Source: CNA
The Cyprus Parliament has approved amendments providing free entrance to 12 museums under the jurisdiction of the Antiquities Department. In addition, nine ancient monuments have been approved for use as sites for events and civil wedding ceremonies. Transport, Communications and Works Minister, Yiannis Karousos, welcomed the approval of the amendments.
In the framework of its 'Museums for All’ policy, the Transport, Communications and Works Ministry has promoted the measure for free entrance to the 12 museums. The aim 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, no matter what their socio-economic status, the opportunity to visit these museums and get to know the cultural heritage of the country.
"Our purpose is to promote our museums through tourist stakeholders, hoping that they include them in their tourist packages. This, in turn, will boost tourist visits, which will hopefully attract more visitors from around the world." Karousos said.
The abolition of the entrance fee concerns the following museums:
Cyprus Museum – Nicosia
Ethnological Museum – House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios – Nicosia
Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith-work – Lefkara
Ethnological Museum of Fikardou
Archaeological Museum of Larnaca District
Archaeological Museum of Limassol District
Archaeological Museum of Paphos District
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
With regards to the use of Cyprus' ancient monuments, museums and castles for civil wedding ceremonies, a formal application should be submitted to the Antiquities Department via the relevant Municipality at least one month prior to the date of the event.
The price for the use of these venues will be 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 Nicosia Municipality building, as well as the Cyprus Railway Museum in Evrychou and the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith in Lefkara.
Karousos said that there is increasing interest from foreign visitors to organize their weddings in such venues and their use for this purpose, under strict restrictions which protect their historic value, will generate publicity as regards Cyprus' cultural heritage abroad
