Description of the attraction
The Museum of the Mycenaean Colonization of Cyprus is located a few kilometers north of the city of Paphos on a small peninsula called Maa Paleokastro, which divides Coral Bay (Coral Bay) in two. The first archaeological excavations were carried out there back in 1952. Archaeologists began to study this place more thoroughly only in 1979 - large-scale excavations lasted until 1985. It was then that the remains of an ancient settlement were discovered, which, according to historians, arose in the 12th century BC. It was a colony of Mycenaean Greeks who took refuge in Cyprus after the fall of the Mycenaean kingdom. The settlement was first destroyed by pirates around 1175 BC, after which it was rebuilt. The inhabitants finally left this place around 1150 BC.
The museum itself was built in 1989 by the Italian architect, professor at the University of Turin, Andrea Bruno. The building has an unusual design and is a kind of bunker, from a distance resembling a landing flying saucer. Funds for the construction of the museum were allocated by the Leventis Charitable Foundation. Initially, it was planned that this place would become a "Museum of Nothing" - according to Bruno's plan, the room was supposed to remain empty, being just a reminder of the events of past years. However, later it was decided to organize a small exposition there.
Now the museum contains a small collection of items, mostly well-made copies that tell about the history of the Greek settlement of the island. In addition, there are documents and photographs that tell about the very process of excavation.
