Cyprus Medieval Museum [Limassol (Lemesos) Castle]

The Cyprus Medieval Museum is housed in the Medieval Castle of Lemesos (Limassol) with exhibits that include Medieval pottery, tombstones, superb silver Byzantine era plates, weapons, crosses and coins.

The castle itself was built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine castle near the town’s old harbour. According to archaeological sources, the castle was much larger in its original form, with the Venetians making many modifications to it so that it could be used in the defences of the town, with its walls strengthened to ward off sea-pirates.

Legend has it that Richard the Lionheart – the King of England and leader of the 3rd Crusade – landed near Amathous on his way to the Holy Land and celebrated his marriage to Berengaria of Navarre in the castle’s chapel in 1191, crowning her Queen of England.

In 1570 the Ottomans conquered the castle and used it as a garrison and jail. During British Rule it functioned as a police station, and briefly as a place of detainment.

Region: Lemesos
Address: Richardou & Berengarias, near the Old Port
Contact No: Tel: +357 25 305 419
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10.00-17.00
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
Operating Period: All year round
Closed on Public Holidays
Entrance Fee: €4,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

National Struggle Museum

Located in the square near the Archbishopric, the museum houses documents, photographs and other memorabilia from the 1955-1959 National Liberation Struggle against British Rule, and was founded after it ended, with new premises later opened in 2001.

Region: Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Address: Plateia Archiepiskopou Kyprianou
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 305 878, Fax: +357 22 305 882
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 14:30
Closed on weekends.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays (except April 01).
Summer months (July / August) closed in the afternoons.
Entrance Fee: Free
Website: www.moec.gov.cy/politistikes_ypiresies
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

The Nicosia (Lefkosia) Municipal Arts Centre (NiMAC)

The Nicosia (Lefkosia) Municipal Arts Centre (NiMAC) is housed in the building of the Old Powerhouse (power station), which is in itself a fine example of industrial architecture, and was recognised with the ‘Europa Nostra’ award in 1994 following its restoration.

The aim of the centre is the promotion of the fine arts in Cyprus, and it is the oldest and largest centre of its kind on the island. The centre incorporates a large exhibition area where it houses rare and specialist publications for art lovers, whilst it has also presented a large number of exhibitions of modern and contemporary art with the participation of well-known artists from Cyprus and abroad. Many of these were organized in collaboration with museums, art centres and cultural institutions of European and other countries.

The centre is associated with the Pierides Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens.

Region: Lefkosia
Address: Palias Ilektrikis, 19
GPS coordinates: Lat: 35.173968 Lon: 33.366639
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 797 400, Fax: +357 22 432 531
Operating Hours: NiMAC: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 21:00, Closed on Sunday and Monday.
Offices: Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 15:00, Closed on weekends.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays and the whole of August.
Entrance Fee: Free
Website: www.nimac.org.cy
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

A. G. Leventis Gallery

The A. G. Leventis Gallery represents the fulfillment of a vision. It is the embodiment of Anastasios G. Leventis’ wish to create, in his homeland, a public gallery in which the extensive art collection acquired during his lifetime can be enjoyed by his fellow countrymen, women and children.

Conceived in its essence over fifty years ago, this vision is realized today by the A. G. Leventis Foundation which is proud to present, for the first time under one roof, highlights of over 400 years of European art and history: from paintings, watercolours, prints and drawings to objets d’ art and period furniture.

The original collection comprises three units: the Paris Collection, representing significant European artists from the 17th to the 20th century; the Greek Collection, with artists from the 19th and 20th centuries; and the Cyprus Collection, with the first generation of Cypriot artists, born between 1884 and 1930.

Region: Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Address: A. G. Leventis 5 (ex Leonidou), 1097 Nicosia
GPS coordinates: Lat: 35.169332 Lon: 33.35851
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 668 838
Operating Hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 – 22:00
Closed on Tuesday.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free
Website: www.leventisgallery.org
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

The Pancyprian Gymnasium Museums

The Pancyprian Gymnasium Museums is a fascinating 12-room space in the historical centre of Lefkosia (Nicosia), depicting the history of the oldest establishment of Secondary Education in Cyprus (Founded in 1812), as well as many other aspects of Cypriot history and culture.

The Museums consist of a Museum of the History of the School, the Archaeological and the Numismatic Collection, collections of old maps and old weaponry, an Art Gallery (that exhibits the work of great painters who served as teachers and students of the school), a Natural History Collection and other varied exhibits. The collection is completed with a unique and impressive sample of gothic sculpture from Cyprus.

Region: Lefkosia
Address: Agiou Ioannou and Theseos, 10-16 (next to the Pancyprian Gymnasium)
GPS coordinates: Lat: 35.17419 Lon: 33.36879
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 466 014, Fax: +357 22 466 021
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 15:30
Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00
Closed on Sunday.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free
Website: www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/museums/pancyprian-gymnasium/
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia

The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, inaugurated in April 1989, is housed in a complex of three historic buildings, which have been restored, modified and refurbished in order to meet today’s museological standards and to provide a visitor-friendly space, where people can enjoy its Collections.
 
The Museum was created to present the history of Nicosia, the last divided capital of Europe. It narrates the history of the city from prehistoric times to the present day through its exceptional, rich Collections. More than 10,000 objects, including maps, documents, paintings, engravings and costumes, recount the story of Nicosia. The three floors of the Museum house the permanent exhibition galleries, in chronological order from Ancient Nicosia to the Byzantine and medieval Frankish and Venetian periods, the Ottoman period and the British period, concluding with the Republic of Cyprus and Nicosia today.

The Museum also hosts two private collections of Cypriot and medieval antiquities: the Leto and Costakis Severis Collection and the Chris Phylactou Collection. In addition, the archives of the Museum include extensive photographic material, related mainly to the city of Nicosia and its inhabitants.
 
In 1991, just two years after it opened its doors, the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia was awarded the European Museum of the Year Award. It is now recognised as one of the leading history museums of Europe and beyond.
 
In the multidimensional spaces of the Museum, the history of the capital of Cyprus meets the needs of today’s visitors, inviting them to interact with the city’s past. The Museum organises a series of activities and events to attract people from all age groups and backgrounds. Temporary exhibitions, guided tours, lectures, talks, evening events and educational activities are all designed in a way that links them to the Museum’s Collections and the history and social development of Nicosia.
 
 

Region: Lefkosia
Address: 15-17 Ippokratous, Laiki Geitonia, 1011 Nicosia
GPS coordinates: Lat: 35.1706 Lon: 33.36147
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 661 475 / Fax: +357 22 662 285
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-16:30
Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Operating Period: All year round.
Entrance Fee: Free
Disabled Access: Offers facilities for the disabled.
Website: www.leventismuseum.org.cy
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

 

Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum

The Classic Motorcycle Museum was created by motorcycle collector Andreas Nicolaou, and is the culmination of a 20-year labour of love. Today, the collection comprises more than 150 pieces, with motorcycles dated between 1914 – 1983, including AJS, MV Agusta, Matchless, Norton, BSA, Triumph, Ariel, BMW, James, Moto Guzzi, Royal Enfield and many more.

The museum also houses three police bikes that formed part of Archbishop Makarios III’s police escort, a motorcycle belonging to EOKA fighter Stylianos Lenas, and one belonging to the island’s first motorcycle champion – Turkish Cypriot Zeki Isa – along with a photography exhibition.

Region: Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Address: Granikou 44
GPS coordinates: Lat: 35.17284 Lon: 33.35835
Contact No: Tel: +357 99 543 215 / +357 22 680 222, Fax: +357 22 680 222
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 17:30 
Saturday: 10:00 – 13:00
Closed on Sunday
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Adults : €5
Students : €4
Children : 12 and under – Free
Website: https://cyclassicmotormuseum.wixsite.com/cyclassicmotormuseum
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

 

 

 

State Gallery of Contemporary Art

The State Gallery of Contemporary Art is housed in a beautiful restored building with collections that consist of paintings and sculptures by 20th century Cypriot artists.

Region: Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Address: Corner of Stasinou Avenue & Kritis
GPS coordinates: Lat: 35.167994 Lon: 33.365733
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 458 228, Fax: +357 22 304 976
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 16:45
Saturday: 10:00 – 12:45
Closed on Sunday.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays and for the whole of August.
Entrance Fee: Free
Website: http://www.moec.gov.cy/en/cultural_services.html
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

Early (Proto) – Industrial Museum – Agia Varvara village

The early industrial workshop of Agia Varvara combines a traditional house with the place of work to form an interesting museum that showcases daily life on the island in years past.

The workshop uses the primitive equipment of the 1920s; flour mill, crushed wheat mill, barley mill and oil mill, which all worked with a single engine that distributed motion to the machines according to the owner’s needs through a combination of transmission shafts, wheels and belts. A wine press and loom were also used by the owner’s wife.

Region: Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Address: Agia Varvara village, 22km south of Lefkosia
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 521 715 / +357 99 888 070,  Fax +357 22 441 150
Operating Hours: Wednesday and Saturday: 08:00 – 13:00
Saturday: 15:00 – 18:00
Closed on Sunday.
Other visiting times can be arranged by prior appointment by contacting mobile number.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

 

 

 

Museum on the History of Cypriot Coinage

The Museum on the History of Cypriot Coinage was founded in 1995 and traces the development of the island’s coinage from the first coins minted during the 6th century BC to modern times.

A collection of over 500 coins charts 2.600 years of turbulent Cypriot history and is divided into nine time periods (23 showcases), that offer an important source of information on Cyprus’ numismatic history.

The presentation begins with coinage from the Cyprus City Kingdoms (6th – 4th centuries BC) and ends with the Republic of Cyprus (1960). Included in the initial collection is a bronze coin from the Roman period that bears the legend ‘ΚΟΙΝΟ(Ν) ΚΥΠΡΙΩΝ’ (League of the Cypriots) and was a symbol of unity among the peoples of the island. There is also a touch screen presentation of the island’s historical journey of coins throughout different times.

The museum is linked to the Aphrodite Cultural Route.

Region: Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Address: Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, Faneromenis, 86-88-90
GPS coordinates: Lat: 35.155499 Lon: 33.370371
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 128 157, Fax: + 357 22 662 898
Operating Hours: Daily: 10:00 – 19:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free
Disabled Access: Offers facilities for the disabled.
Website: www.boccf.org
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.