Museums in Limassol

Museums in Limassol

If you want to make the most of your visit to Limassol then a visit to it's many museums is highly recommended, with the Folk Art Museum, Lemesos Medieval Museum, Archaeological Museum being some of the most popular.

The Folk Art Museum

The fascinating collection of Cypriot Folk Art displayed in the Folk Art Museum traces the folk history of Cyprus as a whole, it's art, culture, traditions, society, trade. In this well maintained old house a wide variety of exhibits can be seen, starting from national costumes to waistcoats, men's jackets, embroidery, necklaces, a nice selection of light clothes, town costumes, wooden chests, tapestry, household tools are put on display.

The local hand made crafts are some of the classic exhibits here, set up in the year 1985, the museum boasts to be housing more than 500 exhibits in it's six rooms, for it's a major contribution to the folk art history of Cyprus, the museum was presented with the prestigious Europa Nostra prize in 1989. Being one of the many museums situated on the island, this museum still holds a strong identity.

Tel: +357 25 362 303

Lemesos Medieval Museum

The unique history of the Medieval Museum gives it a certain edge over the other museums in Cyprus, it is certainly one of the most sought after tourist spots in this region. Housed in the 14th century Limassol Castle, close to the old port, this astonishing Medieval Museum has a rich collection of antiquities which covers the period of 400 - 1870 A.D. exhibiting numerous artifacts from the past it draws scores of tourists every year.

The thematic display includes vaults, cannons, wood carvings of the 17th and 18th century, paintings, statues, tombstones, suits of armour, terracotta, metal wares, Ottoman pottery etc. On entering the Grand Hall, there is a fine display of black and white images of Byzantine sites from all over Cyprus, climbing up to the rooftop will unveil a breathtaking view of the city, so this ancient structure is definitely worth a visit!

Tel: +357 25 330 419

The Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum is one of the key attractions in Limassol and is located near the Limassol public Gardens, the museum presents an insight to the rich cultural heritage of Cyprus, being a home to different civilizations it holds a great historical significance with fascinating findings in the Limassol district and dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman Period and offers an intriguing collection of antiquities.

Amongst the greatest archaeological discoveries are, Stone axes of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period, fragments of objects for domestic use, potteries, shards of Curium and Amathus, plentiful Roman terracotta figures which are supposed to be the remnants of the ancient votive offerings. There is also a classic exhibition of gold jewellery, oil lamps, vials, glass bottles, coins, vases columns, stone and marble effigies of deities and sculptures. After spending some time in the bustling city, a visit to the museum brings a refreshing change.

Tel: +357 5 305157

Kourion

One of the most fascinating archeological sites in Cyprus is Kourion, this spectacular ancient city dates back to the 12th century B.C. and once was one of the most marvelous cities throughout the Mediterranean, the grand Greco Roman Amphitheatre has now been completely restored, being in the audience in a theatrical and musical performance in this primeval arena can be a hard to beat experience.

The Kourion is characterized by numerous ruined houses from the late Roman period, the House of Gladiators, the House of Achilles and the House of Eustolios are some of the remnants from early centuries, the floors in the houses are paved with mosaics, the early Christian Basilica dates back to the 5th century A.D. One of the famous structures here is the Nymphaeum which was built in the 2nd century A.D. and is a sacred place devoted to water nymphs, the salient features of the stadium stand for its magnificence.