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Local Archaeological Museum of Marion-Arsinoe, Polis Chrysochous

The local Museum of Marion-Arsinoe is located in Polis tis Chysochous, about 35km. north of the town of Pafos. It was erected by the Government of Cyprus with the financial support of Nicos Shakolas for storing and exhibiting finds from the ancient city of Marion (renamed Arsinoe in the 3rd century BC), its cemeteries and the surrounding area. The Museum consists of two rooms and an atrium where architectural members are displayed.

In Room I objects are on display which originate from the extensive area around Polis and are chronologically arranged, so as to portray the area's historical development from Neolithic to Medieval times. According to ancient literary sources recorded by Stephanos Vyzantios, the city of Marion was founded by the legendary King Marieas. Based on present evidence Marion was inhabited towards the end of the Neolithic and throughout the Chalcolithic period. It began to prosper from the Cypro-Archaic period onwards and became one of the most important ancient Cypriot city-kingdoms in the Cypro-Classical period with important commercial relations with the East Aegean islands, Attica and Corinth. In 312 B.C. it was conquered by Ptolemy I and the kingdom was abolished until its reconquest by Ptolemy II Philadelphus who renamed the city after his sister and wife. The new city was smaller than Marion but it flourished due to its proximity to the copper mines. Arsinoe continued to exist in the Roman, early Christian and early Byzantine periods at which point it seems to have suffered extensive destruction by the Arab raids of the 7th century A.D. Archaeological evidence indicates that the city was also inhabited during the Medieval period.

Room II provides us with a rich collection of objects from the area's rich necropolis with special reference to the location and excavation of the above cemeteries.

Address	Archiepiskopou Makariou III Avenue, Polis Chrysochous
Telephone	26322955
Opening hours for Public Holiday opening hours see home page	Monday - Friday : 8.00-16.00 Saturday: 9.00 - 15.00 Sunday: Closed
Tickets	Free entrance
Accessibility	Entrance: Ramp Special rest rooms: available (not marked)

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