Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kanakaria mosaics
,
which were stolen from the Panagia Kanakaria (Kanakaria Church) in
Northern Cyprus after the 1974 Turkish invasion and finally returned in 1991 after a
lengthy court battle.
Among the more interesting are the icons of Christ & the Virgin Mary (12th century)
from the Church of the Virgin Mary of Arakas at Lagoudera, and the Resurrection (13th
century) from the Church of St John Lambadistis Monastery at Kalopanayiotis.
Ethnographic Museum
MUSEUM
The Ethnographic Museum houses the largest collection of folk art and ethnography on
the island. The building dates back to the 15th century, though some later additions have
been made. Here you will see exquisite examples of embroidery, lace, costumes, pottery,
metalwork, basketry, folk painting, engraved gourds, leatherwork and woodcarving, the
latter including beautiful, intricately carved chests.
National Struggle Museum
MUSEUM
(
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
; Plateia Archiepiskopou Kyprianou; admission €0.80;
h
8am-2pm Mon-Wed & Fri, 8am-2pm &
3-7pm Thu)
This display is really for die-hard history buffs and bloodthirsty children. The National
Struggle Museum exhibits documents, photos and other memorabilia from the often
bloody 1955-59 National Liberation Struggle against the British. Exhibits include a har-
rowing copy of the gallows.
Shacolas Tower Observatory
OBSERVATORY
Shacolas Tower Observatory sits, rather bizarrely, above Debenhams department store and
provides a superb vantage point across the city. You can use telescopes to gaze at the
whole of Nicosia, and trace the Green Line and the distant mountain beyond; the moun-
tainside bears a vast (and controversial) painted Turkish flag. Explanations of various
buildings and neighbourhoods are written in English, French and German.
Pancyprian Gymnasium Museums
MUSEUM
Sat)
F
Dating back to 1812, and the oldest school still operating in Cyprus, there are several mu-
seums here spread throughout a 12-room space. Highlights include an extensive natural-
history collection, an exhibit of Gothic sculptures and an art gallery with works by local
