The new state complex has been built and accepted. In July 2026, an agreement was signed with the management organisation Technourgeio Ltd. The project provides for art and ceramics workshops, studios, a library, educational programmes and accommodation for artists.

When did the ancient settlement of Lempa exist?

The archaeological site dates to the Chalcolithic period, approximately between 3900 and 2500 BC.

What is Lady of Lemba?

It is a famous limestone female figurine from the Chalcolithic period, about 32 cm tall, discovered in Lempa in 1976. The original is kept at the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.

Why is Lempa associated with pottery?

Pottery was made here as early as prehistoric times, and in the 13th–14th centuries Lempa became an important centre for the production and export of glazed pottery in Cyprus. Pottery workshops are also planned for the modern Cultural Village.

How much time should I allow for a visit?

Allow about 2–3 hours for the Great Wall, the archaeological site and a walk around the village. If an exhibition, workshop or other event is taking place at the Cultural Village, your visit may take longer.