Byzantine Museum of Paphos
Paphos Byzantine Museum exhibits an attractive collection of ecclesiastical and religious artifacts, from the Byzantine period. The artifacts come from the area of Paphos. In addition to the very interesting collection of icons, the museum exhibits many other unique interesting objects.
The collections of the Byzantine museum include ancient Byzantine icons, and collections of metallic objects, woodcarving, Gospels, old books and manuscripts, wall frescoes, and ecclesiastical embroidery.
What is included in this article / Table of Contents:
Paphos Byzantine Museum opening hours
When to visit the museum
Paphos Byzantine Museum entry fee
Other useful information about the Byzantine Museum
Telephone, address
The collections of the museum
What you will see during your visit
How to get to Geroskipou
Directions to Geroskipou by car or by bus
Other things to do while in Geroskipou
Complement your visit to the museum and make it a nice excursion
Paphos Byzantine Museum opening hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 16:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 13:00
Closed on Sunday
The museum is open all year round, except Sundays and Public Holidays.
Paphos Byzantine Museum entry fee
The entrance fee is €4,00
For pensioners over 65 years old, the entrance fee is €3,00
Other useful information about the Byzantine Museum
Address: Archbishop Makarios III Avenue, Square of Geroskipou, Geroskipou
Telephone: +357 26 27 12 21
The Ecclesiastical Museum of the Holy Bishopric of Paphos, as is now its official name, has been relocated to Geroskipou, in an old elementary school, near the town central square. Before this, it was housed at the premises of the Holy Bishopric of Paphos, in Paphos.
The museum houses ecclesiastical artifacts from Paphos district. It is well worth a visit, especially for those interested in religious history, ecclesiastical items, ancient religious books like Gospels and manuscripts, and a collection of impressive icons.
The collections of the museum
Unique exhibits are included in the museum's collections, making a visit well worth it.
The icons collection
The museum possesses a remarkable collection of icons.
The majority of the icons come from the Byzantine era, dating between the 12th and 18th centuries. They are all from Cypriot churches from the Paphos area and it is obvious that their quality depends in part on the wealth of the church and the area they come from.
Among the exhibits, the small icon of Agia Marina, dating back to the 7th or 8th century, stands out. Agia Marina is depicted with uplifted arms in the heavens, with scenes of her martyrdom around her. It is one of the oldest icons in Cyprus and the only one dating back to the pre-iconoclastic period, 7th-8th century.
Religious metallic objects
The museum exhibits metal ecclesiastical objects from the 6th century. Among them, there are unique and extremely important exhibits, like oil lamps, candles, incense burners, candlesticks, etc. There are also buckles, miters, reliquary, chalice, and pastoral staff. Among the pastoral staff, one that belonged to the Metropolitan of Ephesus Meletios from 1764, stands out.
Gospels, old books, and manuscripts
The collection of manuscripts and old books is particularly rich. Among them are included Gospels from 1462 and 1604, Hymnologium of the 15th century, Firman of 1853. There are also many interesting books on Byzantine music.
Woodcarving
The collection of wood carvings is rich. It includes items like iconostases, royal doors, Bishop thrones, and crucifixes. There are also rich collections of wood carvings, pulpits, crucified and mourners, shrines, benches, and crosses of blessing.
Wall paintings and frescoes
The detached wall paintings and frescoes in the museum come from abandoned and ruined ancient churches in Paphos area. They date back to the 11th and 12th centuries.
Ecclesiastical embroidery
Finally, the collection of vestments and ecclesiastical embroidery is particularly remarkable. The collection includes gold-embroidered vestments of the 18th and 19th centuries, epitaph of the 19th century and other, very interesting artifacts.
Location of the museum
Access to the museum is very easy. The Byzantine museum is located near the central square of Geroskipou. Close to the museum, on the central square of Geroskipou, there is a very interesting ancient church, dedicated to Agia Paraskevi. It is a very beautiful church, the square is also very beautiful and I recommend you to visit it as well.
Also nearby, just after passing the square, there is a second museum, the Folk Art Museum of Geroskipou. This is an ethnographic Museum since 1978. Its diverse collection of exhibits come from all over Cyprus and represent objects from the daily life in Cyprus from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
This way you can combine the visit with visits to the Museum of Folk Art, Geroskipou, and the nearby ancient church of Agia Paraskevi.
How to get to Geroskipou
Visiting Geroskipou from tourist areas like Kato Paphos or Coral Bay is very easy. You can visit the town by car or by bus. By car it is a 10-15 minutes drive from Kato Paphos, by bus, it takes a bit more.
By car, just follow the signs towards Geroskipou. Once in the town, be careful at the central square to take the left turn exactly opposite the square. At a mere twenty meters, there is ample, free car parking.
By bus, just ask which bus route goes to Geroskipou. Tell the driver where you want to stop. There is a bus stop almost outside the museum. Routes to and from Geroskipou are very frequent, so you will not concern about when to go and when to return.
Other things to do - buy Geroskipou loukoumi, a traditional sweet
As we mentioned above. while being in the area, it is a very good idea to also visit the ancient church of Agia Paraskevi in the central square and the Folk Art / Ethnographic Museum of Geroskipou at the other end of the square. Just to give you an idea, the two museums are about 300 meters apart.
Geroskipou is also famous for its unique traditional products, Geroskipou delights (Loukoumia Geroskipou). So, while in Geroskipou, it is a good opportunity to taste and buy them. There are specially dedicated shops-stations of the workshops of these sweet traditional products, on the main road, opposite the central square of Geroskipou. A very good idea for presents to friends and family when you will be back home.
Given the easy access to Geroskipou, this could be a good idea for a short excursion near Kato Paphos with family or friends. Enjoy!