DESCRIPTION:

Tomb 5 is one of the largest and most monumental surviving tombs of the north necropolis of Pafos. It is a burial complex with an atrium surrounded by four porticoes. A monumental stepped dromos (staircase) leads down into a vaulted entrance and the atrium. On the north wall of the dromos, there is a funerary column (cippus) indicating the location of a horizontal niche. Twelve large pillars support the porticoes that surround the atrium. Each side of the atrium including the porticoes is nearly fifteen meters long. Opposite the entrance is a large chamber, while loculi are located on the other three sides of the atrium. In contrast to the remaining atrium-type tombs, the well of the complex is situated in the middle of the atrium.

The west portico collapsed sometime before the Middle Ages. During this period, the tomb was used as a pottery workshop, as evidenced by a ceramic kiln built in the southwestern corner. The spaces between the pillars were enclosed to create living space. After the excavations, the burial complex was restored to its original form, with the Medieval additions removed, except for the kiln.