archbishop makarios iii foundation - byzantine museum and art galleries

The icons in the byzantine museum include some of nicest ones in the world. I particularly like the ones with animals, such as the ones of St Mammes.

I enjoyed it, however not all people are so found of history. Otherwise, a quiet place with interesting background.

If you love old art work then this is a must. Personally there are only so many church relics I can view before wanting a change of venue. The history of some of the pieces is interesting and well worth a visit. There was a National Guard exhibit in the basement but it would have been better if there was an English translation to the exhibits rather than all in Greek.

This museum is next to the Archbishop's palace and the Folk Art museum. The main downstairs area is full (and I mean FULL) of icons hanging from floor to ceiling. There are hundreds in there, and the effect is overwhelming, just not in a beautiful way. You can't take in the history and craftmanship, you're better off visiting a smaller church and seeing a few in the proper context. Plus you are stalked by the paranoid attendants who want to stop you taking photos. Upstairs are further exhibitions of 18th-20th century art. They also make the point about Turkish destruction and German art thieves over and over again until the whole propaganda bit becomes wearing.There is one decent recreation of a small church, with a painted cupola, which really has a peaceful atmosphere, but the rest is just too much.

Very interesting with very good tour by professionals. I think that it was best Byzantine Museum that I have ever visited.

Big area and building with historical sense but nothing extraordinary. It's a place to take 2-3 photos and that's it !!!

This gallery is just opposite to my school. They used to take us to the Cathedral for the Great religious days. I visited the gallery few times, always founded it lovely. Used to pass by the archbishopric every day. And always liked it.

I love icons, and this museum is full of fantastic ones, as well as the famous 6th century mosaic fragments from the church of the Kanakaria. The collection is stellar and well presented and labeled. The wonderful frescoes from the church of Agios Ephimianos (Themonianos) are also there. Well worth the price of admission if you are interested in the historical paintings of Cyprus. If you aren't that interested, it's a bit steep. Look carefully on your map to find it as the streets really wind about in that part of town. Be sure to visit those churches in Cyprus that still have their frescoes on their walls.

It was only open for restricted hours. VERY difficult to locate, as no one in Nicosia seemed to know where this was, and I asked dozens of people. Very expensive entry fees, and strict rules on photography. Much of the gallery was closed off anyways, once I managed to find it. No free brochure, like most other museums provide. Overall, not a visitor friendly place, and I visit a lot of museums.

Tucked away in a corner of the old town, but well worth a visit - a large and comprehensive collection of icons and religious paintings from all over Cyprus well-lit and presented. Also an interesting sidelight on the theft of icons, not only by invading Turks but by venal UN officials as well!

It cost four euros to visit the art galleries that make part of the museum. Part of the site are not open to the public as they are government buildings. There is a small church in the grounds that was worth visiting but you cannot take pictures and we were quickly followed in to ensure this. The galleries are amazing if like myself, you are into icons. They had a recent shipment that had been found in Munich. The treasures were removed and sold after the 1974 troubles on the island. There was a video showing how churches in the North of Cyprus had their icons removed, even from solid walls. It was sad watching it, but there was a war on, and things like that happened all over the world. No photos were allowed of the icons. Some were in pieces. The museum is named after the Archbishop Makarios the third and the last time I visited there was a huge metal statue of him, it has now been moved to his grave!Interesting and definitely worth the visit if you are in the area.

The buildings are huge, especially in respect to the typical size oh houses in Nicosia in the old town as well the new part of the town. We visited the Byzantine Museum and actually we were not impressed. The concept was to exhibit religious pictures from the Byzantine era. If this is of interest for you, you may enjoy it, but we were not that much. There are 3 or 4 large rooms within the museum and you can get around easily. It is not large and maybe 30 minutes are more than enough if you do not follow a personal guide.

I like icons, always did. And even more so since the vagaries of life turned me into a Greek Melkite Catholic. Spending a month a year in Greece for the last 15 years didn't hurt, either. This introduction only serves to explain that we understand and enjoy icons. This collection contains only great icons, beautifully presented. Most churches in Greek Cyprus just have a few good icons, and the surviving ones in Turkish Cyprus only contain junk, all the good stuff having been looted and whisked away to Switzerland or the US. So this museum is a treat. We visited with a group and skipped the art galleries, and I have no idea what we missed there. But we were delighted with the icons! The bad news: no photos, and they watch you.

Archbishop Makarios III Foundation - Byzantine Museum and Art Galleries, located at the centre of old town of Nicosia, in the Archbishopric yard, next to St. Ioannis cathedral, that is worthwhile to visit and opposite Pancypian Gymnasium and Severios Library.The artworks dated 15th - 19th century, were collected from Archbishop Makarios III, in 1963.Byzantine Museum is fantastic,very rare and has wonderful icons from various churches, some of these were in the Turkish occupied area,were sold by smugglers of antiquities,but at least are returned.There is a fee to pay, but is worthwhite !

Here you can find works of art from Cyprus, Greece and the rest of Europe dating from the 9th to 19th century.There is special emphasis to the paintings based on the Greek Revolution against Othoman Empire of 1821, the Cypriot Liberty Struggle against British Empire of1955-59.There is a section for artworks saved by churches that have been vandalised in the occupied areas.There are also artworks by contemporary Greeks and Cyprots artists...