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All Cyprus Myrtou Mavi Köşk (The Blue House)

Mavi Köşk (The Blue House)

The eccentric midcentury home of a suspected mafia gun-runner.

Myrtou, Cyprus

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laura44v
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View of the house from the gardens.   laura44v / Atlas Obscura User
Blue bedroom.   laura44v / Atlas Obscura User
Colorful interior.   laura44v / Atlas Obscura User
The remote house.   Dickelbers/cc by-sa 3.0
  Dickelbers/cc by-sa 3.0
View from the gardens over the surrounding hills.   laura44v / Atlas Obscura User
A photo of Paolides.   laura44v / Atlas Obscura User
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About

A visit to the remote Mavi Köşk, or "The Blue House," is like stepping back in time. Built it 1957 in the middle of nowhere near the coast of Northern Cyprus, the retro-chic villa is still furnished as it was in the 1970s when the owner is rumored to have escaped capture by fleeing through a hidden tunnel behind his bed.

Now a museum, Mavi Köşk feels more like snooping around in someone's home. Though its history is a blurry mix of myth and truth, it's believed the house was built by a Paulo Paolides, a Greek Cypriot who was rumored to work for the Italian mafia smuggling guns into Cyprus, and the decor is a glimpse into the glamorous if eccentric lifestyle of the supposed mobster. 

As the name suggests, there is a clear blue theme throughout the multicolor home, with bright blue furniture, carpets, walls, and entire blue rooms. The house is full of perfectly kitsch features, such as the sunken blue "milk pool" in the living area and the iguana skin-covered drinks cabinet.

Upstairs, you can visit the balcony where Paolides would supposedly throw an apple during parties and invite whoever caught the fruit to spend the evening with him. You can also take in the spectacular view, which stretches as far as the coast of Turkey on a clear day.

Paolides lived in the Blue House until 1974 when he fled during the Turkish invasion. The Turkish army took control of the residence, which was later opened to the public as a museum. 

Related Tags

Houses Museums Color Blue Crime Secret Passages Eccentric Homes Homes

Know Before You Go

You must wear blue overshoes when visiting the Blue House, and these are provided. It is also inside a military zone, so passports will need to be left at the entrance and are returned to you when you leave. Don't forget to take your passport with you. The museum is open daily except on Mondays. There is a small fee to enter that must be paid by credit or debit card.

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laura44v

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Meg

  • Meg

Published

January 4, 2019

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Mavi Köşk (The Blue House)
Myrtou, 83C9+RX
Cyprus
35.318342, 33.0616

Nearby Places

Saint Hilarion Castle

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

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Cyprus

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Saint Hilarion Castle

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miles away

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Stories 2

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