A floating piece of Cypriot history: the Lambousa museum

Preparation for the Lambοusa vessel’s first trip after its full restoration
©Limassol Municipality

Lambousa is a vessel like no other: it provides a glimpse into the rich nautical past of Cyprus. Once an old wooden fishing trawler, it has been restored and transformed into a floating museum thanks to EU funding. The old trawler is now a showcase of the fishing heritage, culture and traditions of the Mediterranean island.

A trawler transformed

First built in 1955, the Lambousa fished in the Eastern mediterranean for 50 years. By the end of its career, it was one of the last traditional fishing boats of its kind in Cyprus.

In 2005, with its fishing days behind it, the Lambousa was withdrawn from service and given to the municipality of Limassol. Rather than scrapping the vessel, the municipality embarked on a project to restore the Lambousa to its original state and preserve this symbol of maritime heritage.

However, instead of limiting itself at restoration, the municipality brought together a team to transform the old fishing trawler into a floating fishing museum, to celebrate the rich fishing heritage of Cyprus. The municipality was able to use the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for this purpose.

A floating museum

Onboard the Lambousa, visitors can see the fishing gear that has been accurately restored, to reflect the onboard reality from the Lambousa’s working years, and understand the techniques and tools used by local fishers.

As explained by Katerina Loukaidou from the Limassol municipality, 'the Lambousa symbolises the transition from the past to the present, giving the opportunity to promote the fishing tradition in Cyprus and in the Mediterranean region in general.'

View of Lambousa vessel at Limassol Old Port
©Limassol Municipality

Preserving heritage for the future

The Lambousa has been a fixture of Cyprus for many years and provides insight into the relationship between Cypriot culture and its marine environment, and ultimately how fishing has shaped Cyprus's cultural identity and traditions.

The vessel has also played a role in different European projects, aiming to reconstruct its history, gather valuable information and ensure that its cultural heritage lives on, both physically and digitally. University students have further contributed to this effort by creating an eBook and interactive digital platform that delve into the ship's story and the restoration process.

For now, from its mooring at a jetty in Limassol, the Lambousa and the team behind it are focused on preserving knowledge and history, and making it available to all visitors, both Cypriot and international. The future of the museum may extend to training in traditional fishing methods, to ensure their preservation beyond education and awareness.