Larnaca - Pierides Foundation Museum

The Pierides Foundation Museum houses a remarkable private exhibition of Cypriot antiquities, originally collected by Demetrios Pierides (1811-1895), a Cypriot scholar and archeologist, and further enriched by members of his family.

The museum was founded in 1839 in a pleasant 18th century house. It has 2,500 exhibits, which range from the Neolithic to the medieval periods.

The collection is separated into four rooms. The first contains Neolithic pottery and various representations of goddesses, along with bowls used in rituals. The bowls are decorated with depictions of birds. Room Two contains more pottery with pictures of birds and fish, as well as figurines used in religious rites. Room Three includes jugs from the site at Marion, alabaster vases and a mask on the wall. Room Four has pottery from the medieval period and a collection of glass, as well as some jewelry.

In the hall is an inscription from a grave found in Kition and three shields depicting lions and a sculpture of a flamingo. There area also some early maps of Cyprus on the walls.