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Discover Nicosia’s history and culture with expert-guided tours, revealing hidden gems and landmarks along the way.

A Journey Through Cyprus' Historic Heart

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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Nicosia Museums: Journey through Time and Culture

Local Archaeological Museum of Ledroi

The Local Archaeological Museum Ledroi offers a time-travel experience through Nicosia’s history. Unearthed treasures and educational programs await, making it a cultural gem connecting past and future in the city’s heart.

NICOSIA DISTRICT

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.

INSIDE THE WALLS

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.

NICOSIA DISTRICT

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.

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.

INSIDE THE WALLS

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.

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).

INSIDE THE WALLS

Museum Of Cypriote Coinage / est.1995

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The Museum of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK) / est. 2006

NICOSIA DISTRICT
(MALOUNTA – NEAR KLIROU)

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.

INSIDE THE WALLS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NICOSIA DISTRICT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NICOSIA DISTRICT

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.

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.

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.

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.

NICOSIA DISTRICT

Museums

Discover Nicosia’s history and culture with expert-guided tours, revealing hidden gems and landmarks along the way.

MEET NICOSIA MEET CULTURE

Nicosia Museums: Journey through Time and Culture

The Medieval Walls of Nicosia

The Liberty Monument

The Centre for Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) / est. 2014

Pafos Gate

Nicosia old Aqueduct

The Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum

Loukia & Michael Zampelas Art Museum/ est. 2012

The First-industrial Laboratory of Agia Varvara /est. 2000

Monastery of St John Lampadistis, in Kalopanagiotis Village /est. 2000

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