The Cypriot Parliament has approved amendments providing for free entry to 12 museums under the jurisdiction of the Department of Antiquities. Additionally, nine ancient monuments have been approved for use as sites for civil wedding events and ceremonies. Transport, Communications and Public Works Minister Yiannis Karousos welcomed the approval of the amendments.
As part of its “Museums for all” policy, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Public Works has promoted the free admission measure in the 12 museums. The goal of the “Museums for All” project is to increase the number of people visiting museums.
Karousos said in a written statement that this policy gives everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, the opportunity to visit these museums and learn about the country’s cultural heritage.
“Our aim is to promote our museums to tourism stakeholders, hoping that they will include them in their tourism packages. This, in turn, will boost tourist visits, which will hopefully attract more visitors from around the world. .” said Karousos.
The abolition of the entrance fee concerns the following museums:
Cyprus Museum – Nicosia
Ethnological Museum – Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios House – Nicosia
Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Goldsmithing – Lefkara
Ethnological Museum of Fikardou
Larnaca District Archaeological Museum
Limassol District Archaeological Museum
Paphos District Archaeological Museum
Local Archaeological Museum of Kourion – Episkopi
Local Archaeological Museum of Marion-Arsinois – Polis Chrysochous
Local Archaeological Museum of Ancient Idalion
Yeroskipou Folk Art Museum
Cyprus Railway Museum – Evrychou
Regarding the use of ancient monuments, museums and castles in Cyprus for civil wedding ceremonies, an official request must be submitted to the Department of Antiquities via the relevant municipality at least one month before the date of the event.
The price for using these places will be from 1000 to 1500 euros and the maximum number of people who can attend is 30.
Throwing flowers or rice or ‘confetti’ as well as fireworks will not be allowed.
The list of monuments includes the medieval castle of Larnaca and the old building of the municipality of Nicosia, as well as the Cyprus Railway Museum in Evrychou and the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Goldsmithing in Lefkara.
Karousos said that foreign visitors are increasingly interested in having their weddings in such venues and that their use for this purpose, under strict restrictions that protect their historical value, will generate publicity with regard to cultural heritage. of Cyprus abroad.
