Pafos gate are the smallest of the three inputs to Nicosia, which were in a massive wall surrounding the city. The entrance is known as the "Upper gate" - they are located above Famagusta and Kyrenia gate, at a height of about 150 meters above sea level.

Originally the passage was called "Porto San Domenico", as it was located near to the famous medieval monastery of St. Dominica, which was destroyed when the Venetians fortified the city walls, built by the Lusignans. These protective structures called "Venetian wall" – they were built in 1567-1570. The chief architect of the project was Giulio Savorgnano.

However, despite such strong fortifications, the city was soon captured by the Turkish army. Inside the Paphos gate, the new owners have arranged their General headquarters. Later his headquarters organized there and the British. In addition, during the British rule in Cyprus next to this passage a part of the wall was destroyed to increase throughput. It is only through the Paphos gate could get on the road leading to the Western part of the island, and the movement of people became more and more active.

The gates are a common passage in the wall in the form of a long corridor and are not characterized by any particular architectural delights. To date, there is located a police station and barracks of the fire service, also inside is a functioning Church of the Holy cross.

Very close to the Paphos gate passes the so-called Green line – neutral territory, which serves as a border between the Turkish and Greek parts of Cyprus.