Northern Nicosia municipality repaints two colonial-era post boxes red

Nicosia, Cyprus. Two post boxes in northern Nicosia’s old town have been repainted in their original red colour, the Turkish Cypriot Nicosia municipality said on Tuesday. The municipality said it plans to restore more post boxes across the old town’s northern half.

Locations of the restored post boxes

One repainted post box is on Kyrenia Street, which was pedestrianised last year. The other is on Zahra Street, atop the western side of the city’s walls.

Colonial-era origins and markings

Both post boxes were brought to Cyprus during the British colonial period and bear the cypher of King George VI, who ruled over the British Empire between 1936 and 1952.

Changes to post box colours after independence

Post boxes across the British Empire were initially red, but after Cyprus became independent in 1960, post boxes across the island were repainted yellow.

Establishment of a separate postal service

The Turkish Cypriot community created its own postal service in January 1964.

Have you seen other historic post boxes in northern Nicosia’s old town that could be restored?