Sotira village, Ammochostos
DirectionsFree Admission
Temporary closed.
By appointment. (donations accepted)
All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Note: The CultureSpot team is doing its best to provide the most accurate information through regular updates. However, operating hours, entrance fees and any details thereof are subject to change without prior notice. Visitors are recommended to verify the information before planning their visit.
The Ecclesiastical Museum, situated in the chapel of Saint George within Sotira village, displays a collection of significant religious artifacts. Among them are sacred icons, including a 15th-century portrayal of Jesus Christ, old Gospels, liturgical books, crosses, liturgical vessels, and other valuable items. Additionally, the museum is home to one of Cyprus's only three remaining portable wooden altars from the 16th century.
Adjacent to the museum stands the church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros, also known as the Transfiguration of the Saviour. This stone-built, single-aisle, vaulted church was constructed on the foundations of an earlier Byzantine basilica temple.
The village itself bears historical importance from its Byzantine past, evident in the abundance of ancient churches surrounding its vicinity.
Situated within the walled city of Nicosia, the Byzantine Museum houses an extensive and representative array of Byzantine art, making it the most affluent collection on the island. On display are over 200 icons, spanning from the 9th to the 19th centuries, alongside an assortment of sacred vessels, vestments, robes, and books.
The Byzantine Museum of the Holy Bishopric of Tamasos and Oreinis can be found within the Bishopric Palace, located in the community of Episkopeio, Nicosia. This museum showcases an array of Byzantine and post-Byzantine artifacts, which date back from the 5th century to the early 20th century. Among the fascinating exhibits are icons, liturgical objects, priestly garments, manuscripts, coins, ceramics, and various religious items. Most of these treasures originate from different communities within the bishopric region
The Cyprus Handicraft Centre serves as a hub for creating and selling authentic folk art and crafts deeply rooted in tradition. At this unique establishment, visitors have the opportunity to witness skilled artisans in action at their respective workshops, practicing various time-honored crafts like embroidery, lace making, tapestry, weaving, basketry, woodcarving, pottery, metalwork (including copperware and silver), as well as leather and garment making.
Located on the ground floor of the Old Archbishopric, the Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus boasts an extensive collection of Cypriot folk art from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the exhibits, visitors can admire various wood-carved objects, tapestries, embroidery, pottery, Cypriot folk costumes, and hand-woven materials produced on the loom.
Situated in the mountainous village of Palaichori, the museum occupies a restored historic building, showcasing the abundant Byzantine art treasures derived from various churches and chapels within the village. The exhibits span from the Frankish era to contemporary times, offering a diverse array of ecclesiastical art forms like icon painting, woodcarving, silverwork, weaving, and printing—predominantly from the post-Byzantine era. Additionally, a multimedia info-kiosk is available, offering comprehensive information about the area in four different languages.
The Museum of Kykkos Monastery forms an inseparable part of the monastery complex, housing an invaluable assortment of icons, consecrated vessels, manuscripts, and Cypriot antiquities. This Monastery stands out as the wealthiest and most opulent among all of Cyprus' monasteries, majestically perched on a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,318 meters to the northwest of Troodos.