The sightseer’s guide to Cypriot artefacts
Cyprus displays a treasure trove of artefacts. This island paradise’s Greek history spans more than 10,000 years. The island has taxi and bus service for access to some of the ancient sites and museums. Car-hire provides a convenient option for viewing ancient sites and artefacts.
Byzantine monasteries and Orthodox churches offer the chance to see icons in their rightful place. In an unusual happy ending in the case of a stolen artefact, singer Boy George returned an icon of Christ to the Church of Cyprus in New Chorio-Kythrea. The singer bought the icon from a London art dealer in 1985, not knowing it had been looted from the church in the 1974 Turkish invasion. The Byzantine Museum houses an extensive collection of icons and a variety of other artworks.
The Cyprus Museum in Nicosia displays archaeological artefacts and provides sightseers with background on Cyprus. The Archaeological Museum displays treasures from the island’s ancient past, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about the cultures that have made up this island’s heritage. Viewing the artefacts creates a sense of time travel, giving a sightseer glimpses of the arts and basic objects created and handled by ancient people.
Paphos was sacred as the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. The Paphos Archaeological Park features the ruins of the House of Dionysos and the House of Theseus, Roman villas famed for their intricate mosaics.
Cyprus holidays should include the must-see archaeological sites, Salamis and the ruins at Kourion. The ruins at Salamis have been restored, allowing sightseers to have a better sense of how its ancient gymnasium and amphitheatre once looked. Kourion has a settlement history from the Neolithic era to the 16th century. The first excavations at this fascinating site began in 1873. Cyprus has many prehistoric excavations for visitors to explore.




