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Nicosia
Nicosia has been the Cyprus capital since the 12th century and is busy hive of activity located on the northern interior of the beautiful island. It stands today as Europe's only divided city, being split in two by the 'Green Line', a United Nations buffer zone that divides the government-controlled south from the northern section of the island that has been occupied by Turkey since 1974. Elegant tree-lined suburbs surround the modern city centre, but the favoured tourist sector is the old town, which is being extensively renovated. The old town is a picturesque fusion of 16th-century walls, pedestrian precincts, pavement cafes and squares, brimming with charm, character and sightseeing opportunities. The city, on the Mesaoria Plain, is centre of the Nicosia District that includes the valleys of Solea and Pitsilia and parts of Marathasa with its mountain villages, orchards, hill resorts and plethora of Byzantine churches and monasteries. These are within easy reach making a pleasant day trip from the city.
Cyprus Archaeological Museum
The Cyprus Archaeological Museum in Nicosia was founded to study and display the vast array of archaeological treasures and artefacts found on the ancient island of Cyprus. Some of the exhibits are as old as 8,500 years. The museum is arranged in chronological order. The first hall contains pottery and implements from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods whilst the other rooms trace the history of Cyprus through the ages from the Bronze Age, Hellenic Period, Mycenaean times, and Roman Period to the early Byzantine. A unique feature of the museum lies in the basement, where several graves rest in a dark cellar complete with skeletal remains and grave adornments that have been reconstructed.
Address: 1 Mouseiou Street, Old City; Telephone: (22) 865 864, 865 888; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm; Sunday 10am to 1pm; Admission: C£1.50
Byzantine Museum
The Byzantine Museum is home to the largest collection of ancient icons in Cyprus and is situated in the Old City of Nicosia. The icons date from the ninth through to the 18th centuries. The museum also contains an art gallery exhibiting oil paintings, maps and lithographs.
Address: Plateia Archiepiskopou Kyprianou, Archbishopric; Telephone: (22) 430 008; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm; closed Sundays; Admission: C£1
Ethnographic Museum (former Folk Art Museum)
A visit to the vividly colourful Ethnographic Museum in Nicosia offers visitors the chance to explore the nineteenth and twentieth century Cypriot folk art, which include national costumes, embroidery, pottery, wood carvings, tapestries and intricate jewellery. The museum is housed in the Old Bishopric in a 15th-century Gothic building that used to serve as a Benedictine Monastery and then became the palace of the Archbishop.
Address: Plateia Archiepiskopou Kyprianou, Archbishopric; Telephone: (22) 432 578; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9am to 1.30pm; Admission: C£1
Old City Walls
Sixteenth century walls surround the Old City of Nicosia and express the Venetian occupation of the city at that period. Eleven heart-shaped bastions are interspersed along the walls, which have only three gates, in the north, south and east. One of the gates, the Famagusta Gate, has been restored and serves as the Lefkosia Municipal Cultural Centre, used for exhibitions, conferences, lectures and occasional performances. The gate’s vaulted passage leads on to the moat encircling the Old City, which has been planted to create a garden.
Tamassos
Tamassos was an ancient city and kingdom famous for its copper works industry and is located just twelve miles from the town of Nicosia. Recent archaeological excavations at the site have produced some exciting finds in the Royal Tombs. These were six limestone sculptures, two representing life-sized sphinxes and four lions, in a crouching position. The sculptures are believed to date to the 6th century BC when Cyprus was under Egyptian control. Visitors to the site can also see the Agios Irakleidios Monastery near Politiko village.
Address: Politiko village; Telephone: (22) 622 619; Opening time: Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm; Admission: C£0.75
Cyprus Archaeological Museum
The Cyprus Archaeological Museum in Nicosia was founded to study and display the vast array of archaeological treasures and artefacts found on the ancient island of Cyprus. Some of the exhibits are as old as 8,500 years. The museum is arranged in chronological order. The first hall contains pottery and implements from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods whilst the other rooms trace the history of Cyprus through the ages from the Bronze Age, Hellenic Period, Mycenaean times, and Roman Period to the early Byzantine. A unique feature of the museum lies in the basement, where several graves rest in a dark cellar complete with skeletal remains and grave adornments that have been reconstructed.
Address: 1 Mouseiou Street, Old City; Telephone: (22) 865 864, 865 888; Opening time: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm; Sunday 10am to 1pm; Admission: C£1.50
Byzantine Museum
The Byzantine Museum is home to the largest collection of ancient icons in Cyprus and is situated in the Old City of Nicosia. The icons date from the ninth through to the 18th centuries. The museum also contains an art gallery exhibiting oil paintings, maps and lithographs.
Address: Plateia Archiepiskopou Kyprianou, Archbishopric; Telephone: (22) 430 008; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm; closed Sundays; Admission: C£1
Ethnographic Museum (former Folk Art Museum)
A visit to the vividly colourful Ethnographic Museum in Nicosia offers visitors the chance to explore the nineteenth and twentieth century Cypriot folk art, which include national costumes, embroidery, pottery, wood carvings, tapestries and intricate jewellery. The museum is housed in the Old Bishopric in a 15th-century Gothic building that used to serve as a Benedictine Monastery and then became the palace of the Archbishop.
Address: Plateia Archiepiskopou Kyprianou, Archbishopric; Telephone: (22) 432 578; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9am to 1.30pm; Admission: C£1
Old City Walls
Sixteenth century walls surround the Old City of Nicosia and express the Venetian occupation of the city at that period. Eleven heart-shaped bastions are interspersed along the walls, which have only three gates, in the north, south and east. One of the gates, the Famagusta Gate, has been restored and serves as the Lefkosia Municipal Cultural Centre, used for exhibitions, conferences, lectures and occasional performances. The gate’s vaulted passage leads on to the moat encircling the Old City, which has been planted to create a garden.
Tamassos
Tamassos was an ancient city and kingdom famous for its copper works industry and is located just twelve miles from the town of Nicosia. Recent archaeological excavations at the site have produced some exciting finds in the Royal Tombs. These were six limestone sculptures, two representing life-sized sphinxes and four lions, in a crouching position. The sculptures are believed to date to the 6th century BC when Cyprus was under Egyptian control. Visitors to the site can also see the Agios Irakleidios Monastery near Politiko village.
Address: Politiko village; Telephone: (22) 622 619; Opening time: Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm; Admission: C£0.75
