The Ethnographic Museum, Paphos

Housed in a two-storey building of 1894, the Ethnographic Museum is one of the most remarkable examples of the late 19th century urban architecture in Paphos.

Since the founding of the museum in 1958, it has been visited by several thousands of visitors from every corner of Europe, the United States and Canada, South America, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Inside you can see the beautiful study belonging to the founder of the museum, George Eliades. The study is full of books. You can almost imagine him sitting there reading and researching. His photograph hangs in the entrance looking over those who visit this timeless gem in the centre of Paphos. Time has in essence stood still in this building, full of coins and old notes, Byzantine jewellery and other important artifacts of Cypriot history.

 George Eliades' wife, Chryso tells me about her husband, now twelve years since his death, a man who loved this island dearly and did everything to preserve its history and culture. As well as being the founder of this museum George Eliades was also honorary curator of the Paphos Archaeological Museum. Born in Paphos, he married Chryso Antoniadou and they had two children. A cosmopolitan who spoke seven languages fluently, George Eliades studied Ancient and Modern Greek Literature and Archaeology at the University of Athens. He received scholarships from the British Embassy to study in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. He also studied in France courtesy of the French Embassy. Returning to Paphos he enjoyed teaching at Paphos First Lyceum. He was also heavily involved in many archaeological excavations in and around Paphos. For his work, he was honored by the Greek Academy of Athens, the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Mayor of Paphos. For his excavation work, he received an award by the Polish Archaeological Mission, which for decades has been excavating archaeological sites in Kato Paphos.

In his own words, George Eliades said about his museum that ' It should make the visitor aware of the spirit of historical tradition, the soul and essence of Cypriot civilization. Like a cultural centre, a haven of learning and knowledge, a museum of this kind should challenge not just those seriously involved in History, Art and the traditional products of Cypriot culture, but awaken the interest of every visitor.'
For more details about the museum, you can visit their website www.ethnographicmuseum.com