The new Archaeological Museum of Cyprus is expected to open in the second half of 2029, the House Audit Committee heard during a briefing at the construction site on Thursday.
The Committee went on site to see the progress at the Archaeological Museum, joined by Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou, the Director of the Public Works Department and representatives of the contracting companies Cyfield Construction Ltd and Iacovou Brothers (Constructions) Ltd.
Project coordinator Eva Iordanou said: “This is a project of particular architecture and a high degree of difficulty, which requires the use of specialized materials from abroad.”
Regarding the timetable, Cyfield’s Kyriakos Chrysochoos said the project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2027, noting that “we are not far from the reasonable times”.
“This is a historic project of which we are proud,” he added.
Unique project
The competent services clarified that, after project delivery, a period of approximately 18 months will be required for the transport and installation of the exhibits by the Department of Antiquities, which postpones the effective operation of the Museum to 2029.
Following the tour, Kassianidou emphasised the unique nature of the project, highlighting that beyond the musuem, the entire area is being created “so the citizens of Nicosia will also be given a very nice park, a public garden".
Regarding the old Archaeological Museum, Kassianidou said as a listed monument, it will be preserved so that it can be used for other exhibitions or periods that will not be covered by the new Museum. She also clarified that the new Museum will house exhibits from ancient prehistory to the Roman period.
Work on the new Museum began on January 9, 2023, with an initial completion date of July 2026.
According to the Department of Public Works, the Museum, with a total area of approximately 30,000 square metres (including basements), is being built on a plot of 40,000 sq m. It will include permanent exhibition spaces of 5,500 sq m, with approximately 6,500 antiquities, temporary exhibition spaces of 1,000 sq m, educational programme spaces, conservation workshops of 2,000 sq m, antiquities warehouses of 5,000 sq m, underground parking spaces, as well as a restaurant, cafeteria, library, amphitheatre, offices and a shop. There are also plans for extensive landscaping in the external spaces, with the creation of a public square and fountain. The project will consist of three buildings that will be connected to each other by bridges.
Source: CNA