Category: Discover Cyprus

Located at the start of the Foinikoudes promenade on Europe Square, the Municipal Historical Archives – Museum of Larnaka (Larnaca) are part of the Municipal Cultural Centre that is housed in the complex of 1881 British Colonial buildings. Following their restoration, the buildings earned the 1996 ‘Europa Nostra’ award.

The Museum of Larnaka is on the ground floor of the restored residence and offices of the first colonial Port Master of Larnaka, whilst the Municipal Historical Archives are situated on the second floor.

The exhibits of the museum are related to the history of Larnaka and include a large collection of coins from the city-kingdom of Kition (late 6th century), along with photographs of the city from 1850 onwards.

The Municipal Historical Archives, which consist of rare books, documents and articles, are accessible only to researchers.

Virtual video: https://virtuallarnakaregion.com/LarnakaHistoricArchivesMuseum/

Located within the grounds of the Municipal Gardens and its park, Larnaka’s (Larnaca’s) quaint Municipal Museum of Natural History displays a number of thematic collections, including local reptiles, insects, birds, animals, marine life, fossils and rock formations.

The marine life collection is comprised of international and local shells, corals, sponges and sea creatures, whilst a ‘traditional Cypriot yard’ includes the Cyprus donkey. Another notable collection is that of the island’s insects and endemic plants.

As part of the Larnaka Virtual Museums project, you can tour the museum virtually below or in full screen here, with enriched and bonus material from home, or whilst at the museum for a hybrid experience.

Larnaka’s (Larnaca’s) Medieval Museum is housed on the second floor of the Medieval Fort, located at the end of the palm-tree lined promenade of Foinikoudes.

The museum’s collection – across three rooms – covers 15 centuries of history, with exhibits and artefacts from the Early Christian period (4th-7th centuries), Byzantine wall-paintings of the 11th – 16th centuries, Medieval glazed pottery from the 12th-18th century, helmets and swords of the Venetian period (15th-16th century), and metal cooking utensils of the Ottoman period (18th-19th century).

The courtyard features a collection of Ottoman cannons and also accommodates a 600-seat open-air theatre that is used for functions in the summer.

The fort was originally built during the Middle Ages and took its present form during Ottoman rule. After the end of the Ottoman era in Cyprus, the British converted it into a prison and it was used during the first years of their rule.

Larnaka (Larnaca) District Archaeological Museum houses a large collection of archaeological finds from the whole district of Larnaka, including the ancient city-kingdom of Kition, and the main Neolithic settlements of Choirokitia and Tenta – Kalavasos.

Exhibits include artefacts from the Neolithic period, the Copper Era and the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Faience (tin-glazed pottery), ivory and alabaster pieces showcase Cyprus’ commercial and international ties with different countries during antiquity.

Aside from the large collection of local exhibits, the museum also displays some unique items of Egyptian, Mycenaean, Phoenician, Assyrian and Persian origin that were found in the region of Larnaka, but may have been imported from the other great civilizations of antiquity close to the island.

The museum is linked with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.

As part of the Larnaka Virtual Museums project, you can tour the museum virtually here, with enriched and bonus material from home, or whilst at the museum for a hybrid experience.

The Kallinikeio Municipal Museum of Athienou is housed in the Kallinikeio Municipal Hall and exhibits collections that showcase aspects of the history of the area from the Late Bronze Age (1600-1050 BC) until today.

The Museum consists of the Archaeological Collection, the Collection of Ecclesiastical Art and the Ethnographic Collection.

The Collection of Ecclesiastical Art includes priceless icons painted by the monk Kallinikos Stavrovouniotis and other icons from his personal collection. The monk was an excellent icon painter and a great benefactor to Athienou, and thus the museum is named in his honour. In the Icon Painting and Mosaic Workshop, icons and mosaics by the brothers George and Alkis Kepola are on display.

The Ethnographic Collection presents the daily life of the people of the 20th century through photographic material and other objects.

The museum also organises tours, periodic exhibitions, educational programmes, presentations and conferences.

As part of the Larnaka Virtual Museums project, you can tour the museum virtually below or in full screen here, with enriched and bonus material from home, or whilst at the museum for a hybrid experience.

The Folklore Museum in the village of Aradippou was founded in 2007 as a centre for preserving, researching and promoting Cypriot Folklore Tradition.

Housed in a 1901 mansion, the museum uses the basement and upper storey of the building for exhibits, whilst the small amphitheatre in the yard is used for cultural and artistic performances and exhibitions during the summer.

The museum basement consists of a Sun Room, Family Chamber, Weaving Hall,Domestic Appliances Hall, Farming and Animal Raising Hall, and Traditional Jobs Hall. From March – May, visitors can watch the seasonal process of breeding silkworms as they make their cocoons and then hatch as silk moths.

There are two rooms contained in the upper storey; a single room and the Hall of the Social and Cultural Traditions of Aradippou, where a re-enactment of the traditional wedding ritual ‘the dressing of the bride’ takes place.

The building of the museum originally belonged to the Kostas Xatzikakou family. It was later bought by the Pavlos Konstantinides family and then the Kaimakliotis family, who in turn donated it to Aradippou Municipality in memory of Kostas Kaimakliotis.

The Byzantine Museum at the church of Agios Lazaros is housed in some of the cells of the hypostyle porch that still stand to its south. The museum’s exhibits include important religious icons, artefacts and relics, including Byzantine icons, gospels, crosses and other ecclesiastical treasures from the whole district of Larnaka (Larnaca).

The church itself is located in its own, picturesque square in the centre of town. It is one of the most remarkable examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus and lies over the tomb of the saint, who came to Cyprus after being resurrected by Jesus. He was ordained as Bishop of Kition by the Apostles Barnabas and Paul and lived in the town for 30 years.

Saint Lazarus is so revered that a procession is held in his honour eight days before Easter. During the procession, the icon of the saint is carried through the streets of Larnaka.

As part of the Larnaka Virtual Museums project, you can tour the museum virtually below or in full screen here, with enriched and bonus material from home, or whilst at the museum for a hybrid experience.

Agios Lazaros Church and Ecclesiastical Museum – Audio Guide