Meet Nicosia. Meet Culture
How much do you actually know about the island of Cyprus and its capital? Prepare to be amazed; Travel back in time, through visiting more than 50 museums, galleries, and archaeological sites in Nicosia -the essence of Art, History, and Culture of Cyprus! Meet Nicosia. Meet Culture.
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Museum of the George and Nefeli Giabra Pierides Collection /est. 2012
It features one of the most important private collections of Cypriot antiquities, spanning a period between the Early Copper Age (2500 BC) and the Middle Ages (1600 AD). Visitors’ experience is enhanced by the SPYRA Digital Archaeological Explorer, which offers a user-friendly interactive means of examining artifacts.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Sun 10:00-19:00
Tel: +357 22128157 / Admission Free // INSIDE THE WALLS
Byzantine Museum and Art Galleries of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation /est.1978
The Museum of Byzantine Art is home to some rare icons from 5th - 19th century, the European Art Gallery, with oil paintings from the school of Rubens, Delacroix Lorain and others (16th - 19th century) and the Greek Independence War Art Gallery, with paintings from the Greek Revolution of 1821 and Greek mythology.
Opening Hours:
Byzantine Museum: Mon-Fri 09.00-16.30 / Sat 09:00-13:00
Galleries: Mon-Fri 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:30
Tel: +357 22430008 / Admission €4.00 - Reduced: €2.00 // INSIDE THE WALLS
Fairy Tale Museum / est. 2016
The museum aims to preserve and promote the folk tale heritage of Cyprus and Greece, to foster a love of reading and to explore the literary aspect of fairy tales through the use of interactive games and exhibits.
Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat 09:00-17:00 / Permanent and temporary exhibitions
Tel: +357 22376522 / 22376527 / Admission €5,00 // INSIDE THE WALLS
Info: infosic.com.cy
The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia / est.1984
The historical museum of Nicosia traces the history of the city from prehistoric times to the present day through its unique and rich collections. They represent over 6.000 years of capital's history and include pottery, textiles, engravings, maps, paintings, photographs, jewelry and many other artefacts.
Operating Hours:
Tue-Sun 10:00 - 16:30 / Closed on Mondays and public holidays
Tel: +357 22661475 / Admission Free // INSIDE THE WALLS
The Pancyprian Gymnasium Museums / est. 2007
The museums’ main collection is dedicated to the history of the Gymnasium, the oldest institution of secondary education on the island, founded in 1812. The visitor can also see on display other diversified collections that were set up by the school throughout its history (archaeology, numismatics, cartography, old weaponry, natural history).
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 09:00-15:30 / Wed 09:00-17:00 / Sat 09:00-13:00 Permanent exhibitions
Tel: +357 22 466014 / Admission Free // INSIDE THE WALLS
Museum Of Cypriote Coinage / est.1995
This museum is the only one of its kind on the island. It houses a large portion of the numismatic collection of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, which covers the country’s entire numismatic history, from the sixth century BC to the present day featuring more than 500 coins.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Sun 10:00-19:00 Permanent exhibitions
Tel: +357 22128157 / Admission Free // INSIDE THE WALLS
Cyprus Postal Museum /est. 1981
On display a series of stamps related to the postal history of Cyprus. Starting with the era of Venetian rule (fiſteenth century AD), when postal communications to and from Cyprus first began, and ends with the present day.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00 / Sat 09:00-13:00 Permanent exhibitions
Tel: +357 22304711, +357 22760522 / Admission Free // INSIDE THE WALLS
National Guard Commandos Museum /est. 2010
The Museum’s exhibits are divided into four sections, all of which aim to present the history of Cyprus’ National Guard Reserve Commandos.
Operating Hours:
Wed 19:00-21:00 by appointment only
Τel.: +357 22678076 Admission Free // INSIDE THE WALLS
Cyprus Folk Art Museum / est. 1937
It is housed in an old Gothic monastery that once served as the Archbishop’s Palace. The private chambers of two of its formeroccupants, Archbishops Kyprianos and Makarios, remain intact. There are works of pottery, embroidery, metalwork, carpentry, basket-weaving, leatherwork, textiles, folk paintings, traditional costumes, lace, agricultural tools and weaving tools.
Operating Hours:
Tue-Fri 09:30-16:00 / Sat 09:00-13:00
Tel:+357 22432578 / Admission €2 // INSIDE THE WALLS
The Liberty Monument
The Liberty Monument was erected in 1973 to honor the anti-British EOKA fighters of the Cyprus Emergency of 1955-1959. It is located at the Podocatoro Bastion of the Venetian walls.
// INSIDE THE WALLS
Ethnological Museum (House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios) / est.1982
The mansion helps bring to life Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios who served as a dragoman (interpreter) for the Ottoman authorities. On the first floor’s east wing is the reception hall (“ondas”), a room that stands out from the rest and is worth visiting.
Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri 08:30-15:30 / Sat 09:30-16:30
Tel:+357 22305316 / Admission €2,50 // INSIDE THE WALLS
Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, Associated with the Pierides Foundation / est. 1994
It is housed in the Old Power Station building, which was the very first power station of Lefkosia. The refurbishment effort that transformed the old power station into a state-of-the-art exhibition space was honoured with the Europa Nostra award in 1994. Its main missions are to promote the visual arts in Cyprus and to bring about greater contemporary art awareness in the Cypriot public.
Opening times:
Tue-Sat 10:00-21:00
Tel.:+357 22797400 / Admission Free // INSIDE THE WALLS
The Medieval Walls of Nicosia
A prime example of 16th century military architecture. They were built of mud - brick, with the lower part only buttressed by stone. The walls contain eleven pentagonal bastions with rounded orillons and protected by an 80 meters wide moat. The bastions are named aſter eleven families, pillars of the Italian aristocracy of the town, who donated funds towards the construction of the walls. Consisting of three gates: Paphos Gate, Famagusta Gate, Kyrenia Gate
// INSIDE THE WALLS
The Centre for Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) / est. 2014
It is located in Old Lefkosia, within the city’s Venetian Walls. The collection spans the period between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, and is spread among four floors. A section of special interest is devoted to Cyprus’ last Queen, Catherine Cornaro.
Opening Hours:
Summer schedule (16 May-15 Sep) / Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00 /Fri 10:00-20:00 / Winter schedule Tuesday-Sunday 09.30-5.00pm
Tel: +357 22300999 / Admission €5,00 Reduced rate for groups / Students free
// INSIDE THE WALLS
Famagusta Gate
Famagusta Gate, the most significant of the gates of Venetian Nicosia, opened onto the road that led to the most important harbor town of the island, hence its name. It was originally known as ‘Porta Giuliana’ in honour of Giulio Savorgnano, the engineer who designed and erected the Venetian walls.
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 20:00
GPS coordinates: Lat 35.16852 / Lon:33:38568
// INSIDE THE WALLS
Omeriye Hamam
It was built in 1570 - 71 as a donation by Lala Mustafa Pasha to the city aſter the island fell to the Ottomans. The bath complex or hamam was dedicated to the Caliph Omar and the area became known as Omeriye. In 2006 it received the Europa Nostra prize.
Operating Hours / Use of Baths(charged):
Tue, Thu, Sat: 09:00 - 21:00 (for men) / Wed, Fri, Sun:09:00 - 21:00 (for women) / Mon: 10:00 - 19:00 (for couples)
For group tours call in advance / Operating Period: All year round // INSIDE THE WALLS
Nicosia old Aqueduct
Built in the 18th century, the ancient Aqueduct was part of the old water supply system of Nicosia which brought water from the mountains north of the city. This section of the aqueduct was known as the Silihtar Aqueduct, aſter the Ottoman governor of the time. During the demolition of a private building, eleven arches of this old aqueduct were revealed, hidden within the structure of an adjoining newer construction // INSIDE THE WALLS
National Struggle Museum / est.1961
The museum vividly presents the E.O.K.A. Struggle (1955-1959) for the liberation of Cyprus. Historical facts are presented through items, photographs and documents of the insurgent organisation E.O.K.A.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 08:00-14:30
Tel: +357 22305878 / Admission Free // INSIDE THE WALLS (OPPOSITE THE PANCYPRIAN GYMNASIUM)
Pafos Gate
Pafos Gate was also known as Gate of San Domenico, because it replaced an earlier gate of the Frankish walls, called ‘Porta di San Domenico’ aſter the nearby abbey of San Domenico.
Tel: +357 22797600
// INSIDE THE WALLS
The Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum
It features a unique collection of 20th centuy motorcycles associated with the history of Cyprus and the evolution of technology from the British era until today. The Museum also hosts a permanent photo exhibition on Cyprus.
Operating Hours:
Mon - Fri: 10:00-13:00, 15:30-17:30 / Sat: 10:00-13:00 / For groups upon appointment
Tel: +357 99543215 / Admission Fee:€5 // INSIDE THE WALLS
Info:
cyclassicmotorcyclemuseumcytanet.com.cy
Loukia & Michael Zampelas Art Museum/ est. 2012
Visitors can experience the Zampelas family private collection consisting mainly of Cypriot Art from the 20th century to the present day. Diverse temporary exhibitions run in the Museum gallery, once a traditional Cypriot house which was later bridged with a new building.
Operating Hours:
Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 10:00-13:00 & 15:00-18:00 / Wed 10:00-13:00 & 15:00-19:00
Tel: +357 22456098 / Admission Fee €6,00 - €4,00 Reduced / Free Admissions to the Museum collection every Thursday // OUTSIDE THE WALLS (KAIMAKLI AREA)
Local Archaeological Museum of Ancient Idalion /est. 2007
Dali is located south east of the capital Nicosia and close to the ancient city of Idalion which was founded, according to tradition, by the Achean hero of the Trojan war, Chalcanor. The Museum exhibits inscriptions that attest to the city’s conquest by foreign powers.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 08:30-16:00
Tel: +357 22444818 / Admission Fee €2.50 // OUTSIDE THE WALLS (DALI-TOWARDS LARNACA)
CYBC Museum Of Broadcasting /est. 2016
It presents the history of the state-owned Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, an institution that has played a crucial role in the island’s history and culture ever since its beginnings in the 1950s.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:00-13:00 by appointment only
Tel: +357 22862336 / Admission Free €2.50 // OUTSIDE THE WALLS (AGLANTZIA)
Historical Labour Museum /est. 1992
Museum dedicated to the Cypriot Labour Movement. It contains historically significant documents and other material that originate as far back as the 1930s.
Operating Hours:
Daily 08:00-17:00
Tel: +357 22866696 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // OUTSIDE THE WALLS
Nicosia Water Board Museum /est. 2013
This museum features exhibits that present a detailed account of the effort of Cyprus’s inhabitants to secure their water supply throughout the island’s history.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 07:30-15:00 By appointment only
Tel: +357 22698203, +357 22698225 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // OUTSIDE THE WALLS (STROVOLOS)
Heroes Museum /est. 2006
The Heroes Museum is housed in a building at Yeri’s central square. It was founded in order to honour the memory of three of Yeri’s native sons, Ionas Nicolaou, Kyriacos Kolokasis and Kyriacos Kakoullis.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri by appointment only / Permanent exhibitions
Tel: +357 22481755 / Admission Fee: Admission Free
// OUTSIDE THE WALLS (STROVOLOS)
Point Center of Contemporary Art /est. 2007
The Museum aims to foster a multidisciplinary engagement with new trends in all aspects of the arts, architecture, film, music and sound.
Operating Hours:
Wed-Fri 10:00-17:00 / Sat 11:00-15:00
Tel: +357 22662053 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // OUTSIDE THE WALLS
Cyprus Police Museum /est. 1933
Founded in 1933 by the British colonial administration, this museum was initially named the Cyprus Forensic Museum. Its exhibits present the evolution of law enforcement as well as important events during British rule, like the island- wide riots of October 1931, World War II and the National Struggle of 1955-1959 against British rule.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 09:00-13:00 by appointment only
Tel: +357 22808793 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // OUTSIDE THE WALLS
State Gallery / est. 1990
The State Art Collection makes it one of the island’s most important cultural institutions. It supports a section of twentieth century works created by Cypriot artists. It maintains an extensive record of artists’ biographical and cataloguing information, as well as a multitude of transparencies and photographs.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:00–16:45 / Sat 10:00–13:00
Tel: +357 22458228 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // OUTSIDE THE WALLS
A.G. Leventis Gallery / est. 2014
Located in the heart of Lefkosia in a distinctly modern, eco-friendly building, the A. G. Leventis Gallery showcases three distinct art collections the Paris Collection, the Greek Collection and the Cyprus Collection, which includes works created by the first generation of Cypriot artists.
Operating Hours:
Daily except Tue 10:00-17:00 / Wed 10:00-22:00
Tel: +357 22668838 / Admission Fee: €5,00 // OUTSIDE THE WALLS
Cyprus Museum /est. 1882 / opened 1908
The Cyprus Museum, the country’s first archaeological museum, boasts a series of collections that span the early periods of human settlement on the island, from the tenth millennium BC through to the Roman period and early Christianity.
Operating Hours:
Tue-Fri 08:00-18:00 / Sat 09:00-17:00
Sun 10:00-13:00 First / Wed of every month 08:00–20:00
Tel: +357 22865854 / Admission Fee: €4,50 // OUTSIDE THE WALLS
The International Natural History Museum of the Tsirides Foundation / est. 2011
The museum has a rich collection of fossils, minerals and meteorites from all over the world. It covers a vast expanse of time and space, from the unicellular organisms known as stromatoliths of 3.4 billion years ago to Homo sapiens.
Operating Hours:
Tue, Thu, Fri 10:00-13:00 & 14:30-17:30
Wed 10:00-16:00 / Sat, Sun 10:00-16:30
Tel: +357 22312676, +357 99526029 // OUTSIDE THE WALLS
The Cyprus Museum of Natural History/ est. 1996
Α collection of volcanic rocks and minerals from the Troodos mountain range, the Mesaoria valley and other areas in Cyprus, a representation of the Mediterranean seabed an insight of the plant and animal life of the island millions of years ago.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 08:30-13:00 by appointment only
Tel: +357 22585834, +357 22585858 / Admission Fee: €4,50 // OUTSIDE THE WALLS (CARLSBERG)
The Cyprus Food and Nutrition Museum/ est. 2011
The basic aims of the museum are the recording, study, preservation and spread of traditional Cypriot Cuisine, in pursuit of which the museum directs various research methods of preparation, distribution and storage of foods, and production.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 08:30-13:00 by appointment only
Tel: +357 99059820 // ONLINE ONLY
Press Museum / est. 2004
The Press Museum presents an evolution of the press in Cyprus, from the publication of the first Cypriot newspaper in 1878 to the present day, as well as the history of journalism in Cyprus.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 08:30-13:00 by appointment only / Permanent exhibitions
Tel: +357 22446090 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // OUTSIDE THE WALLS (AGLANTZIA)
The First-industrial Laboratory of Agia Varvara /est. 2000
The First-industrial Laboratory of Agia Varvara is an innovative combination of a workplace and a traditional residence. The owner’s resourcefulness allowed him to utilize 1920’s technology in such a way as to create a workshop of unprecedented productivity.
Operating Hours:
Wed, Sat 08:00-13:00
Tel: +357 22521715 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // NICOSIA DISTRICT (AGIA VARVARA VILLAGE)
Linos Museum in Kakopetria / est. 2000
The house/museum’s first section is devoted to wine, the second to bread and the third to olive oil. In the main hall there is a large tank into which the entire grape crop was poured.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 07:30-15:00
Tel: +357 22922323 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // NICOSIA DISTRICT
Eliomilos Museum (Olive Oil Musuem)
A traditional olive oil mill was made up of two stones: one would serve as a basin, while the other had a hole in the centre for a shaſt to go through; rotating the shaſt would crush the olives. The pulp would go into large baskets and pressing it with a vice would be the final step in the olive oil extraction process.
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 07:30-15:00 by appointment only
Tel: +357 22922323 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // NICOSIA DISTRICT
Cyprus Railways Museum / est. 2014
The Cyprus Railways Museum is located at the old train station at Evrychou. The Cyprus Government Railways (CGR) network, which operated between 1905 and 1951,covered the distance from Ammochostos in the east to Morphou in the west, with a station in Lefkosia. From Morphou, the line extended to the south terminal at Evrychou.
Operating Hours:
Winter Schedule(16/9-15/4), Mon-Sun 08:30-16:00
Summer Schedule (16/4-15/9), Mon-Sun 09:30-17:00
Tel: +357 22933010 / Admission Fee: Admission Free / Free for children under 12 years old // NICOSIA DISTRICT
The Museum of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK) / est. 2006
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri 08:00-14:00 by appointment only
(at least 48 hour notice) / Permanent exhibitions
Tel: +357 22933010 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // NICOSIA DISTRICT (MALOUNTA - NEAR KLIROU)
Folkloric Museum in Pedoulas / est. 2005
The Folkloric Museum in Pedoulas is housed in a restored building, whose entrance is graced by the bust of its benefactor, the shipping businessman Vasos Hadjiioannou. Its exhibits are all related to traditional trades and crats.
Operating Hours
Tue-Sun 09:30-16:00
Tel: +357 22952140, +357 99348751 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // NICOSIA DISTRICT
Christos Shoemaker Museum / est. 2007
Christos Shoemaker Museum at Spilia was in the shoemaking trade from 1915 until 1995. The shop is fully equipped with all the necessary tools, machines and other shoemaking accessories.
Operating Hours:
Daily 10:00-18:00 by appointment
Tel: +357 99176839 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // NICOSIA DISTRICT (SPILIA - SOLIA AREA)
Monastery of St John Lampadistis, in Kalopanagiotis Village /est. 2000
The collection is made up of restored Byzantine icons and religious artifacts recovered from the Ioannis Lampadistis Monastery and other churches and chapels in the Kalopanagiotis area.
Operating Hours:
Daily Dec-Feb 10:00-15:30 / Mar-May 09:30-17:00
Jun-Aug 09:30-19:00 (13:00-15:30 closed) / Sep 09:30-17:00
Oct-Nov 10:00-15:30 Sun & Public holidays 11:00-15:30
Permanent exhibitions
Tel: +357 99218298 / Admission Fee: €1,00 // NICOSIA DISTRICT (MARATHASA AREA
The Museum of Nikos Kouroussis Foundation / est. 2013
The Museum was created by Nikos Kouroussis, one of the most important artists of his generation, whose oeuvre encompasses sculpture, engraving, design, painting, photography, video and stage design.
Operating Hours:
by appointment only
Tel: +357 99441937 / Admission Fee: €5,00 / €3,00 Organized groups // NICOSIA DISTRICT (MITSERO)
Κampos Forest Heritage Museum
At the museum, visitors can learn about the Kambos inhabitants’ way of living and their relationship to the forest in a specially designed screening room. You will see an authentic power-driven saw, the only one of its kind on the island, and explore an early 20th century carpenter's workshop. The museum is surrounded by a botanical garden.
Operating Hours
by appointment only
Tel: +357 22942450, +357 99469877 / Admission Fee: €3,00 / €2,00 Reduced // NICOSIA DISTRICT
facebook / Friends-of-Forestry-Museum-Kambos
The Visitor Information Centre at the Troodos Geopark / est. 2015
It is located at the newly restored Amiantos Elementary School, which takes up a corner of the abandoned asbestos mine. At the entrance of the builing, there is a geological garden containing all the types of ophiolitic rock of the Troodos mountain range.
Operating Hours:
Tue-Sun 09:00-16:00
Tel: +357 22952043, +357 99408763 / Admission Fee: €3,00, €2,00 Children and organized groups / €1,00 School visits // NICOSIA DISTRICT
Pedoulas Byzantine Museum / est.1999
This museum has assembled a remarkable collection of valuable icons and relics that span the period between the thirteenth and twentieth centuries, all culled from the 10 chapels of Pedoulas.
Operating Hours:
Tue-Sun 10:00-16:20
Tel: +357 22953636 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // NICOSIA DISTRICT
Fikardou Museum / est. 1983
This museum is housed in the houses of Katsinioros and Achilleas Dimitri in Fikardou, Medieval style mansions with wooden roofs awarded with the Europa Nostra Award.
Operating Hours:
Winter (16 Sep–15 Apr) Mon-Sun 08:30–16:00 /
Summer (16 Apr–15 Sep) Mon-Sun 09:30-17:00
Tel: +357 22634731 / Admission Fee: €2,50 // NICOSIA DISTRICT
Museum of Folk Art, Tradition and Heritage in Platanistasa / est. 2000
The Museum of Folk Art, Tradition and Heritage in Platanistasa is located close to the village square. On display are antique tools such as a fully functional loom for weaving, a millstone and all the necessary accoutrements found in traditional oil mills and wineries.
Operating Hours:
by appointment only
Tel: +357 22652090 / Admission Fee: Admission Free // NICOSIA DISTRICT
Tamasos Archaeological Site
The large archaeological site has unearthed the temple of Aphrodite, two majestic royal tombs, as well as several smaller ones. Six oversized limestone statues dating back to the 6th century BC, when Cyprus was under Egyptian rule are now exhibited in the Cyprus Archaeological Museum in Nicosia.
Operating Hours:
Sep 16- Apr 15 / Mon - Fri: 08:30-16:00
Apr 16-Sep 15, Mon - Fri: 09:30 - 17:00 /
Closed on weekends
Operating Period: All year round / Closed on Public Holidays
Tel: +357 22622619 / Admission Fee: €2,50 // NICOSIA DISTRICT
