Old Nicosia General Hospital 1936-2006

Built in 1936 by architect Polyvios Michaelides it was the chief hospital of Nicosia, Cyprus. I had received special permission granted by the Cyprus government to be able to enter the building (I believe I am the only photographer who was able to do this). My client at the time was the Cyprus Architects Association, pictures of which were published in their magazine APXEIO.

I have to be honest here and say that walking through these interior spaces, it felt like a zombie apocalypse movie set as if everyone suddenly picked up what they could and left, leaving traces of their existence behind. What was once a bustling with life building was standing abandoned by its inhabitants and slowly but surely deteriorating through time.

I was quite cautious entering for the first time, whatever light coming through was from its grimy stained windows and every step felt different. No smoking and please be quiet signs still on the walls, half empty wards with an array of patient's beds, small empty medicine bottles still left in wall cabinets and surgery rooms with working and non-working medical equipment still in place. Sometimes it even felt as if I was being watched with curiosity (by those who have passed) whilst carrying my camera lens just to take a glimpse and capture a small part of its previous life.

The following images are a documentation of the past and sometimes nostalgic architecture of that era. Unfortunately the building was demolished in 2010 but the memories will remain. One may find more information online in regards to this structure. I hope I did it some justice with the little time that I had. Enjoy..