The Nabatean Touch on the Temple of Apollo Hylates

One of my favourite places to visit in Cyprus is tucked away in the ancient city of Kourion, the Temple of Apollo Hylates. This site isn’t just a piece of Greek history—it’s a striking example of cultural fusion.

At first glance, it looks like a classic Greco-Roman sanctuary. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find traces of another influence: the Nabateans, an ancient Arab people best known for building the stunning rock-cut city of Petra in modern-day Jordan.

Who were the Nabateans?

The Nabateans were traders, builders, and masters of blending styles. Their architecture—especially their temples and tombs—borrowed from a wide range of traditions: Mesopotamian, Phoenician, Hellenistic, and South Arabian. But they didn’t just copy—they made it their own, adding a distinctive Arab flair.

A Sanctuary Reimagined

Apollo Hylates was the god of woodlands and protector of Kourion. His sanctuary evolved over centuries, from a small temple in the 8th century BC to a sprawling religious complex by the Roman period.

By the 1st century AD, the site included a temple, a holy precinct, halls for pilgrims, a gymnasium (palaestra), and even a bath complex.

That same period—when the sanctuary was undergoing expansion—coincided with the height of Nabatean prosperity. It’s no coincidence that some of the architectural features at Kourion reflect their influence.

The Nabatean Influence

The layout of the sanctuary—with spaces for gathering, processions, and community rituals—is similar to other Nabatean religious sites. Temples in Petra also had areas for public worship, votive offerings, and rest for travelers.

You can also see stylistic overlaps. While the Apollo temple uses Greek columns and symmetry, it also shows signs of local adaptation—something the Nabateans were known for. Their approach to design was flexible, mixing and matching classical motifs with local materials and techniques.

The Big Picture

The Temple of Apollo Hylates is more than a snapshot of ancient Greek religion. It’s a reminder that the ancient world was deeply connected. As traders, artists, and builders moved across the Mediterranean and Arabian worlds, they left their marks—in stone, style, and spirit.

In the case of Apollo Hylates, it means that a walk through a Cypriot ruin might also be a step into a Nabatean story.

I think that’s why I like visiting the old place every year – it’s not just a ruined temple, it’s a symbol of our shared past.