Bee & Embroidery Museum, Machairas Forest Travel Guide

Nestled in the mountainous village of Kato Drys, the Bee & Embroidery Museum provides a captivating glimpse into Cyprus's rich cultural heritage. Housed within a traditional 300-year-old stone house, this museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the island's old-world village life, traditional industries, and pastimes.The museum features over 1,000 exhibits that illustrate the daily life of villagers throughout the ages. Visitors can explore displays of old farming and household equipment, traditional furniture, and tools used for various occupations and household chores. A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to bees and local beekeeping practices, highlighting the importance of this industry to the region.In an additional neoclassic house, built in 1937, a rich collection of traditional lace and embroidery (Lefkaritika) dating back to 1880 is exhibited, alongside various heritage artifacts. There are even some old souvenirs that the owner's grandfather brought back from his trips to the UK to sell his lace, including collector's items from the coronations of King George and Queen Elizabeth.Visitors can take a guided tour and watch the making and preparation of homemade products (such as bread, dried figs and fig pies), and the production of wine and Zivania. They can also participate in seasonal activities such as olive, almond, and grape picking.