Paphos Ethnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum in Paphos was the former Folk Art Museum up until 1971 but is now home to a collection of art from the 19th and 20th centuries. This is a private Ethnographic Museum and is said to be the richest museum in all of Cyprus and this Museum in Paphos belongs to Mr. George Eliades.
Mr. Eliades has a deep interest in history, archaeology, folk art, and literature, and has been collecting his treasure for over half a century. Mr. Eliades has incorporated components of the physical and man made environment into his museum and these include natural caves, architecture dating back to 1894, a Hellenistic rock cut tomb, a kiosk, and a terebinth tree.
This private collection of items housed in the Ethnographical Museum in Paphos is dedicated to life on the island of Cyprus from Neolithic time’s right through to the present day. There is a comprehensive rural life section which features antiques, trays, basketry, irons, and sieves.
Representing Cypriot folk art you will find wood carvings, jewellery, tapestries, woven goods, pottery, embroidery, and national costumes. One of the rooms in the Ethnographical Museum is also laid out as a bedchamber with traditional Lefkara lace and clothing. In another of the rooms you will find a collection of 19th century pottery.
Upstairs in the Ethnographical Museum you will find a large selection of jewellery, pottery, coins, and fossils. Outside in a sunken garden you will find an original wood fired oven which was used to bake the bread for the village before electric ovens were invented. This wood oven is situated next to a genuine 3rd century tomb.
The Ethnographical Museum is an excellent place to see the history of the lives of the people of the area of Paphos from ancient time’s right through to modern day. During your visit you will get to view rural costumes, traditional carved wooden furniture, farming tools, woven articles, kitchen utensils, and clay artefacts. It’s an excellent way to spend the day and a great way to learn about the area too. The Ethnographical Museum is open daily including Sundays.