Pancyprian Gymnasium

The Pancyprian Gymnasium (Πανκύπριον Γυμνάσιον, Pankýprion Gymnásion) is the oldest high school still operating in Cyprus, and it was founded in 1812. Over the years, it has become an important place for learning and has helped many students grow and succeed. The school has a long history and has played a big role in the education of people in Cyprus. Many important figures in Cyprus have studied there, making it a special and historic part of the country’s culture and history.

History

The Pancyprian Gymnasium is the oldest high school still open in Cyprus, founded in 1812 by Archbishop Kyprianos when Cyprus was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. It was first called the Hellenic School of Nicosia.

Later, under British rule, the school grew to include a lyceum, matching Greek high schools. This let its students go to the University of Athens. The school also started a training place for primary school teachers. Many of its students have taken part in important fights for Greece and Cyprus over the years. In 1993, the Cyprus Post office made a special stamp to honor the school's work in education.

Grounds

The Pancyprian Gymnasium is located across from the archbishopric, inside the old city walls of Nicosia. The original building was destroyed by a fire in 1920, and some parts were rebuilt in a neoclassical style. The gym areas are being updated for the 2025-2026 school year.

There is a special underground room under the main entrance where Archbishop Kyprianos may have met with important groups in the early 1800s. The school also has a large collection of old items, art, and books. The Severios Library, opened in 1949, holds more than 60,000 manuscripts. Thanks to generous gifts, the school has become very well-off and is highly respected for its education. Many important people have studied or taught there.

Notable alumni

Pancyprian Gymnasium has educated many important people over the years. Some well-known alumni include Christopher A. Pissarides, who won a Nobel Prize in economics, and several past presidents of Cyprus such as Archbishop Makarios, Glafkos Clerides, and Tassos Papadopoulos.

Other notable graduates include Georgios Grivas, who led efforts for Cyprus's independence, as well as politicians, writers, doctors, and leaders in archaeology and European government service.

Notable professors

The Pancyprian Gymnasium has had many famous teachers over the years. One well-known English teacher was Lawrence Durrell, who taught there from 1953 to 1956. Other notable professors include Konstantinos Spyridakis, a writer and former Minister of Education, and Chrysostomos I, who taught Theology from 1961 to 1966.

Other teachers have made their mark in different ways. Dimitris Lipertis was a poet who taught French from 1910 to 1912. Menelaos, Markides served as the first Curator of the Cyprus Museum. There were also teachers like Kypros Chrysanthis, a writer and doctor, as well as several artists and scholars including Adamantios Diamantis, Telemachos Kanthos, Eustathios Konstantinides, and Pavlos Xioutas.