**Presidential Palace to Open Its Art and Antiquities to the Public**
For the first time, the Presidential Palace in Cyprus will welcome the public to explore its art and antiquities through a new guided visit program. This initiative, named “Presidential Palace Open to Citizens,” was announced on Wednesday and aims to enhance public access to this significant national building while promoting awareness of Cyprus's rich artistic and cultural heritage.
The program will launch on October 3, coinciding with Cyprus's Independence Day, and will feature a collection titled “Cyprus: the World, the Place, the Word, the Matter.” This exhibition will showcase a diverse array of Cypriot art and archaeological artifacts that span thousands of years, reflecting the island’s extensive history.
The initiative was launched by First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, who emphasized the importance of making the palace's collection accessible to the public. The exhibition will include notable works by esteemed Cypriot artists such as Adamantios Diamantis, Paul Georgiou, Telemachos Kanthou, and Michael Kassialos, as well as contemporary artists. The artworks are sourced from various collections, including the Presidential Palace itself, the State Collection, the Leventis Gallery, and private family collections of the artists.
In addition to the art, the exhibition will feature rare archaeological items from the Department of Antiquities. These include Cypriot figurines and sculptures dating from the fourth millennium BC to the first century BC, showcasing the island's rich archaeological heritage.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to engage with an interactive app called “Time Machine,” developed by the Cyprus Institute’s Virtual Environments Laboratory. This app connects the displayed collection to Cyprus’s recent history through archival material from the Press and Information Office, providing a deeper understanding of the cultural context surrounding the artifacts.
The first organized visit is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, with 150 spots available for individuals aged 18 and over. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Each tour, led by curators Kostas Mantzalos and Konstantinos Kounnis, will last approximately one hour. Tours will be conducted in Greek and will occur in three groups of 50, with time slots from 9 am to 10 am, 10:30 am to 11:30 am, and noon to 1 pm. Participants are required to meet in the English School car park 30 minutes prior to their scheduled tour to take a minibus to the Presidential Palace.
In addition to the public tours, a new educational program will be introduced for primary school pupils. Sixth graders will have the opportunity to visit the Presidential Palace to learn about its history and engage with Cypriot art through tailored activities. This initiative is a collaboration between the presidency, the education ministry, and the deputy culture ministry.
The educational visits will allow students to observe artworks, engage in discussions, and participate in creative tasks. Four visits will be organized each month from October 2026 to June 2027, accommodating groups of up to 25 pupils. Schools interested in participating can apply via email to the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
For those interested in the public guided tours, further details can be obtained by contacting the ministry at 22 309530 or via email at [email protected]. The next opportunity for public visits will be in May 2027, coinciding with International Museum Day.
This initiative marks a significant step towards making cultural heritage more accessible to the public and fostering a greater appreciation for Cyprus’s artistic legacy.