Byzantine Museums and Sacristies

Byzantine Museum of Kykkos Monastery

The Museum of the Holy Monastery of Kykkos has followed all the formal specifications of modern museums but it is substantially different from them. It is not a museum that is completely separate from the functional space of the items it exhibits and neither is it a museum that contains exhibits only on the strength of their artistic value as are the museums of ancient Greek art. It is a museum situated inside the monastery itself and like its treasury it forms an integral part of it. Its exhibits such as icons, holy objects, woodcarvings, vestments, embroideries, manuscripts etc, are exhibited as part of the living adoration and the history of the monastery. 

The Museum contains invaluable religious relics which have been collected by the zeal and piety of the monks, objects that have overcome the ravages of time, objects full of meaning and history.

The visitors who come to the Holy Monastery of Kykkos for worship and contemplation and who visit the Museum can come across the piety that inspired the exhibits and they can also get to know some of the history of the Monastery and of the Cyprus Church more generally.

Address:	Byzantine Museum of Kykkos Monastery P.O. Box 28183, Nicosia 2091
Telephone:	+357 22 942736 / +357 22 370002
Opening Hours:	Winter: Mon-Sun 1000 -1600 Summer: Mon-Sun 0900- 1800
Entrance Fees:	1,50 CYP /  1,00 CYP for groups / free for children and students

Byzantine Museum of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation, Nicosia

The Byzantine Museum has on display the richest and most representative collection of Byzantine art works, which come from all over Cyprus. The collection has as its core forty eight icons originating from churches throughout Cyprus and from the synodic Church of the Virgin Faneromeni, which was initially designated to house the Pancyprian Byzantine Museum. These icons were put on display in the exhibition “Trésors de Chypre” held in Paris in 1967, and transferred afterwards to various European cities. Thanks to this exhibition, important icons from the occupied part of Cyprus have been preserved and are today on display in the Byzantine Museum. In the latter there are displayed today over 230 icons from the 9th to the 19th centuries, detached frescoes from the 10th century, as well as representative examples of Byzantine miniaturist art, such as heirlooms, utensils and sacerdotal vestments, which are on display in three large halls on the ground floor of the Spiritual and Cultural Centre of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation. A special place in the collection belongs to the seven mosaic fragments  of the 6th century from the apse of the Virgin Kanakaria in Lithrangomi, the 36 fragments of frescoes of the end of the 15th century from the Church of Christ Antifonitis in Kalograia, as well as icons from various occupied churches that have been re-possessed after court battles or donations from abroad, and which are a testimony to the crude destruction of our cultural heritage by Turkish illicit dealers in antiquities in the area of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops.

The first hall of the Byzantine Museum was inaugurated on 18 January 1982 by Archbishop Chrysostomos I and Spiros Kyprianou, the then President of the Cyprus Republic, while six years later the Byzantine Museum, with the addition of a new wing, took on its present aspect. From then onwards it has been continually enriched with the acquisition of new exhibits and the repatriation of works illegally exported by Turkish illicit dealers in antiquities from the areas of Cyprus occupied by the Turkish army.

The visitor to the Byzantine Museum has the possibility of browsing the last one thousand five hundred years of the country’s history through the art of the early Christian period (4th century – 649 AD), the period of the Arab raids (649 – 965 AD), the Middle Byzantine period (965 – 1191 AD), that of Frankish rule (1191 – 1489 AD ), of Venetian rule (1489 – 1571 AD) and of the Turkish occupation (1571 – 1878).

A visit to the Museum can be completed by one to the art gallery, which houses in four large galleries a unique collection of representative works from Europe, from the Renaissance to more modern times, from modern Greece and Cyprus; as well as by a study of the rich library of the Centre, consisting of rare books with subjects concerning Cyprus and numbering over 60,000 volumes.

Byzantine Museum of Paphos

The Byzantine Museum of Paphos is housed in a building owned by the Bishopric of Paphos next to the Bishopric itself and to the Church of Saint Theodoros. It was founded on the initiative of Bishop Chrysostomos II of Paphos in 1983, with the aim of preserving, protecting and projecting treasures of Byzantine art of the Paphos diocese. The greatest part of the exhibition space is taken up by representative icons from the entire diocese, dating from the 12th to the 19th centuries. Two double-panelled icons stand out, one of the Virgin Theoskepasti and Saint James Perse from the end of the 12th century, and the other of Saint Marina and Saint George from Filousa Kelokedaron, dating from 13th century. In the Museum there are also on exhibit detached wall frescoes from the Church of St. Theodoros in Choulou from the beginnings of the 12th century, sacred heirlooms, sacerdotal vestments, manuscripts and old printed books.

Byzantine Museum of Suffragan Bishop Arsinoe, Peristerona Paphos

The Byzantine Museum is situated on the ground floor of the Bishopric Arsinoe, which has been suitably arranged to house an exhibition of ecclesiastical heirlooms that make up the essential equipment of an Orthodox Church. Apart from old printed books, manuscripts and heirlooms made of artistically carved wood, silver and lacework, there is a famous collection of Byzantine and late Byzantine icons dating from the 13th to the 19th centuries. A special place in the Collection is occupied by the 13th century processional icon of Saint George from the village of Panayia, and the 14th century icon of the Virgin from the village of Peristerona of Paphos. Icons that stand out are also those signed by the painters Georgios (1540 and 1554), Yerasimos (1722) and Ioannis Cornaro (1805).

Museum of Byzantine Heritage, Palaichori

Religious treasures and other historical evidence that are on display in the Museum and come from the churches of Palaichori unfold vividly before the eyes of the visitor the historical, religious, economic and social development of this mountain community. They consist of remarkable painted works on wood, cloth and leather, carved wooden church equipment, consecrated vessels, precious vestments, manuscripts, old books, etchings, wax offerings and other artefacts. The most important icon of the Museum is that of the Extreme Mortification, which bears the signature of the painter Philippou.

Icon Collection of the Holy Monastery of St. John Lampadistis

In the Monastery of St. John Lampadistis in the village of Kalopanayiotis are kept remarkable icons, such as these of St. John Lampadistis (13th century), of the Virgin Theoskepastis of the 14th century, again of St. John (13th and 16th centuries), the icon of St. Heraklidios with donors (1543), and others. The most important works of religious art, not only from the Monastery but also from various churches of Kalopanayiotis, are on display in the Icon Collection of the Monastery, in the former elementary school of the village, a recent building of 1920 to the south of the Monastery, which has been suitably modified in the last few years. The exhibits of the icon collection cover stylistically the development of Byzantine art from the 12th to the 19th centuries. Among the works of superb art on display, a special mention should be made of the Middle Byzantine Gospel cover (12th century), with its depiction of Archangel Michael, and of an epistyle iconostasis that is one of the oldest in Cyprus (14th century), originating from the Church of the Virgin Theoskepastis in Kalopanayiotis; it depicts the Christological cycle and the prophets David and Solomon in 25 panels.

Icon Collection of Prodromos

In the icon collection of the Church of Holy Prodromos in the village of that name there is a small number of icons, among which stands out the processional icon of the Supplication dating from the 14th century originating from the old church of the area, now no longer in existence.

Icon Collection of Lemithou Village

The Chapel of St. Theodoros houses the icon collection of the village of Lemithou, where a special place is occupied by the icons of the Virgin Kykkotissa of the 13th century and of Saint Nicholas of the 14th century.

Museum of Cultural Heritage of Kaminaria Village

In the centre of the village next to the Church of Saint George is situated the Museum of Cultural Heritage with exhibits of mainly ecclesiastical and folk art from this mountain community. A special place is occupied in this collection by the Sanctuary entrance doors with Saints Basil and John Chrysostom of the 16th century and a series of written thorakia???? of the 18th century.

Ecclesiastical Museum of Kyperounda Village

In the Church of the Holy Cross in Kyperounda, apart from the remarkable frescoes dating exactly to 1521, a precious collection of icons is on display, among which stands out that of Saint Marina and which dates from the 13th century.

Sacristy of Lofou Village

In the place set apart for women in the church in Lofou that is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mother, a sacristy has been created for the ecclesiastical heirlooms of the village, such as icons, consecrated vessels and wood carvings. The icons, which date from the 19th century, are of the style of the Cornaro School. The church and the Sacristy are decorated with frescoes of 1919 signed by Othon Yiavopoulos.

Sacristy of Paralimni

In the Church of the Virgin (or of Saint Anna) of the 13th century in the centre of Paralimni, icons of the 16th to the 19th centuries are on display, as well as holy heirlooms, old books and ecclesiastical equipment. The church is decorated with frescoes of 1849 and small paintings on the arch of the dome. Among the valuable exhibits are two Christological icons that stand out: Christ Enthroned and the Virgin Mother Enthroned, from the middle of the 17th century, works by Pavlos Ierographou.

Museum of the Holy Monastery of St. Neophytos

In the east wing of the Monastery, in a specially arranged space, important treasures are on display that can be divided into two parts: ancient collections with vases that date to the Geometrical and Archaic Period (900 – 600 B.C.), and collections of religious art from the 12th to the 19th centuries, consisting of old icons, consecrated vessels and vestments, manuscripts and old printed books. Christological icons of Jesus and of the Virgin stand out, dating to about 1183 and ascribed to the painter from Constantinople Theodoros Apsevdis and two icons with Archangels of about 1544, considered to be works of Joseph Chouri.

Icon Collection of the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Chrysoroyatissa

In the icon sacristy of the Monastery, which is housed on the roof of the monastic buildings, holy heirlooms and icons are on display. Special mention should be made of the icons of the Resurrection of Lazarus of the 15th century, of the Virgin Giving Alms of the 16th century and of the Virgin Chrysoroyatissa of 1760.

Sacristy of the Holy Monastery of Machairas

In the sacristy of the monastery there are on display icons, manuscripts and old books, sacred vestments and priceless heirlooms. Among others the Official Edict of 1201, work of Saint Nilos, founder of the Monastery.

Icon Collection of Arsos

In the icon collection of the Church of the Apostle Philip, a number of moveable icons dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries are on display. The Christological icons of Jesus and of the Virgin stand out, which are ascribed to the painter-priest Dimitrios (about mid-17th century) and the famous icon of Saint John Prodromos by the painter Solomon Fiti, again mid-17th century. On a holy icon stand in the main church building can be found the large icon of Saint Philip, with scenes from his life, dating from the middle of the 13th century.

Ecclesiastical Museum of the Church of Saint Lazarus

The ecclesiastical museum of the church in Larnaca is situated in the west wing of the former cells of the monastery. In the museum are on display important icons, consecrated vessels and heirlooms that bear witness to the thousand-year history of the church. The icons of St. Michael of the Sinadon and of St. Dionysus on Olympus dating from the 19th century are worthy of note.

Sacristy of the Church of the Holy Cross, Omodos

In the Synodic chapel of the old Monastery of the Holy Cross in Omodos village, moveable icons are on display that date from the 16th to the 19th centuries. A special mention should be made of two icons of Saint Philip, one from the 16th century and the other dating from 1773.

Ecclesiastical Museum, Agros Village

In a wooden roofed chapel dedicated to the Virgin, which was built to house the heirlooms of the community, are displayed icons, old books and church equipment. The icons of Christ and of the Virgin, dating from the 12th century, stand out.

Icon Collection of Agridio Village

In the place set aside for women in the Church of the Prophet Elias, a wooden carved iconostasis of the old church and late Byzantine icons are on display; of the latter the icon/relic casket of Saint Paraskevi stands out.

Byzantine Museum of Pedoulas

In a gallery of the former school of Pedoulas there are on display icons, consecrated vessels, church utensils, offerings, manuscripts, old printed books and wooden carvings from the churches and out of town chapels of the community, dating from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Special mention should be made of the icon of the Virgin Vorinis of the end of the 13th century and a series of icons by the painters Minas of the 15th century and Pavlos Ierographou of 1660.

Church Museum of Vasa Kilaniou

The Chapel of St. John Prodromos houses the icon collection of Vasa Kilaniou Village. From among the collections of exhibits special mention should be made of the icons of Holy Barnabas of the 14th century and of Saint Timon from the second half of the 15th century.

Icon Collection of the Church of the Virgin Universal in Pelendri

In the mediaeval Church of the Virgin Universal, which contains frescoes of the Italo-Byzantine style (end 15th – beginnings 16th centuries), there are preserved the carved wooden iconostasis and its icons, which belong to the same style and period as the frescoes. Also on display are a number of icons, old printed books and consecrated vessels from the 13th to the 19th centuries.

Church Museum of Kilani Village

In the old Church of Christ Monoyenous in Kilani there are on display important icons, among which stand out the icon of Timotheos and Mavras of the 13th century and three icons of the 18th century that are ascribed to a Mount Athos workshop.

Church Museum of Sotira Village, Famagusta District

The icon collection of Sotira village is housed in the chapel of Saint George in the centre of the community. There are on display icons, consecrated vessels, vestments and heirlooms from all the churches of Sotira. Of interest is the icon of Christ of the 13th century and a wooden altar cloth of the 16th century.

Ioannis A. Eliades