For those of you who with an articulate interest in the history of Cyprus, the following museums in and around the Paphos area will certainly be worth a visit:
- ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF POLIS – The ancient city of Marion once existed in Polis Chrysochous. It was a significant commercial centre in Classical and Hellenistic times. The new local Museum of Polis, Marion/Arsinoe houses an interesting collection of antiquities found in the region. Telephone Contact: +357 26 322 955
- BYZANTINE MUSEUM – An attractive collection of objects from the Byzantine period, including Byzantine icons from the 7th to 18th century, and the oldest icon in Cyprus dating back to the 7th of 8th century. Telephone Contact: +357 26 931 393
- ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM – An interesting private collection of objects from the Neolithic Age to the present day. Telephone Contact: +357 26 932 010
- PAPHOS DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM – Attractive collection of Cypriot antiquities from the Paphos area, dating from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD. Telephone Contact: +357 26 306 215
- MUSEUM OF THE MYCENAEAN COLONISATION OF CYPRUS – Maa-Paleokastro (Coral Bay Area) – This is an area which accommodated the first ancient (Mycenaean) Greeks, who emigrated to Cyprus around 1200BC after the fall of the Mycenaean Kingdoms in mainland Greece. It is a very important site in Cyprus because this is where Hellenism originated on the island. The little museum with its unusual architecture os the work of Andrea Bruno, Professor at the University of Turin and one of Europe’s greatest architects. The Museum depicts the colonisation of Cyprus by the Mycenaean Greeks.
- SANCTUARY OF APHRODITE, PALAIPAFOS MUSEUM MEDIEVAL MANOR – Kouklia Village – Palaipafos, old Paphos, was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world, and once a city-kingdom of Cyprus. Here stood the famous sanctuary of Aphrodite, the most ancient remains of which date back to the 12th century BC. The museum, housed in the Lusignan Manor, contains many interesting finds from the area, and excavations continue on the site of the sanctuary, the city and the necropolis. Telephone Contact: +357 26 432 180
- FOLK ART MUSEUM – Geroskipou Village – A fascinating collection of folk arts and crafts from the 19th and early 20th century is exhibited in the beautiful Chatzismith house. Telephone Contact: +357 26 306 213
- BYZANTINE MUSEUM OF ARSINOE – Peristerona Village – Located 9km south of Polis. Telephone Contact: +357 26 352 515
- FOLK ART MUSEUM PSATHOMOUSEION - Ineia Village – Basket Weaving Museum. Telephone Contact: +357 26 332 562
- STENI VILLAGE LIFE MUSEUM – Steni Village, off Paphos to Polis Road, 6km southeast of Polis – Inspired and largely developed by the village “moukhtar”, Elias Lambides, the Steni Village Life Museum depicts rural life in the area from 1844. Exhibits include items of clothing and furniture, as well as various objects collected in the area or donated by residents of Steni and the surrounding villages. The CTO has given it a 5-star rating, calling it ‘the jewel of the sea’. Telephone Contact: +357 26 352 143 or +357 99 625 004
- KOUYIOUKA WATERMILL FOLKLORIC AND CULTURAL MULTICENTRE – Giolou Village – Located 3km after Giolou village, on the main road B7 from Paphos to Polis. The watermill is a 200-year-old building renovated from its former glory, functioning as a Cultural Multicenter, dedicated to the local spirit and culture. The place houses a coffee shop, a traditional bakery, a restaurant and a museum devoted to “bread, wine and olive oil”.