It is a true archaeological treasure. A building that brings together the most important stations of the island’s culture. Cyprus can certainly be proud of its Archaeological Museum.
Cyprus and the history of its Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Cyprus is located in NicosiaIt is the main Archaeological Museum that Cyprus has and is the oldest one. The Cyprus Museum was founded in 1882 during the British occupation of the island. The frequent illegal excavations and exports of antiquities from the island gave a great and important boost to its creation. It is characteristic that the American ambassador, Luigi Palma di Cesnola, had exported over 35,000 items from the island. Even sadder is that most of them were destroyed during transport. Many of those rescued ended up in the collection of New York’s newly created Metropolitan Museum of Art. They are located there to this day, in the halls of Greek and Roman art.
The original museum was temporarily housed in government buildings and privately owned facilities. The current building began construction in 1908. It was designed by architect N. Balano of the Archaeological Society of Athens. In 1961 the second phase was completed, in which it remains to this day.
What you will see in the Archaeological Museum of Cyprus
In fact, it is a miniature of the rich history that Cyprus hasIt outlines its history from the prehistoric times to the early Christian period. The Museum was enriched after extensive excavations throughout the island over the years. Thus, the archaeology that Cyprus has, came to the forefront of international archaeological research. There, is the entire cultural heritage of Cyprus such as ceramics, jewellery, sculptures and coins from the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and the Greco-Roman period. Among the brilliant exhibits is the statue of Aphrodite of Solon, a collection of gold jewellery and remains from the royal tombs of Salamina. The museum is also the stop of the cultural route of Aphrodite.
Operation Period: All year round
Address: Museum 1, Nicosia
Phone Number: +357 22 865 854
External photography source: http://www.nicosia.org.cy/
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