The House of Eustolios in Curium

The House of Eustolios is one of the most important archaeological monuments of Limassol. Preserved until today it is located in the ancient Curium in the area of Episkopi, highlighting the past and the life of the city during the antiquity. Besides, the ancient city of Curium was one of the most glorious cities-kingdoms of antiquity, which together with the city of Amathus consisted Limassol. Find out more about the ancient city of Curium here.

The House is located at the archaeological site of Curium with a prominent position on the southeastern edge of the hill, consisting of an imposing structure with impressive mosaics and many rooms. Although the identity of the owner of the House, Eustolios, remains unknown, the offer he did to the citizens of the Curium is testified. According to the inscriptions in the area, Eustolios wanted to help in the recovery of the city after the big earthquake that occurred in 365 AD. In that way he decided to build a big house and give it to the Curium’s citizens.

Over the years the House became a public common area and transformed into a large building complex with baths, cookhouses, dormitories and other rooms of different use. Consequently, the House took the form of a public leisure space and was offered as a great shelter to the inhabitants of the city, while Eustolios became the protector of Curium, like Apollo, who was the previous protector of the city.

Particularly interesting are the mosaic compositions of the Christian symbols in the House, such as the fish, the goose, the partridge and others. These symbols give a Paleochristian identity to the House, confirming the full prevalence of Christianity in the city of Curium after the great catastrophic earthquake at the end of the 4th century. Find out more about the earthquake and the destruction of the city of Curium here.

Source of information: "Limassol, Journey to the Times of a City", (2006), Department of Antiquities