Olympic Museum in Nicosia: Sports History and Rare Olympic Exhibits

The Cyprus Olympic Museum in Nicosia — the only museum in the Republic of Cyprus entirely dedicated to the Olympic movement and the country’s sports history. It houses hundreds of exhibits: Olympic torches, historic medals, sports uniforms, posters, mascots, archival photographs and personal belongings of famous Cypriot athletes.

The museum is located in Olympic House in Strovolos. It can easily be included in a Nicosia itinerary together with the Cyprus Handicraft Centre, Acropolis Park, the Cyprus Archaeological Museum and the city’s historic centre.

• History of the museum
• What you can see
• Pavlos Kontides and the first Olympic medal
• Stelios Kyriakides and the Boston Marathon
• Thematic sections
• What a visit is like
• What to see nearby
• How to plan a one-day itinerary
• Frequently asked questions

History of the Cyprus Olympic Museum

The idea of creating the museum emerged in the early 1980s. During a visit to Cyprus, International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch proposed creating a national collection dedicated to the Olympic movement and the achievements of Cypriot athletes.

The museum opened on 30 March 1987, at the same time as the National Olympic Academy of Cyprus was established. Initially, the collection was housed in another building in Nicosia.

Later, the exhibition was moved to Olympic House, where the Cyprus Olympic Committee is based. The collection gradually expanded and now occupies several rooms in the building.

What you can see in the museum

The collection includes more than 400 exhibits connected with the Olympic Games, international sporting competitions and the sports history of the Republic of Cyprus.

• sports uniforms worn by Cypriot Olympians;
• Olympic torches from different years;
• historic and commemorative medals;
• official Olympic Games posters;
• Olympic mascots;
• athletes’ accreditations;
• Olympic pins;
• archival photographs and documents;
• sports equipment belonging to famous athletes;
• a collection of Olympic postage stamps.

1896 Olympic Games medal

Among the oldest objects is a commemorative medal from the first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens in 1896.

Zappas Olympics medal

The collection features a rare object connected with the 4th Zappas Olympics of 1888. Exhibits like this show how sporting culture developed long before the modern Olympic Games took their present-day form.

Olympic stamps

A separate part of the exhibition consists of a collection of official postage stamps dedicated to the Olympic Games. It covers the period from 1896 to 1964.

Pavlos Kontides and the first Olympic medal of the Republic of Cyprus

One of the museum’s central sections is dedicated to sailor Pavlos Kontides. At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, he won a silver medal in the Laser class and became the first athlete representing the Republic of Cyprus to reach the Olympic podium.

The museum preserves the sports uniform Kontides wore at the Olympics, as well as photographs and other memorabilia connected with this event.

This part of the collection has particular importance for the history of Cypriot sport: Kontides’ victory was the first Olympic medal won by the Republic of Cyprus.

Stelios Kyriakides and the Boston Marathon

A separate exhibition is dedicated to the famous Cypriot marathon runner Stelios Kyriakides. In 1946, he won the Boston Marathon and became one of the best-known Cypriot athletes of the 20th century.

The museum displays his sports uniform, shoes, photographs and memorabilia. The exhibits include items directly connected with the historic race in Boston.

The Kyriakides collection is particularly interesting because it presents sports history through an athlete’s personal belongings, rather than only through documents and statistics.

Thematic sections

The museum tells the story not only of the Olympic Games. The exhibition covers the participation of athletes from the Republic of Cyprus in various international competitions.

• Olympic Games — the Olympic history and achievements of Cypriot athletes.
• Games of the Small States of Europe — medals, equipment and materials connected with the participation of the Republic of Cyprus.
• Mediterranean Games — the history of the country’s athletes competing in regional events.
• Commonwealth Games — uniforms, awards and memorabilia from different years.

Personal belongings of athletes

One of the distinctive features of the Cyprus Olympic Museum is that a significant part of the collection was donated by the athletes themselves or by their families.

As a result, visitors can see not only official Olympic souvenirs but also real items used during training and competitions.

This type of exhibition makes the history of Cypriot sport more personal and allows visitors to trace the journeys of individual athletes from national competitions to the largest international tournaments.

Olympic torches, posters and mascots

The collection of Olympic torches, official posters, mascots, pins and accreditations is of particular interest.

These objects show how the design and symbolism of the Olympic Games changed over the years. For children, this part of the museum is often one of the most interesting thanks to the colourful mascots and unusual designs of sporting souvenirs.

What a visit is like

The museum is located in Olympic House in Strovolos, in the Nicosia area. It can be visited independently or as part of an organised group.

Guided tours may be available for school and other organised groups by prior arrangement. It is recommended to check the current opening hours and visiting conditions directly before travelling, as the schedule may change.

The museum is relatively small, so it is convenient to include it in a programme lasting several hours together with other Nicosia attractions.

Who will find it interesting

• families with children;
• athletes and coaches;
• school groups;
• fans of Olympic Games history;
• collectors of sporting memorabilia;
• those interested in the modern history of the Republic of Cyprus.
  
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What to see nearby

Cyprus Handicraft Centre

Located not far from Olympic House, the Cyprus Handicraft Centre is a place where visitors can discover traditional pottery, weaving, embroidery, wood carving and other island crafts. It is a good option for continuing a cultural programme after the museum.
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Acropolis Park

This large urban park in Strovolos is suitable for a walk after visiting the museum exhibition. It has green areas, walking paths, children’s playgrounds and places to relax. Combining these two locations is especially convenient when travelling with children.
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Pedieos River Linear Park

A walking and cycling path runs along the riverbed of the Pedieos through Strovolos. The route offers a break from the urban environment and an opportunity to walk through one of the longest green areas in Nicosia.
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Cyprus Archaeological Museum

If you would like to continue with a museum-focused day, the Cyprus Archaeological Museum can be the next stop. It houses the main archaeological collection of the Republic of Cyprus, ranging from the prehistoric period to antiquity.
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Nicosia Old Town

After visiting the museums, you can head to the historic centre of Nicosia. It is home to old neighbourhoods, Ledra Street, small museums, cafés and traditional workshops. It is worth allowing several hours for a walk around the centre.

Shacolas Tower

The observation deck at Shacolas Tower offers views of Nicosia from above. It is convenient to leave it until the end of a walk around the Old Town, especially towards the evening.
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How to combine the museum with other places

Half-day itinerary

For a short trip, you can choose the following sequence: the Cyprus Olympic Museum, the Cyprus Handicraft Centre and a walk through Acropolis Park. This itinerary requires almost no long transfers and is suitable for a family with children.

Full-day itinerary

If you have a full day, after the Olympic Museum you can visit the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, then walk around the Old Town and finish the itinerary at the observation deck of Shacolas Tower.

Why visit the museum

The Cyprus Olympic Museum differs from Nicosia’s classical archaeological museums. Here, the history of the Republic of Cyprus is revealed through sport, the Olympic Games and the lives of individual athletes.

It is particularly suitable for those who are already familiar with the ancient history of the island and want to see another side of the country — its modern sporting culture, the achievements of its Olympians and rare personal exhibits.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Cyprus Olympic Museum located?

The museum is located in Olympic House in Strovolos, in the Nicosia area.

How many exhibits are in the museum?

The collection includes more than 400 sporting relics, documents and memorabilia and continues to grow.

Are there exhibits belonging to Pavlos Kontides?

Yes. The museum displays his uniform and memorabilia connected with his silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Are there items belonging to Stelios Kyriakides?

Yes. The exhibition includes the sports uniform, shoes, photographs and other items belonging to the famous Cypriot marathon runner.

Can children visit the museum?

Yes. Olympic torches, sports uniforms, medals and mascots make the exhibition accessible and interesting for families.

Are guided tours available?

Guided tours for school and other organised groups may be arranged by prior agreement.

What is best to see after the museum?

If you would like to stay in the Strovolos area, it is convenient to visit the Cyprus Handicraft Centre and Acropolis Park. For a more comprehensive itinerary, you can continue the day at the Cyprus Archaeological Museum and in Nicosia Old Town.