The opening of the archaeological exhibition entitled “Cyprus and Italy: shared cultural Identities at the Dawn of History” was held this Friday 27 February at Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome. The exhibition falls within the Cultural Programme of the 2026 Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The exhibition presents, by means of 120 rare archaeological objects, Cyprus, Sicily and Sardinia’s timeless common heritage. The exhibition was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, together with the President of the Republic of Italy, Mr Sergio Mattarella.
The inauguration was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Constantinos Kombos, and the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic Cyprus, Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, and the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Italy, Mr Alessandro Giuli, as well as officials from the Italian Government, the Italian Parliament and the European Commission and the Mayor of Rome, Mr Roberto Gualtieri.
Archaeological exhibition Cyprus and Italy Shared Cultural Identities at the Dawn of History
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Constantinos Kombos
Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, Ms Vasiliki Kassianidou
The exhibition, curated by Dr Anastasia Christophilopoulou, presents multidimensional stories of the cultural development of Cyprus and the islands of Italy over seven millennia of Mediterranean history, and will be open to the public until 30 June 2026. Of particular interest among the exhibits is an impressive ox-hide ingot from Serra Ilixi in Sardinia, made of copper from Cyprus, which travelled over two thousand kilometres to arrive in Sardinia and dates back to around 1500-1200 B.C. This exhibit demonstrates the extent of trade and technological exchange in the Bronze Age, highlighting the interconnection of Mediterranean societies and especially of Cyprus with Italy.
The joint organisation of the exhibition, by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic Italy, and Italy’s long-standing archaeological missions in Cyprus, demonstrate Cyprus’ and Italy’s common endeavours to preserve cultural heritage and furthermore, constitute another joint effort to strengthen the already strong ties between Cyprus and Italy, especially in the fields of security, defence, energy, trade, tourism and investment.
Beyond the common heritage, the exhibition reflects core EU values and the Cyprus Presidency’s cultural vision: to strengthen the Union’s internal ties by using culture as a key catalyst for promoting cohesion within the EU and by recognising that culture is the most important expression of our common European identity and the common thread that binds member states together.
