Terracotta Sculpture Museum in the Village of Akdeniz in Northern Cyprus
The open-air terracotta sculpture museum in the village of Akdeniz is one of the most unusual attractions in Northern Cyprus. It brings together dozens of contemporary terracotta statues created based on ancient archaeological finds discovered on the island. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibition is constantly being expanded with new works.
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Museum history
The museum appeared in the village of Akdeniz after the International Terracotta Symposium (Akdeniz International Terracotta Symposium) was held. Since 2017, artists and sculptors from different countries have been creating works here from fired clay, inspired by the ancient history of Cyprus. After each symposium ends, the sculptures remain in the village, gradually forming an open-air museum.
Today, the exhibition includes dozens of works by different authors and continues to grow with new pieces.
Why terracotta
The choice of material is connected to one of the most famous archaeological discoveries in Cyprus. In the early 20th century, Swedish archaeologists discovered about two thousand terracotta statues and figurines near the ancient sanctuary of Aya İrini, located not far from Akdeniz, dating from the 8th to 6th centuries BC.
Most of the original finds are now kept in the Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm, while some exhibits are in the Cyprus Museum. The contemporary sculptures in Akdeniz are not copies of the archaeological finds; rather, they are artistic interpretations of ancient art.
The sanctuary of Aya İrini and the excavation site
The sanctuary of Aya İrini was located near the modern village of Akdeniz, a few kilometers from the coast of Morphou Bay. For more than a thousand years, it served as an important religious center of ancient Cyprus and was presumably used by residents of several neighboring city-states not only for rituals, but also as a place for meetings and public gatherings. Despite the thousands of terracotta votive offerings found, archaeologists have still not been able to determine exactly which deity the sanctuary was dedicated to. Today, the excavation area is located in a closed military zone and is not accessible to visitors. Nearby stands the small Agia Eirini Chapel, which has preserved the historical name of the area.
What you can see today
The exhibition is located in the open air and occupies an area in the center of the village. It features dozens of terracotta figures of people, warriors, musicians, mythological characters, and animals, made in different artistic styles.
During a walk, you can see both small sculptures less than a meter high and large compositions several meters tall. Thanks to the museum being outdoors, visitors can freely view the exhibits and take photos next to them.
Besides the museum itself, the village of Akdeniz is known for its proximity to the archaeological site of Aya İrini, which is considered one of the most important ancient sanctuaries in Cyprus.
How to get there
The museum is located in the village of Akdeniz, not far from Güzelyurt, in the northwest of Northern Cyprus. You can explore the exhibition independently, combining the trip with a visit to the surrounding peninsula and other attractions in the region. There is also a small indoor museum on site. It is open on weekdays, but visits are often possible only by prior phone call.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the museum?
The open-air exhibition is open to the public, and admission is free.
Are these ancient statues?
No. All the sculptures on display were created by contemporary artists during the International Terracotta Symposium. They were inspired by ancient finds from the sanctuary of Aya İrini.
Why is the museum located in Akdeniz?
The village is located near the place where the famous terracotta statues of Aya İrini were discovered, which is why it was chosen as the site for creating the museum.
How long does the visit take?
Exploring the exhibition usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the pace of your walk and how much time you plan to spend taking photos.
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