Thalassa Museum is the place to go on a hot summer day in Ayia Napa, it is perfect for a winter rainy day or if you simply want to see more about Cyprus past.
Did you knew that, when you’re in Cyprus, you’re walking on the elephants and hippopotamus footsteps? Now, don’t picture the big African wild animals, but a smaller version of both of them.
And you can see a reproduction of these beautiful animals at Thalassa museum, in the heart of famous Ayia Napa.
When you go there for a visit, don’t forget to say hello to the whale hanging from the ceiling, at the entrance.
The big boat – Kyrenia II
The star of the museum is the big boat called Kyrenia II. This beauty is a replica of the original boat discovered in 1967 at a depth of 52 meters off the port of Kyrenia. And you will find this beauty it in the middle of the museum.
It was established that the ship sank in 302 BC and the original is displayed in a large hall of the Crusader’s Castle, in Kyrenia, in the occupied territories.
When it was found, the cargo had 404 wine and oil amphorae, almonds and scrap iron.
Details about it HERE
Check out the hippos and the elephants in Ayia Napa
You will find them at the basement. Both the elephants and the hippopotamus used to live on the island some ten of thousands of years ago. Not in the same time though.
First we had the elephants, then they went extinct, then we had the hippopotamus. Proofs of their existence were found in Paphos area, where there were many fossil footprints. Then, a small elephant skull was found in Xylofagou, between Larnaca and Ayia Napa.
And this one is 75.000 years old and you can see it at the museum in Ayia Napa.
At the archaeological site from Ayia Napa they also found proof of the existence of the elephants and hippopotamus on the island. And that means that back in the days, these animals were watching the sunset at Love Bridge and climbing the hill at Cape Greco maybe.
📌The Cypriot hippo would have been 1,5 m long and 0,75 m tal.
What else you can see at Thalassa Museum
You can find also a sarcophagus discovered at the graveyard from Makronissos Beach, in Ayia Napa. And you can check out the cemetery here 👉 Makronissos, the ancient cemetery with a sea view
The skeleton you will see in that part of the museum is just for décor, and it seems it doesn’t have a special history.
Also, you can see many clay pots and other old objects discovered on the island.
Marine life of Cyprus
Make sure you will not miss the basement of the museum, where you can see up close the birds of Cyprus, its seal, turtles, and a nice collection of shells.
Take a quick look at the collection HERE
All together, I have spent more than 2 hours admiring and reading the stories of the objects exposed there. I think it would be fun for you and for kids, if you want to spend some time away from the sun or the rain, depending on the season you are here.
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