The Cyprus Museum, the oldest and most important museum on the island, presents a panorama of ancient Cypriot civilization, from the earliest evidence of human presence on the island in distant prehistory (c. 10,500 BC) through to the Roman period (4th century AD). The construction of the building began in 1908, and its core was completed in the 1920s. The design is attributed to the architect Nikolaos Balanos, while supervision was carried out by the British architect George Jeffery, who was then Curator of Antiquities. The result is a monument that combines the elegance of neoclassical architecture with the character of Nicosia. Since 1935, following the enactment of the Antiquities Law and the establishment of the Department of Antiquities Cyprus, the Cyprus Museum has also served as the administrative headquarters of the Department of Antiquities.
Photos: The Cyprus Museum
