Archaeological Museum of Chania, ΕΜΥΑ2024 Nominee

The city of Larnaca is a living palimpsest. Its rich history preserved in deep layers throughout the urban landscape. Beneath the modern city lie the echoes of ancient Gideon and medieval Larnaca. Nestled in the heart of the vibrant city, the Archaeological Museum of Larnaca celebrates the 4,000 years of history and cultural heritage connected to this ancient land. Archaeological objects dating from the pre-pottery Neolithic, that is around 8,500 BC to Roman times, unravel the long history of the city and district of Larnaca. Since its inauguration in 1969, the museum has been a guardian of Larnaca's archaeological legacy, committed to protecting and promoting the city and district's rich heritage. The advent of the museum marked a significant milestone, warmly embraced by the city. In February 2022, the building's upgrading and the re-exhibition of the permanent collection was completed and the museum reopened to the public. The exhibition's redesign incorporated elements of the 1960s features, even some of the 1960s exhibition cases were reused. Old excavation material has been revisited and recent finds from ongoing fieldwork have become accessible to the public. The museum entrance and shop open a window to views of ancient Gideon and modern-day Larnaca. The museum unfolds multiple archaeological narratives. It explores ancient crafts and technologies, showcasing the remains of the social, economic, political and artistic life of the communities of ancient Cyprus. The exhibits are deeply connected to their fine places, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to feel and appreciate the sense of place. The exhibition's archaeological illustrations were produced as a result of a close collaboration between archaeologists and artists. The modern artworks accompany the exhibits in a meaningful way, bringing to life the role and use of objects by ancient communities. They highlight the innovation and importance of ancient processes and crafts. The museum's storage and conservation spaces house a significant number of antiquities, recovered through systematic and rescue excavations by the Department of Antiquities and foreign missions active in the Larnaca district. Finds are conserved on a daily basis, with recent discoveries added to the permanent exhibition. The Larnaca Museum takes the visitor on an exciting journey back in time, on an exploration of the various cultures that have blended to form a cohesive civilization. The upgraded exhibition provides a unique European and international perspective. Visitors can witness the fusion of the numerous cultures that have all contributed towards the formation of modern-day Cyprus. Functioning as a cultural and an educational space, the Larnaca Museum strives to connect past and present, but at the same time to shape the future, fostering a society that values its heritage and learns from it.