The Sea and Culture Museum in the village of Latsi, Cyprus, reconnects the local community with its maritime heritage. Set in a restored warehouse, this EU-funded project has turned an abandoned building into a cultural and educational space, featuring exhibits on local fishers, sailors, and coastal life. Digital technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality help create immersive experiences for visitors.
The museum now operates year-round, attracting visitors and supporting sustainable tourism in the area.
Revitalising Latsi’s maritime heritage
Latsi is a scenic fishing village on the northwest coast of sunny island of Cyprus. Like many small fishing villages in Cyprus, it was lively in summer, when tourists arrived in large numbers, but much quieter during the rest of the year. However, the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous and the Paphos Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) had other plans for this beautiful place with a long and rich maritime tradition. Their idea was to reconnect the village to over 30 centuries of maritime life and history, by creating the Sea and Culture Museum.
They were able to transform this vision into reality thanks to EU funding. According to the local FLAG manager, Evgenios Savva, “Funding through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund constituted the cornerstone that made it possible to transform a strategic idea into an emblematic project of national importance.”
Preserving heritage through innovation and storytelling
The museum project places people at the heart of maritime heritage, highlighting the stories of fishers, sailors, and coastal communities shaped by the sea. Local historians, archaeologists, educators, and digital experts collaborated to design an immersive experience, blending archaeological treasures with cutting-edge digital technologies like virtual and augmented reality. Visitors can now step into the world of Mediterranean maritime life, connecting past and present through interactive exhibits.
Visitors can embark on a historical journey, exploring ancient civilisations, the region’s narrative, and the natural beauty of the Akamas peninsula through immersive installations. Each room offers a unique way to connect with Cyprus’s rich heritage in a memorable, hands-on way, including interactive maps, immersive video walls, virtual reality and augmented reality.
Creating new opportunities
The museum not only addresses the challenges of limited off-season tourism and underused coastal spaces. It also supports the diversification of the local blue economy by offering new opportunities for employment, skills development, and sustainable tourism. The museum has become a focal point for community activity, attracting students, families, and international visitors year-round.
Evgenios Savva notes,The Sea and Culture Museum is now a beacon of sustainable development, digital innovation, and community pride, proving that local determination and European cooperation can generate lasting prosperity”
Inspiring future generations
The museum has had a strong impact on young people, offering a space to learn about their heritage and connect with their roots. It also serves as a model for other small coastal communities, demonstrating how knowledge-sharing across European FLAGs can inspire innovative approaches to sustainable development.
The project has also strengthened the municipality’s capacity to manage a modern cultural site, created jobs, and contributed to regional economic growth. Ticket sales now provide a sustainable source of income, ensuring the museum’s long-term viability.
More information
Project website: Sea and Culture Museum