Summit participants undertake enriching visits to heritage and cultural sites in Nicosia

As part of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 held from 26 to 30 May in the capital of Cyprus, the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia co-organised enriching visits to iconic heritage and cultural sites in Nicosia. The Summit participants were given insightful tours of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia and the A. G. Leventis Gallery on 27 May, the Byzantine Museum, the Hadjigeorgakis Cornesios Mansion and the old Chrysaliniotissa Church, as well as the Cyprus Museum on 28 May.

The special visit for VIPs to the Cyprus Museum was hosted and guided by Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus, who introduced the participants to the museum’s collections and shared reflections on Cyprus’ rich archaeological heritage.

The visits to heritage and cultural sites in Nicosia provided meaningful moments of exchange between national and European cultural representatives, reinforcing the key message of the Summit: that heritage is not only a legacy of the past, but a living resource for peace, resilience and cooperation across Europe and the Mediterranean.

The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia

 Inaugurated in 1989, The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia narrates the history of the city from prehistoric times to the present day through its exceptional, rich collections. More than 10,000 objects, including maps, documents, paintings, engravings and costumes, present moments of the centuries-old history of the city and invite visitors to interact with its past.

Temporary exhibitions, guided tours, lectures, talks, evening events and educational activities are designed in such a way as to connect with the museum’s collections and the history and social development of Nicosia.

Recently, tthe museum carried out the Sector 2: Nicosia – The Green Line Project to explore the history of the city’s Green Line — the 1.5-kilometre buffer zone that cuts through the historic heart of Cyprus’ capital — through research, an exhibition and other public programmes. This remarkable project, which encourages reflection and dialogue on the divided city, is among the winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2026.

The A. G. Leventis Gallery

In 2007, the A. G. Leventis Foundation launched one of its most ambitious projects to date by announcing an architectural design competition for a building to house the A. G. Leventis Gallery in Nicosia, thus realising Anastasios G. Leventis’ vision to establish a public gallery for his private collection of art. The construction of the building began in 2011 and the new A. G. Leventis Gallery opened its doors in 2014.

The A. G. Leventis Gallery presents to the Cypriot public, for the first time in the island’s history, an extensive collection of important works of European art, as well as a collection of Greek artists and a collection of Cypriot art.

The Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum in Nicosia contains the most representative collection of Byzantine art on the island. About 230 icons dating from the 9th to the 19th centuries, as well as other typical examples of the Byzantine art of Cyprus, such as sacred vessels, vestments and books, are on display. Among the highlights of the museum are the famous 6th century mosaics torn from the church of Kanakaria in the occupied area, sold abroad and later repatriated.

The Cyprus Museum

Members of the Board of Europa Nostra and high-level representatives from European institutions visited the Cyprus Museum on the afternoon of 28 May. The visit was hosted and guided by Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus, who introduced the participants to the museum’s collections and shared reflections on Cyprus’ rich archaeological heritage. With a background in archaeology and ancient technologies, Dr Kassianidou brought her academic knowledge and experience to the visit, reflecting Cyprus’ commitment to placing heritage at the centre of cultural policy and international cooperation.

Founded in 1882, the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia is the island’s largest archaeological museum, presenting the history of Cyprus from the Neolithic period to the Early Christian era. Through its exceptional collections, the museum illustrates the island’s long-standing role as a crossroads of civilisations, where cultures, ideas and traditions have met across the Mediterranean.