Museums in Northern Cyprus
The cultural background of Northern Cyprus is truly impressive - the island has a very rich history.
We will list here the museums you can visit as part of your stay in the northern part of the island. These are not all the sights, such as Saint Hilarion Castle, but specifically museums.
Museums in Northern Cyprus
- Dervish Pasha Mansion
- Lapidary Museum
- Mevalana Museum
- Fazıl Küçük Museum
- Museum of Barbarism
- National Struggle Museum
- Engomi Ancient City Museum
- Kanbulat Museum
- Othello Tower Museum
- Ancient City Museum of Salamis
- Namık Kemal Underground and Museum
- Icon Museum in the Monastery of Barnabas
- Bellapais Abbey
- Shipwrecks Museum in Kyrenia
- Museum of Freedom and Peace
- Cyprus Museum of Modern Art
- Palace of Vouni Museum
- Ancient City of Soli Museum
- Museum of Archaeology and Nature
- Icon Museum in the Monastery of St. Mamas
- Miniatures Museum
Dervish Pasha Mansion
This huge mansion, located within the old city walls in the historic Arabahmet quarter of Nicosia, embodies the traditional architecture of Northern Cyprus. It houses some of the richest Ottoman artifacts.
Lapidary Museum
Located east of Selimiye Mosque, this gallery is housed in a two-story stone building in Venetian style built in the mid-15th century. At the time of its construction, this building was within the medieval courtyard of St. Sophia Cathedral and served as a guest house for pilgrims and travelers.
Mevalana Museum (Dervish Museum)
Located just beyond the gates of Kyrenia in the Ibrahim Pasha quarter of Nicosia, the Mevlevi Tekke is one of the most important historical and religious buildings on the island. Created specifically for the gatherings of the Sufi brotherhood or Islamic mystics, the building served as a place for spiritual retreat.
Fazıl Küçük Museum
A Turkish Cypriot born in 1906, renowned as a physician and the first Vice-President of Cyprus after gaining independence from British rule in 1960. He founded his own political party and newspaper Halkın Sesi. You can see his office filled with books and journals, as well as waiting and treatment rooms, but in reality, the museum is still used as a research office, so the opening hours cannot be defined precisely!
Museum of Barbarism
Major Doctor Nihat's house in the 1960s, when he served in the Cypriot Turkish contingent... In those turbulent times, his house was attacked, and his wife and three children were killed.
Museum of National Struggle
The museum showcases the most memorable exhibits; its goal is to remind and educate people about the struggle carried out by Cypriot Turks in the city at the end of the 19th century.
Ancient City of Enkomi Museum
Enkomi or Engomi (in Greek Έγκωμη) is a village near Famagusta. An important city of the Bronze Age was located here, possibly the capital of Alashiya.
Kanbulat Museum
In the Kanbulat Museum in Famagusta, there is the tomb of Kanbulat, who was the commander-in-chief during the Ottoman siege of Famagusta in the 16th century and played a significant role in the successful conquest of the city. The museum also tells the story of the Ottoman conquest and showcases interesting artifacts from that time.
Museum in Othello's Tower
This tower, dating back to the medieval period, was used to guard the city of Famagusta and its harbor. According to legend, the fortress commandant inspired a character in one of Shakespeare's plays.
Ancient City-Museum of Salamis
Salamis, also known as Salamis, is the main attraction of the Greek period in the history of Cyprus. It is located just a few kilometers north of Famagusta. You will be amazed by the surviving objects of the city, such as the gymnasium, Roman baths, amphitheater, and central square with columns.
Namik Kemal's Dungeon and Museum
This Venetian palace was used as a prison during the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. Today, in the house adjacent to the prison, there is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Kemal.
Icon Museum in the Monastery of St. Barnabas
The Monastery of St. Barnabas and the Icon Museum are located near the Royal Tombs between the village of Tuzla and the ruins of Salamis. Here you will find a church that now serves as a museum and houses a stunning collection of Cypriot artifacts dating back to the 7th century BCE, a monastery that now houses an archaeological collection, and a chapel containing the tomb of the saint.
Bellapais Abbey
Bellapais is one of the main attractions of Northern Cyprus, and today it is no longer an abbey but a museum and even a concert venue.
Shipwreck Museum in Kyrenia
Perhaps the most notable museum located in Kyrenia Castle. Here is stored one of the most important and well-preserved fragments of maritime history. These are the remains of a Greek trading ship from the 4th century BC, which were accidentally discovered by a diver among sponges during a storm in 1965. At the moment, this is the only surviving ship from the classical era of Greece.
Freedom and Peace Museum
A historical museum located at the site of the landing of the first Turkish troops. It is located near Kyrenia, on the road just before Alsancak.
Cyprus Museum of Modern Art
The museum is located on the campus of the Near East University. The collection of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art consists of works from a wide range of schools, styles, and directions.
Vouni Palace Museum
It is believed to have been built during the Persian occupation, around 330 BC. Located on a high mountain by the sea, besides the museum ruins, it offers beautiful views.
Ancient City of Soli Museum
Another of the oldest places on the entire island. Particularly notable is the preserved mosaic depicting a swan.
Museum of Archeology and Nature
Located in the center of Guzelyurt (Morphou), this museum presents various artifacts from the surrounding area, starting from the Neolithic era. Here you can see jewelry from the Byzantine era, pottery, and bronze vessels from the late Bronze Age, and much more.
Icon Museum in the Monastery of St. Mamas
Belonging to the Museum of Archaeology and Nature in Guzelyurt, it is located in the adjacent church. Admission is through a single ticket; you need to ask the caretaker to open the church.
Miniature Museum
The park is located on the northern coast of Cyprus, very close to the road from Kyrenia towards Karpasia, between Tatlisu and Mersinlik. Next to the park stands the ancient church of Panagia Pergaminiotissa, and beyond it are the miniatures themselves. There are a total of 25 mini-versions of various landmarks, including several from Turkey.
What else can you see
We did not include three famous castles in the list of museums, but essentially they are also open-air museums. Make sure to visit them.
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…