Nicosia, Cyprus. A 38-metre wall mural has been completed on Trikoupi street in old Nicosia, as part of an ongoing project to re-brand and rejuvenate the walled city.
Street makeover and disruption
Trikoupi street, heading north from Ochi roundabout and known for a large migrant population with Omeriye Mosque nearby, has undergone major changes. The street was closed for over a year in 2024-25 as part of a beautification process, which affected local businesses.
The entry point at Ochi remains under construction, with unfinished roadworks and pedestrians navigating around cars. Further down the street, the changes include a newly cobbled road surface, metal poles aimed at preventing parking, and more uniform shop signs, many using the same font.
Cars have been moved out of sight behind a wall in the municipal parking lot, which is now covered by the mural.
EU-funded project and questions about impact
The EU-funded makeover has changed the area’s appearance. The project has prompted questions about whether altering the look of the street leads to broader change.
Artist and commissioning details
The mural was produced in collaboration with the Nicosia Board of Tourism and Municipality of Nicosia and was commissioned to ‘Twenty Three’, a veteran street artist whose identity is generally not publicly known. The artist and his team took about six working days to complete the piece, after preparing stencils and assembling elements in advance.
‘Twenty Three’ told the Cyprus Mail that his work is not decorative and described himself as a political artist influenced by Social Realism and Diego Rivera, using street art to communicate his voice and values.
The artist said he was aware of being an outsider in the neighbourhood but felt connected because he lives in the old town and knows it well. Before starting the project, he conducted about 15 interviews with locals.
Do you think changing the look of a street can lead to meaningful change for the community?
