Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Cyprus Museum
MUSEUM
(
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
;
%
tel, info 2286 5888; Leoforos Mouseiou 1; admission €4.50;
h
8am-4pm Tue-Fri, 9am-4pm
Sat, 10am-1pm Sun)
Located opposite the municipal gardens, a 10-minute walk west of Plateia Elefherias, this
excellent museum houses the best collection of archaeological finds in Cyprus. Highlights
include a remarkable display of
terracotta votive statues
and
figurines
discovered in
Northern Cyprus in 1929. The 2000 figures, dating back to the 7th to 6th centuries BC, are
displayed as they were found, in a semicircular order. Another highlight is the collection
of three
limestone lions
and two
sphinxes
found in the Tamassos necropolis south of
Nicosia.
Also look out for the famous
Aphrodite of Soli
statue in Room 5, widely marketed as
the 'goddess of Cyprus' on tourist posters. An enormous bronze statue of
Emperor Sep-
timus Severus
, found at Değirmenlik (Kythrea) in 1928, is the magnificent main exhibit
in Room 6.
A couple of lovely mosaics, such as
Leda & the Swan
from Palea Pafos, are exhibited
in Room 7B, alongside various displays of gold objects excavated from tombs.
o
Leventis Municipal Museum
MUSEUM
This museum concentrates on the history of Cyprus - in particular, Nicosia. The perman-
ent collection includes traditional costumes, paintings, archaeological exhibits, and a his-
toric and fascinating postcard collection; all are fittingly housed in a handsome neoclas-
sical mansion. The gift shop is excellent.
o
Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre
MUSEUM
(Pierides Foundation;
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
;
www.nimac.org.cy
;
Apostolou Varnava 19;
h
10am-3pm & 5-11pm Tue-
Sat, 10am-4pm Sun)
F
This contemporary art museum is housed in a former power station, and is the city's equi-
valent to London's Tate Modern. The former industrial setting is suitably dramatic, with
looming pitched ceilings and some original equipment (pulleys etc) that blend well with
the cutting-edge installations. The permanent collection includes paintings, photography,
videos, sculpture, and other works from the Dimitris Pierides Museum of Contemporary
Art in Greece. Exhibitions vary monthly and often focus on edgy political and cultural
themes.
To get here duck into the small arcade to the right of the National Struggle Museum and
head along Apostolou Varnava for one block. The centre also has a sophisticated restaur-
ant, gift shop and comprehensive art library for visitors.
