In the heart of the picturesque village of Pedoulas, opposite the iconic church of Archangel Michael – a UNESCO World Heritage monument – stands the Byzantine Museum of Pedoulas. This museum, dedicated to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine heritage of Cyprus, has been home to invaluable treasures of religious art since 1999.
The museum's collection includes rare icons, sacred vessels, Byzantine manuscripts, and ecclesiastical books dating from the 12th to the 20th century. Among the most precious exhibits are the Panagia Hodegetria (13th century), the Panagia Eleousa (14th century), and an icon of Saint George the Dragon Slayer, depicting scenes from his life. Also noteworthy are the icons painted by the Cypriot iconographer Minas (circa 1474), who also created the interior of the Archangel Michael's church.
Apart from the icons, the museum houses silver ecclesiastical artifacts, oil lamps, censers, reliquary crosses, and an intricately decorated silver Gospel cover from 1778. The museum also boasts a small yet valuable collection of coins, including a gros of King Hugh IV of Cyprus (1324-59) and a 1570 Byzantine coin, the last minted by the Venetian rulers of the island.
The museum was established thanks to the generous sponsorship of the family of Andreas A. Ellinas and the Ministry of Education and Culture, with additional support from the Nicosia District Administration, the Pedoulas Improvement Board, the Pedoulas School Board, and the company Elysee.
The late Protopresbyter Father Charalambos Kourris played a crucial role in collecting and preserving the priceless icons and sacred relics (13th–20th centuries). This effort took place during the tenure of Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou, aiming to protect the ecclesiastical, spiritual, and artistic heritage of the region.
The museum was inaugurated by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos on June 27, 1999.
With its rich collection and unique historical significance, the Byzantine Museum of Pedoulas is an important cultural destination, allowing visitors to journey through the centuries of Cypriot Byzantine ecclesiastical art.
A souvenir shop is available at the museum.
Address: 10 Archangel Michael Street, 2850 Pedoulas, Nicosia
Phone: +357 22952629, +357 99348751
Opening Hours:
Summer hours 11:00-17:00
Winter hours 10:00-16:00
Closed on Mondays and on public holidays.