Ethnographic Museums

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.

The Ethnographic Museum, founded in 1958, is a private institution showcasing the personal collection of the late George Eliades. This esteemed intellectual had a passion for archaeology, history, folk art, and literature, leading him to amass a remarkable array of art treasures from the rural regions of Cyprus, particularly Paphos.

In the early 19th century, the village of Fikardou was abandoned, but it has since been designated an Ancient Monument and meticulously restored to safeguard its 18th-century houses, featuring exquisite woodwork and traditional rural architecture. To provide insights into the past, two of these houses have been converted into museums, showcasing rural artifacts and depicting the life of bygone eras.

The Local Ethnographic Museum of Geroskipou, established in 1978, is situated in the traditional 'House of Hadjismith,' an 18th-century building. The museum boasts a vast and diverse collection of artifacts from all across Cyprus, offering insights into the daily life, crafts, activities, and various forms of Cypriot folk art during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the rural crafts displayed are pottery, scarf making, rug weaving, rope making, and the renowned silk manufacturing that brought fame to the island.

The Ethnographic Museum located in Avgorou village is accommodated in a traditional two-story residence known as the Koutras House, dating back to 1921. This museum beautifully portrays the daily life of past generations. Its exhibits boast a remarkable assortment of rare 19th-century wood-carved furniture, costumes, silverware, and pottery.

The manor house stands as one of the most significant remaining structures from the 18th century in Lefkosia (Nicosia). It underwent restoration by the Department of Antiquities to serve as the Cyprus Ethnological Museum, and in 1988, it was honored with the prestigious 'Europa Nostra' award.

Constructed in 1793 using local bloc-cut sandstone, this two-story building once belonged to Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios, the prominent Dragoman of Cyprus. Tragically, he was executed by the Ottomans in 1809.