Aphrodite’s Beauty

“FONTANA AMOROSA”

It was the Italian poet Arioste who named “Fontana Amorosa” the natural spring on the Akamas Peninsula from which Aphrodite used to drink. Take a sip from it and even today love may materialize. A riot of green in the spring, the fountain is accessible via a beautiful hiking path on the Akamas.

ORLANDO FURIOSO
(“ORLANDO ENRAGED”)

CXXXIX
A fruitful rill, by limpid fountain fed,
Waters, all round about, the fertile space.
The land of Venus truly may be said
That passing joyous and delightful place:
For every maid and wife, who there is bred,
Is through the world beside, unmatched in grace:
And Venus wills, till their last hour be tolled,
That Love should warm their bosoms, young and old.
~ Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533)¹