Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NICOSIA (LEFKOSIA)
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History
Nicosia has always been the country's capital, mainly because the defences of the coastal
cities were so weak and prone to attack. The city's position in the centre of a plain provided
at least some protection against marauding invaders. Nicosia flourished during the Byzanti-
ne period. The Byzantines were followed by the Venetians who took command of the city
in 1489 but failed dismally in repelling the Ottomans who took control in 1570. The city
stagnated until the British arrived in 1878, which also marked the time that development
started to spread beyond the city walls.
In the 1950s violence against the British instigated by the Ethniki Organosi tou Kyp-
riakou Agona (EOKA; National Organisation for the Cypriot Struggle) saw considerable
carnage on the streets of the capital.
Further violence in the form of intercommunal disturbances between Greek Cypriots and
Turkish Cypriots in 1963 brought a de facto partition of the city. The so-called 'Green
Line' came into being at this time when the British army defined the Greek and Turkish
areas by using a simple green pen on a military map. The name has stuck to this day.
The Turkish invasion of 1974 cemented the division of the city, which has remained bi-
sected ever since, chaperoned by the watchful, but increasingly weary, eyes of UN peace-
keeping forces. In 2003 crossing the Green Line was made possible for ordinary citizens,
resulting in a number of Turkish Cypriots going to work on the southern side of the capital.
The Greek Cypriots, in turn, frequent the North's numerous casinos and head to the north-
east's wild coastline.
The opening of the Ledra St pedestrian-only crossing in April 2008 has facilitated easier
access in both directions while the Nicosia Master Plan continues to work with both sides
of the Green Line in the generally agreed assumption that one day the city will be unified
once again.
WHICH WAY NOW…?
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has a good map of the Nicosia city centre and, on the reverse side, greater
Nicosia. This map is available free from all CTO offices. The Street & Tourist Map of Nicosia, however, has better
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