The new Cyprus Museum is the biggest project in the state's budget, amounting to €144 million, a fact that proves in practice the support of the Nicos Anastasiades government for culture, Transport, Communications and Works Minister Yannis Karousos said on Wednesday.
Addressing the signing ceremony of the contract for the construction of the new Cyprus Museum, held at the existing Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, the Minister said that "today is a historic day for our country, a historic day for our culture, a historic day for our cultural heritage, as we sign the contract for the construction of the new Cyprus Museum in Nicosia."
According to a statement, Mr. Karousos referred extensively to projects implemented during President Anastasiades' tenure and added that in terms of projects for Cyprus' culture and especially antiquities, the Ministry completed the upgrading of the Paphos and Larnaca museums, the consolidation of the archaeological sites of Paphos, and is proceeding with the consolidation of the archaeological sites of Polis Chrysochous and Larnaca.
In addition, he said that the Museum of Maritime Archaeology in Larnaca is progressing, while a significant number of ancient monuments such as ancient monasteries, churches, chapels, fountains, water mills, etc. have been upgraded and restored in recent years.
Karousosos noted that the way to achieve an integrated tourist experience is to create landmarks such as the new Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, which will be the flagship of Cyprus' landmarks. "We aspire to make it the pre-eminent landmark of our country, but also one of the most important museums in Europe," the Minister said.
This, he said, is a project that, with its particular aesthetic, architectural or historical significance for a region, is a landmark, which will offer an experience to visitors and will impress them. My prediction, Karousosos said, is that it will become the number one visited attraction in Cyprus and will be the first choice for millions of tourists. It will also, he continued, attract a significant number of visitors to the capital, with significant economic, social and cultural benefits.
He noted that it is very important that it will be among the most important museums in Europe both for its unique architecture, but also for its exhibits and the experience it will offer. Nicosia, he said, with this museum will become a point of reference and evolution on the European cultural map.
At the same time, he added that the new museum, with a total area of 30,000 square meters (including basement), will be built on a plot of land, on the site of the old General Hospital, with an area of 40 square meters.000sq.m. opposite the House of Representatives and despite the existing Cyprus Museum and the Nicosia Municipal Theatre.
It will include permanent exhibition spaces of 5,500sq.m. which will house around 6,500 antiquities, temporary exhibition spaces of 1,000sq.m, 2,000 m2 of conservation workshops, underground parking, 5,000 m2 of antiquities storage, restaurant, cafeteria, library, amphitheatre, offices, shop/art shop and extensive landscaping of the exterior.
The landscaping works will include a public square with a fountain, which will mark and enhance the new, improved image of the urban centre.
The landscaping works will include a public square with a fountain, which will mark and enhance the new, improved image of the urban centre. In addition, the Minister noted that the contract also includes restoration/maintenance works of a listed building and the demolition of other existing buildings.
Mr Karousos said that the project has been awarded to the "Iacovou Cyfield (M) Joint Venture" consortium for a contract amount of €143,924,216 including VAT. Construction work on the project, he said, will begin in January 2023 and will be completed within 42 months, and the contract provides for a two-year maintenance period and a provision to negotiate a 10-year maintenance period.
It is noted that after the completion of the construction work, a period of 18 months is foreseen for the completion of the museographic work, including the transport and installation of the exhibits. Therefore, it is expected that the Museum will be handed over in 60 months.
Mr. Karousos stated that the detailed design of the project and the tender documents were prepared by the Architectural Office "Theoni Xanthi XZA Architects LLC" following an architectural competition, under the coordination of the Department of Public Works, and the design contract includes a provision for the supervision of the project. The project, the Minister continued, was bid by the Department of Public Works, which will also undertake the coordination, supervision and management of the contract.
Finally, the Minister thanked and congratulated all those involved in this successful process that led to the signing of the contracts for the construction of the new Cyprus Museum.
Source: CNA
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