This museum belongs to the Cyprus Department of Antiquities and is also known as “Hadjismith House.” It is located in an old 18th-century mansion that once belonged to a wealthy and highly educated man – a representative of the British consulate in Cyprus, Andreas Zimbolakis. The owner was often visited by his friend – the British admiral Sir Sidney Smith, who once made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Because of this, he was nicknamed “Hadjismith,” that is, “Pilgrim Smith” (“hadji” translates as “pilgrim”).
In 1974, a museum was opened in this house, bringing together the most striking objects of everyday folk life and creativity from the past 200 years. From them, one can judge how the local residents lived, what they did, and what they found solace in. Some halls are even specially arranged to look like rooms in an ordinary village house. Most of the exhibits are devoted to the city of Paphos, since many residents there have still preserved the way of life of their ancestors. It seems as though time has stood still there.
The Municipal Museum of Folk Art is located three kilometers from Paphos, in the village of Geroskipou. Please note the museum's opening hours - it closes early for siesta.
