Overview:

: The Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum in Cyprus is a museum dedicated to the study, display, and conservation of ancient shipwrecks from around the Mediterranean coast. The museum, located in the old harbor of Kyrenia, is now home to 14 of the untouched, perfectly-preserved shipwrecks from the area, the oldest of which dates back to the 4th century BC. Each of the exhibits and artifacts within the museum show off the unique and interesting maritime history of the region. The museum also houses a research facility, library, and interactive activities for visitors. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cyprus
Prominent Features:

1. It is the oldest shipwreck museum located in Cyprus. 2. It houses an impressive collection of artifacts from one of the world's oldest known shipwrecks, the Kyrenia Ship. 3. Visitors can explore a series of galleries that showcase the complex engineering of the ship with displays of the ship’s hull, tools, cargo, and other objects. 4. It is a great spot for photography, and visitors are invited to bring their cameras and capture a glimpse of ancient history. 5. It offers educational programs for adults and children to further explore the history of the Kyrenia Ship and learn more about maritime archaeology. 6. It also serves as a research facility, helping to uncover the mysteries of the Kyrenia Ship and the history of naval warfare. 7. There are also workshops and lectures offered to allow visitors to delve deeper into the subject and gain a better understanding of what they have seen in the hands-on galleries. This national monument of Cyprus portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The history of the Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum began in 1967 when a fisherman in Kyrenia, Cyprus, unknowingly discovered a 2,400-year-old shipwreck in the shallow waters near the harbor. The figurehead, a large carving of a woman’s face, was found attached to the ship and is thought to be an image of the Phoenician goddess Tanit. After bringing it to the surface, it quickly became a treasure of the Cypriot people. The Kyrenia Shipwreck has since been featured as part of the permanent collections of many international museums. Most notably is the permanent display in the British Museum in London, which houses original artifacts from the wreck. From the 1970s, plans were developed to dedicate a museum to the Kyrenia Shipwreck in Kyrenia itself, allowing the local community to learn about its history and receive its benefits. These plans were met with objections from local writers and historians, who argued that artifacts from the shipwreck should not be removed from their context in the sea bed. The museum eventually opened in 1984, after a long campaign from the Kyrenia City Council. Its design was based on the archaeological illustrations of the original wreck, with a modern exhibition space presiding over a large, circular pool filled with genuine artifacts from the shipwreck that are suspended from the water’s surface. Today, the Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum continues to be a popular tourist attraction in Cyprus, receiving thousands of visitors each year. Visitors to the museum are able to view the reconstructed figurehead and other artifacts from the shipwreck, as well as learn more about the life and culture of the ancient Cypriot people. You must visit one of these historical places in Cyprus on your Cyprus tour

Interesting facts:

1. The museum was built around the Kyrenia Shipwreck, which was discovered off the Northern coast of Cyprus in 1967. 2. It is the oldest shipwreck of its kind to have survived intact. 3. The Kyrenia Shipwreck is believed to be the remains of a Roman-era merchant ship that sunk around 400-300 BC. 4. The ship was discovered by a pair of sponge divers of the Turkish Navy in a shallow bay. 5. The shipwreck is believed to have spent over 2300 years submerged in the depths off the coast of Kyrenia. 6. The ship was excavated and photographed in 1967 by underwater archaeologists and historians. 7. The salvage of the ancient-shipwreck revealed a wealth of items onboard, including amphorae, pottery, cooking utensils and coins. 8. These artifacts are now on display at the Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum. 9. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region, attracting thousands of visitors each year. 10. In 2013, the shipwreck was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cyprus with your friends and family.