Sights

Cyprus Museum

Near the Pafos Gate (west of the old city), opposite the city municipal gardens, you will find the Cyprus Museum. Built in 1908, the Cyprus Museum is the most important archeological museum on the island, and it is highly recommended. It exhibits stone jars of the 6th millenium BC, a marble statue of Aphrodite (from Soli, 1st century BC) and a gold sceptre (11th century BC).  

Address:

Stylianos Lenas Square, corner of Museum Street and Homer Ave.

Tel. 02 - 302 189

Opening Hours:

Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm and Sun 10am - 1pm.

type:	Hotspots
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Panagia Phaneromeni Church

Situated in Onasagoras Street this fine Orthodox Church will draw your attention. It was rebuild on ancient remains (1300 AD) at the end of the 19th century (1872/73). In 1938 a new bell tower was added and its bells were brought from England in 1940/41.

The church was named after a nunnery of the same name, which once stood on this spot. It belonged to Panayia (Virgin Mary) Phanoromeni and the nuns were silk weavers who were engaged in charitable works.

After the ottoman occupation of Cyprus in 1571, the turks attempted to turn the church into a mosque. They were more..

type:	Palaces
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Museum of National Struggle

Within the Cultural Centre you will find also the Museum of National Struggle, dedicated to the war of independence against the British. Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7.30am - 2.30am and 3pm - 5.30pm. Entrance fee. Tel. 02 - 302 465

type:	Museums
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Liberty Monument

photo by: Hans Meex, NL

This monument on the corner of Nikoforos Phokas and Koraes Streets commemorates the release of EOKA (People's Army for Enosis) Cypriots patriots in 1959.

type:	Hotspots
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Laiki Ytonia

Nicosia the old city Laiki Geitonia
photo by: Hilda Osinga

This restored area of the old city is the pride of all Nicosians and the center of the capital’s life. Restoration began in 1981, and included renewal and reconstruction of all structures within the target area. Now the streets are lined with small art-and-craft shops, boutiques and galleries. The project won 1988 the “Pomme d’Or”, a prestigious biennal international prize.

type:	general
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Agios Ioannis Cathedral

Photo of the Agios Ioannis Cathedral
photo by: Johan Meuwissen

North of the Bishopric Palace you will find this Greek Orthodox Church. Built in 1662 on the foundations of a 15th century Beneductine Monastery, its impressive interiors house a series of reproductions of 18th century works of art. Open Mon - Sat 8am - noon and 2pm - 4pm. Entrance free.

type:	general
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Archbishopric Palace

Not as its name assumed, the Archbishopric Palace is a modern, impressive mansion, built in Byzantine style (1955 - 60). Corner of Kyprianos and Zenon of Kitium Streets.
Inside  you 'll find  the Byzantine Museum with an impressive collection of Cypriotic Icons.

type:	Hotspots
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Sculpture at Hellenic Bank

Helene Black at hellenic bank

Situated in the entrance of Nicosia, The hellenic Bank offices is not a building one would want to write home about. It is built in a post modern pastiche style, mimicking the grande orders of commercial classicist architecture of the 80s. On second look though, there is a public sculpture by, I found later, the star of the Cyprus artistic avant guarde, Helene Black. The sculpture consists of 12 stainless steel overcalled flowers with a 13th giant flower situated in the centre of the square. the flower is a joy to investigate in different times of the day as it slowly opens and more..

type:	Squares
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Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum is housed by the Centre of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation east of Laiki Ytonia. It exhibits a very rich collection of statues, paintings and fragments. They date from a period ranging from the 8th to the 18th century. It depicts the development of decorative arts in Cyprus from their crudest Early Middle Age expression to their 12th century peak. The influence of European Crusaders, and later of Venetian traders, is evident. During the Ottoman period (16th - 19th century) the figurative arts, and specially sculpture, were neglected and practically more..

type:	Museums
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Museum of Modern Art

Open from June to September.

Address:

Corner of Evagorou and Themistokli Dervi Aves.

type:	Museums
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Leventis Municipal Museum

At 17 Ippokratous Street you will see this museum, which is resident in a very accurately restored 19th century building. It houses an interesting presentation of daily nicosian life throughout the ages. The museum is open Tue – Sun 10am – 4.30pm. Free entrance.

Museum of Folk Art

This museum is accommodated in a 15th century Benedictine monastery. Its halls contain a collection of Benedictine relics, ancient farming tools, religious art objects, Lefkaritika and other lace and Foini aerthenware.

Ledra Museum & Observatory

This museum combines a modern museum with an unhindered and beautiful view of the entire city. It can be found on the 11th floor of the Shacolas Tower. The exhibition - a cooperation with the Leventis Museum of Nicosia and the Woolworth Group - shows photographs and desciptions of Old Nicosia, a multilingual taped history and telecopes.

Address: Corner Ledras & Arsinoes Streets, Tel. 02 - 369 369, Opening Hours: daily from 10am to 8pm. Admission fee of 25 cents required.