Kyriazis Medical Museum

In the center of Larnaca, somewhat hidden off a side street, lies the Kyriazis Medical Museum. Though small and unassuming, it offers a fascinating glimpse into what doctors, nurses, and patients had to work with in the days before modern medicine, from antiquity up to the 20th century.

The museum displays a unique collection of treasures including old equipment, curious contraptions, and odd pieces of medical history.

Some highlights include stone dildos (“phallic items”) from ancient Kition; illustrated documents containing medial poems and curses; an OBGYN bench reportedly used by over half of Larnaca’s original population; and a replica of the Hippocratic Ladder, a wooden ladder used to treat dislocations of the hip or of the neck.

The museum was founded in 2011 by Marios Kyriazis, a private collector who inherited many of these artifacts from his grandfather and great-grandfather. Aside from the museum’s permanent exhibition, it also hosts cultural events, public lectures, and all sorts of activities revolving around medical interests. 

The museum also has a lovely outdoor garden where healing herbs such as lavender, basil, sage and melissa are planted and health drinks are served.