View source for Place:Nicosia

{{short description|Capital of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus (de facto)}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Nicosia
| native_name        = {{nobold|{{native name|el|Λευκωσία|italics=off}}<br />{{native name|tr|Lefkoşa}}}}
| settlement_type    = Capital city
| image_skyline      = Nicosia Collage.png
| imagesize          = 300px
| image_caption      = From upper left: Nicosia city skyline, Ledra Street at night, courtyard of Nicosian houses, Venetian walls of Nicosia, a Nicosian door in the old town, the Buyuk Han, a quiet neighbourhood in the old town, Venetian houses, Nicosia Christmas fair, Makariou Avenue at night
| image_flag         = Flag of Nicosia.svg
| image_seal         = 
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Nicosia.jpg
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = 300px
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Location of Nicosia in Cyprus
| pushpin_map        = Cyprus#European_Union#Mediterranean east#Asia
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|10|21|N|33|21|54|E|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Claimed&nbsp;by
| subdivision_name   = {{plainlist|
*{{flagicon|Cyprus}} Republic of Cyprus (internationally&nbsp;recognised)
*{{flagicon|North Cyprus}} [[Place:Northern Cyprus|Northern Cyprus]] (the&nbsp;[[Place:North Nicosia|northern&nbsp;part]],&nbsp;recognised only by [[Place:Turkey|Turkey]])}}
| subdivision_type2  = Administered&nbsp;by
| subdivision_name2  = &nbsp;
| subdivision_type3  = •South<br />•North
| subdivision_name3  = {{plainlist|
*Republic of Cyprus
*Northern Cyprus (recognised only by Turkey)}}
| subdivision_type4  = Cypriot District
| subdivision_name4  = Nicosia
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| seat_type          = 
| seat               = 
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_title1      = Mayor of Nicosia Municipality
| leader_name1       = Constantinos Yiorkadjis (Ind.)
| leader_title2      = Mayor of Nicosia Turkish Municipality
| leader_name2       = Mehmet Harmancı (TDP)
| unit_pref          = Metric
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->| area_footnotes     = 
| area_note          = 
| area_rank          = 
| area_blank2_title  = <!-- square kilometers -->
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 51.06
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_blank1_km2    = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 220
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Population – Place of Residence, 2011|url=http://www.cystat.gov.cy/mof/cystat/statistics.nsf/All/7F6BB26ED9D00A00C2257AD90055542A/$file/POP_CEN_11-POP_PLACE_RESID-EN-170414.xls?OpenElement|website=Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT)|date=17 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016191920/http://www.cystat.gov.cy/mof/cystat/statistics.nsf/All/7F6BB26ED9D00A00C2257AD90055542A/$file/POP_CEN_11-POP_PLACE_RESID-EN-170414.xls?OpenElement|archive-date=16 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devplan.org/Nufus-2011/nufus%20ikinci_.pdf|title=KKTC 2011 Nüfus ve Konut Sayımı|trans-title=TRNC 2011 Population and Housing Census|publisher=TRNC State Planning Organization|date=6 August 2013|language=tr|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-date=6 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106001538/http://www.devplan.org/Nufus-2011/nufus%20ikinci_.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_total   = {{plainlist|
*South: 55,014
*North: 61,378}}|
| population_urban   = {{plainlist|
*South: 244,200
*North: 82,539}}
| population_as_of   = 2016
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Nicosian
| population_note    = {{efn|name=Population|South Nicosia's urban area includes the municipalities of Nicosia (south), Agios Dometios, Egkomi, Strovolos, Aglantzia, Lakatameia, Anthoupolis, Latsia and Yeri. The north's includes [[Place:North Nicosia|North Nicosia]], Gönyeli, Gerolakkos and Kanli.}}
| timezone1          = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset1        = +2
| timezone1_DST      = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +3
| postal_code_type   = Post code
| postal_code        = 1010–1107
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = +357 22
| iso_code           = CY-01
| website            = {{ubl|(Republic of Cyprus website-south) {{URL|www.nicosia.org.cy}}|(Northern Cypriot website-north) {{URL|www.lefkosabelediyesi.org}}}}
| footnotes          = 
| official_name      = 
}}

'''Nicosia''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|n|ɪ|k|ə|ˈ|s|iː|ə}} {{respell|NIK|ə|SEE|ə}}; {{lang-el|Λευκωσία|Lefkosía}} {{IPA-el|lefkoˈsi.a|}}; {{lang-tr|Lefkoşa}} {{IPA-tr|lefˈkoʃa|}}; {{lang-hy|Նիկոսիա|Nikosia}}; Cypriot Arabic: {{lang|acy-Latn|Nikusiya}}<ref>{{Cite book|last2=Stanley|last1=Dumper |first2=Bruce E.|first1=Michael|title=Cities of the Middle East and North Africa : a historical encyclopedia|date=2007|publisher=ABC CLIO |isbn=978-1-57607-919-5|pages=275|oclc=912609090}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Borg|first1=Alexander|title=Phonologies of Asia and Africa: (including the Caucasus) |date=1997|publisher=Eisenbrauns|first2=Alan S.|last2=Kaye |first3=Peter T.|last3=Daniels|isbn=978-1-57506-507-6|location=Winona Lake, IN|pages=228|oclc=605125544}}</ref>) is the divided capital city of the Republic of Cyprus and the ''de facto'' [[Place:Northern Cyprus|Northern Cyprus]].

Nicosia is the southeasternmost of all EU member states' capitals. It has been continuously inhabited for over 4,500 years and has been the capital of Cyprus since the 10th century. The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities of Nicosia segregated into the south and north of the city respectively in early 1964, following the fighting of the [[Social:Bloody Christmas (1963)|Cyprus crisis of 1963–64]] that broke out in the city. This separation became a militarised border between the Republic of Cyprus and [[Place:Northern Cyprus|Northern Cyprus]] after [[Place:Turkey|Turkey]] invaded the island in 1974 following an attempt at ''Enosis''.

Apart from its legislative and administrative functions, Nicosia has established itself as the island's financial capital and its main international business centre.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kempen|first1=Ronald van|last2=Vermeulen|first2=Marcel|last3=Baan|first3=Ad|title=Urban Issues and Urban Policies in the New EU Countries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FHou6czhjqwC&pg=PA207|year=2005|publisher=Ashgate|isbn=978-0-7546-4511-5|page=207}}</ref> In 2018, Nicosia was the 32nd richest city in the world in relative purchasing power.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ubs.com/microsites/prices-earnings/en/cities/nicosia/?year=2018|title=World's richest cities by purchasing power|date=2018|publisher=UBS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803125832/https://www.ubs.com/microsites/prices-earnings/en/cities/nicosia/?year%3D2018|archive-date=2018-08-03|url-status=dead|access-date=30 May 2018}}</ref>

== Toponymy ==
The earliest mention of Nicosia is in the clay prism of the Assyrian king Esarhaddon in 672 BC. This is a mention to the city-state of Ledra located on the site of Nicosia, and the city is named "Lidir". The name Ledra and variations (such as Ledroi) remained in use as late as 392 AD, when it was used in writing by Saint Jerome. However, that text also refers the city as "Leucotheon", and early Christian sources of this period are the first to use similar variations of the name Lefkosia (e.g. Leuteonos).<ref name="which is abut 58 secs long demetrios4">{{cite book |last1=Michaelides|first1=Demetrios|last2=Pilides|first2=Despina|editor1-last=Michaelides |editor1-first=D. |title=Historic Nicosia |date=2012 |publisher=Rimal Publications |location=Nicosia |pages=4–8|chapter=Nicosia from the Beginnings to the Roman Ledroi}}</ref> The origin of the name "Lefkosia" is considered by scholars to be a "toponymic puzzle". The name is recorded in the majority of Byzantine sources as "Leukousia", and it is accepted in literature that the name "most probably" derives from the Greek phrase "leuke ousia" ("white estate").<ref>{{cite book |last1=Papacostas |first1=Tasos |editor1-last=Michaelides |editor1-first=D. |title=Historic Nicosia |date=2012 |publisher=Rimal Publications |location=Nicosia |pages=87–88|chapter=Byzantine Nicosia: 650–1191}}</ref>

==History==
{{For timeline}}

===Ancient times===
Nicosia has been in continuous habitation since the beginning of the [[History:Bronze Age|Bronze Age]] 2500 years BC, when the first inhabitants settled in the fertile plain of Mesaoria.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_arxaia_lefkosia.shtm |title=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy |access-date=21 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315231529/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_arxaia_lefkosia.shtm |archive-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nicosia later became a [[Earth:City-state|city-state]] known as Ledra or Ledrae, one of the twelve kingdoms of ancient Cyprus built by Achaeans after the end of the Trojan War. {{Citation needed|date=October 2011}} Remains of old Ledra today can be found in the Ayia Paraskevi hill in the south east of the city. Only one king of Ledra is known: Onasagoras. The kingdom of Ledra was destroyed early. Under Assyrian rule of Cyprus, Onasagoras was recorded as paying tribute to Esarhaddon of [[Place:Assyria|Assyria]] in 672 BC. 

By 330 BC, Ledra was recorded to be a small unimportant town.<ref>World and its Peoples: Greece and the Eastern Balkans. Marshall Cavendish, 2010.</ref> It is thought that the settlement was economically and politically dependent on the nearby town of Chytri.<ref>Michaelides and Pallides 2012, p. 52.</ref> The main activity of the town inhabitants was farming. During this era, Ledra did not have the huge growth that the other Cypriot coastal towns had, which was primarily based on trade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_lidras.shtm |title=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307153813/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_lidras.shtm |archive-date=7 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Ancient and Medieval Roman times===
In Byzantine times, the town was also referred to as {{lang|grc-x-byzant|Λευκωσία}} ({{transliteration|grc|Lefkosia}}) or as {{lang|grc-x-byzant|Καλληνίκησις}} ({{transliteration|grc|Kallenikesis}}). In the 4th century AD, the town became the seat of bishopric, with bishop Saint Tryphillius (Trifillios), a student of Saint Spyridon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saintsoftheday108.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-13-saint-tryphillius-trifillios-of.html |title=Saint Tryphillius |publisher=Saintsoftheday108.blogspot.com |access-date=10 March 2012}}</ref> Archaeological evidence indicates that the town regained much of its earlier significance in the early Christian period,<ref name="which is abut 58 secs long demetrios4" /> and the presence of two or three [[Religion:Basilica|basilica]]s with ''opus sectile'' decorations, along with marbles decorated with high relief indicate the presence of a relatively prosperous and sophisticated Christian society.<ref>Demetrios and Pallides, p. 59.</ref>

After the destruction of Salamis, the existing capital of Cyprus, by Arab raids in 647, along with extensive damage to other coastal settlements, the economy of the island became much more inward-looking and inland towns gained relative significance. Nicosia benefited from this and functioned as an outlet of the agricultural products from its hinterland, the Mesaoria plain. It further was at an advantageous position due to its ample water supply. As such, the town developed enough for the [[Place:Byzantine Empire|Byzantine Empire]] to choose Nicosia as the capital of the island around 965, when Cyprus rejoined the [[Place:Byzantine Empire|Byzantine Empire]].<ref>Papacostas 2012, p. 103.</ref> The Byzantines moved the island's administration seat to Nicosia primarily for security reasons as coastal towns were often suffering from raids. From that point on it has remained as the capital of Cyprus. Nicosia was the seat of the Byzantine governor of Cyprus; the last Byzantine governor was Isaac Komnenos, who declared himself emperor of the island and ruled the island from 1183 to 1191.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_mexri_simera.shtm |title=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305172209/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_mexri_simera.shtm |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Testimony as late as 1211 indicates that Nicosia was not a walled city at that point and thus that the Byzantines did not build a city wall, thinking that the city's inland location would be sufficient for defense purposes. The Byzantines did, however, build a relatively weak fort within the city.<ref>Papacostas 2012, pp. 83–84.</ref> The economy under Byzantine rule consisted mostly of the trading of agricultural goods, but the town also produced luxury items and metalware due to the presence of the imperial administration.<ref>Papacostas 2012, pp. 99–100.</ref>

===Medieval times===
[[File:Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophie Cathedral) (36).JPG|left|thumb|St. Sophia Cathedral, which was built during rule by the House of Lusignan and later converted into the  Selimiye Mosque, exemplifies the Gothic architecture in Nicosia.]]
[[File:Venetian walls and green parks Nicosia Republic of Cyprus Kypros.jpg|thumb|Venetian walls of Nicosia]]
On his way to the [[Religion:Holy Land|Holy Land]] during the Third Crusade in 1187, Richard I of England's fleet was plagued by storms. He himself stopped first at Crete and then at Rhodes. Three ships continued on, one of which was carrying Joan of England, Queen of Sicily and Berengaria of Navarre, Richard's bride-to-be. Two of the ships were wrecked off Cyprus, but the ship bearing Joan and Berengaria made it safely to Limassol. Joan refused to come ashore, fearing she would be captured and held hostage by Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus, who hated all Franks. Her ship sat at anchor for a full week before Richard finally arrived on 8 May. Outraged at the treatment of his sister and his future bride, Richard invaded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boisestate.edu/courses/crusades/3rd/07.shtml |title=The Crusades – home page |publisher=Boisestate.edu |access-date=10 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001165212/http://www.boisestate.edu/courses/crusades/3rd/07.shtml |archive-date=1 October 2009 }}</ref>{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

Richard laid siege to Nicosia, finally met and defeated Isaac Komnenos at Tremetousia and became ruler of the island, but sold it to the Knights Templar.

The Frankish rule of Cyprus started from 1192 and lasted until 1489. During this time, Nicosia was the capital of the medieval [[History:Kingdom of Cyprus|Kingdom of Cyprus]], the seat of Lusignan kings, the Latin Church and the Frankish administration of the island. During the Frankish rule, the walls of the city were built along with many other palaces and buildings, including the gothic St. Sophia Cathedral. The tombs of the Lusignan kings can be found there. The exonym Nicosia appeared with the arrival of the Lusignans. The [[Social:French language|French-speaking]] Crusaders either could not, or did not care to, pronounce the name ''Lefkosia'', and tended to say "Nicosie" translated into Italian and then internationally known as "Nicosia".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Muir |first=Diana Jean |title=Templars who were they? where did they go? vol 2 of 2. |date=2019 |publisher=LULU COM |isbn=978-0-359-38286-6 |pages=404 |oclc=1098320808}}</ref>

[[File:Nicosia by Giacomo Franco.jpg|thumb|alt=Image of map of Nicosia, created in 1597|right|Map of Nicosia in Cyprus, created in 1597]]
[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img08 Famagusta Gate.jpg|thumb|Famagusta Gate built in 1567]]
In 1373/4, Nicosia was occupied and ravaged by the [[Place:Republic of Genoa|Republic of Genoa]] and in 1426 from the [[Place:Mamluk Sultanate (Cairo)|Mamluk Sultanate]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Nicosia |title=Nicosia |website=Britannica |date=15 December 2023 }}</ref>

In 1489, when Cyprus came under the rule of the [[Place:Republic of Venice|Republic of Venice]], Nicosia became their administrative centre and the seat of the Republic. The Venetian Governors saw it as a necessity for all the cities of Cyprus to be fortified due to the Ottoman threat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_dikoisi_veneton.shtm |title=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305145302/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_dikoisi_veneton.shtm |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1567 Venetians built the new fortifications of Nicosia, which are well-preserved still to this day, demolishing the old walls built by the [[History:Franks|Franks]] as well as other important buildings of the Frankish era including the King's Palace, other private palaces and churches and monasteries of both Orthodox and Latin Christians.<ref name="nicosia.org.cy">{{cite web |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_nea_tixi_tzoulio.shtm |title=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306102256/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_nea_tixi_tzoulio.shtm |archive-date=6 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The new walls took the shape of a star with eleven bastions. The design of the bastion is more suitable for artillery and a better control for the defenders. The walls have three gates, to the North Kyrenia Gate, to the west Paphos Gate and to the east Famagusta Gate.<ref name="nicosia.org.cy"/> The river Pedieos used to flow through the Venetian walled city. In 1567 it was later diverted outside onto the newly built moat for strategic reasons, due to the expected Ottoman attack.<ref name="liminalzones.kein.org">{{cite web |url=http://liminalzones.kein.org/sites/liminalzones.kein.org/files/Nicosia,%20River-Bridge,%20GlobMedJourn.pdf |title=Nicosia |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422001342/http://liminalzones.kein.org/sites/liminalzones.kein.org/files/Nicosia,%20River-Bridge,%20GlobMedJourn.pdf |archive-date=22 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Ottoman rule===
[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img04 aqueduct.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Photo of old city aqueduct in Nicosia|The Nicosia aqueduct]]
[[File:Nicosia. (1878) - TIMEA.jpg|thumb|View of Nicosia in 1878]]
On 1 July 1570, the city came under the rule of the [[Place:Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]]. On 22 July, Piyale Pasha having captured Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca marched his army towards Nicosia and laid siege to the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_poliorkia_lefkosias.shtm |title=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307111831/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_poliorkia_lefkosias.shtm |archive-date=7 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The city managed to last 40 days under siege until its fall on 9 September 1570. The story of the Cypriot martyr Arnaude de Rocas dates from the fall of Nicosia. Some 20,000 residents died during the siege and every church, public building, and palace was looted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://historymedren.about.com/library/text/bltxtcyprus5.htm |title=Cyprus – Historical Setting – Ottoman Rule |publisher=Historymedren.about.com |date=17 June 2010 |access-date=10 March 2012}}</ref> Nicosia had an estimated population of 21,000 before the Ottoman conquest, and based on the Ottoman census data of 1572, the population had been reduced to 1,100–1,200. The devastation of the city was so extensive that for the few years after the conquest, a number of villages in the island had a larger population than Nicosia.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Theocharides |first1=Ioannis |last2=Stavrides |first2=Theoharis |editor1-last=Michaelides |editor1-first=D. |title=Historic Nicosia |date=2012 |publisher=Rimal Publications |page=237 |chapter=Nicosia Under Ottoman Rule 1570–1878: Part I}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Jennings |first1=Ronald C. |title=Christians and Muslims in Ottoman Cyprus and the Mediterranean World, 1571–1640 |date=1993 |publisher=New York University Press |location=New York, London |page=256}}</ref> The main Latin churches were converted into mosques, such as the conversion of the Saint Sophia Cathedral.

Nicosia was the seat of the Pasha, the Greek Archbishop, the Dragoman and the Qadi. The ''Palazzo del Governo'' of Venetian times became the seat of the Pasha, the governor of Cyprus, and the building was renamed as the Konak or Seraglio (Saray). The square outside was known as Seraglio Square or Sarayonu (literally front of the Saray), as it is known to the present day. The saray was demolished in 1904 and the present block of Government Offices built on the site.<ref name=jeffery>A description of the historic monuments of Cyprus. Studies in the archaeology and architecture of the island, by George Jeffery, Architect, 1918</ref>

When the newly settled Turkish population arrived they generally lived in the north of the old riverbed. Greek Cypriots remained concentrated in the south, where the Archbishopric of the Orthodox Church was built. Other ethnic minority groups such as the Armenians and Latins came to be settled near the western entry into the city at Paphos Gate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.conflictincities.org/nicosia.html |title=Nicosia |publisher=Conflictincities.org |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425141625/http://www.conflictincities.org/nicosia.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The names of the 12 quarters into which Nicosia was originally divided at the time of the Ottoman Conquest are said to be derived from the 12 generals in command of divisions of the Ottoman army at the time. Each general being posted to a quarter, that quarter (with two exceptions) was known by his name as follows:

# General Ibrahim Pasha.
# General Mahmoud Pasha.
# General Ak Kavuk Pasha. (This is a nickname meaning "white cap".)
# General Koukoud Effendi.
# General Arab Ahmed Pasha.
# General Abdi Pasha, known as Chavush (Sergeant) from which rank he was probably promoted.
# General Haydar Pasha.
# General Karamanzade (son of a Caramanian, other names not given).
# General Yahya Pasha (now known as the Phaneromeni Quarter).
# General Daniel Pasha (name of quarter changed subsequently to Omerie in honour of the Caliph Omar who stayed there for a night when in Cyprus).
# Tophane (Artillery Barracks)
# Nebetkhane, meaning police station or quarters of the patrol.<ref name=jeffery/>

The names of the generals in command of the last two-quarters have been lost:

Later the number of neighbourhoods was increased to 24. Each neighbourhood was organised around a mosque or a church, where mainly the respective Muslim and Christian communities lived.<ref name=Coexistence>Coexistence in the Disappeared Mixed Neighbourhoods of Nicosia, by Ahmet An (Paper read at the conference, "Nicosia: The Last Divided Capital in Europe", organized by the London Metropolitan University on 20 June 2011)</ref>

===British rule===

[[File:Hosting the British flag at Nicosia.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Painting, hoisting the British flat in Nicosia|right|Hoisting the British flag in Nicosia]]

{{Historical populations |type = |footnote =Source for 1881–1960.<ref name="Cyprus">{{cite web|url=http://www.prio-cyprus-displacement.net/default.asp?id=336 |title=PRIO |publisher=PRIO Internal Displacement In Cyprus |access-date=2017-03-29}}</ref> |align=left|1881 |11536|1891| 12515|1901|14481|1911| 16052| 1921| 11831|1931|23324|1946|34485|1960|45629}}

[[File:1914 Nicosia Cyprus.png|thumb|right|View of Nicosia in 1914]]
Nicosia came under the rule of [[Place:British Empire|the United Kingdom]] on 5 July 1878 in consequence of the Cyprus Convention,<ref>{{cite web |title=Nicosia Municipality |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_aglliki_katoxi.shtm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306054708/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_aglliki_katoxi.shtm |archive-date=6 March 2012 |access-date=10 March 2012 |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy}}</ref> in exchange for its support of the [[Place:Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Empire]] during the [[History:Congress of Berlin|Congress of Berlin]].

The old Ottoman administrative headquarters (the Saray) was replaced in 1904 by a new building containing Law Courts, the Land Registry, and the Forestry, Customs, and Nicosia Commissioner's Offices.<ref name=jeffery/> Adjacent was the Nicosia Police headquarters, while opposite were the General Post Office and the Telegraph Office.<ref>See map drawn in 1952 published in "Romantic Cyprus", by Kevork Keshishian, 1958 edition</ref> A Venetian Column, previously in a fenced courtyard near the Saray,<ref>"Levkosia, the capital of Cyprus" by Archduke Louis Salvator, 1881</ref> was restored on a new site in the summer of 1915 in the middle of Saray Square. The Nicosia column was presumably erected in compliment to the reigning Doge Francesco Donati about the year 1550.<ref name=jeffery/>

Just after the British Occupation a Municipal Council was constituted in Nicosia in 1882 for the general administration of public affairs within the city and for a certain area without the walls, under the presidency of a Mayor.<ref name=jeffery/> The first municipal offices were in Municipality Square (now the central municipal market), but in 1944 the offices were transferred temporarily to the d'Avila bastion and in 1952 this was made permanent with a decision to renovate the building.<ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy Municipality web site, section on Municipal Building] retrieved August 2013</ref>

[[File:Nicosia boundary extensions.png|thumb|upright=1.35|left|alt=Extensions to the Nicosia municipal area|Extensions to the Nicosia municipal area]]
In 1923 the municipal limits were extended further (see map) and this new area was divided among several of the existing intramural Neighbourhoods.<ref>Order No. 397 published in Cyprus Gazette No. 1597, 4 August 1923</ref> In 1938 the boundary was extended to the present limits in the west and to the boundaries of Ayii Omoloyites, Palouriotissa, Kaimakli and Omorfita.<ref name =nicexpand2>Cyprus Gazette No. 2676. 23 September 1938, Supplement No.3:The Municipal Corporations Laws, 1930 to 1938 – Limits of the Municipal Corporation of Nicosia</ref> In 1944 the village authority of Ayii Omoloyites was absorbed, then, shortly after independence, Palouriotissa, Kaimakli and Omorfita were annexed to the city in 1968.<ref>Nicosia Capital of Cyprus by Kevork Keshishian, pub 1978</ref>

In 1955 an armed struggle against British rule began aiming to unite the island with Greece, Enosis. The struggle was led by EOKA, a Greek Cypriot nationalist military resistance organisation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/war.html|title=War and Politics – Cyprus|access-date=12 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216001406/http://www.britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/war.html|archive-date=16 December 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and supported by the vast majority of Greek Cypriots. The unification with Greece failed and instead the independence of Cyprus was declared in 1960. During the period of the struggle, Nicosia was the scene of violent protests against British rule.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyprus-movement-occupation/fed-up-with-separation-cypriot-youths-seek-change-idUSTRE7AR1L520111128|title=Fed up with separation Cypriot youths seek change|last=Bahceli|first=Simon|date=28 November 2011|work={{wipe|Reuters}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513225558/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyprus-movement-occupation/fed-up-with-separation-cypriot-youths-seek-change-idUSTRE7AR1L520111128|archive-date=13 May 2019|url-status=live|quote=Camped on a tiny sliver of land that forms part of a United Nations-controlled buffer zone in the heart of Nicosia, these 18-year-olds and their friends are calling for a return to a way of life they have never known, one in which their communities can mix freely... It is fitting that the youths’ movement is on Ledra Street, a bustling thoroughfare where the first seeds of Cyprus's separation were sown in the 1950s.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/europerussiacentral-asia-region/british-cyprus-1914-1960/|title=30. British Cyprus (1914–1960)|website=[[Organization:University of Central Arkansas|University of Central Arkansas]] Department of Political Science|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513233211/https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/europerussiacentral-asia-region/british-cyprus-1914-1960/|archive-date=13 May 2019|url-status=live|quote=The EOKA rebelled against the British colonial government on April 1, 1955. EOKA insurgents attacked police stations in Nicosia and Kyrenia on June 19, 1955. One individual was killed and fourteen individuals were injured in an explosion near the Central Police Station in Nicosia on June 21, 1955... Turkish Cypriots demonstrated against the British colonial government in Nicosia on January 27–29, 1958. Seven Turkish Cypriots were killed in clashes with British soldiers in Nicosia on January 27, 1958.}}</ref>

===Independence and division===
[[File:Nicosia Eleftheria Ariadnis Street Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|Scheme for new pedestrianized streets in old Nicosia implemented after 2004]]

In 1960, Nicosia became the capital of the [[Place:Cyprus|Republic of Cyprus]], a state established by the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. In 1963, the Greek Cypriot side proposed amendments to the constitution, which were rejected by the Turkish Cypriot community.<ref>{{cite web|first=Eric|last=Solsten|url=http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/12.htm |title=The Republic of Cyprus |publisher=US Library of Congress |access-date=18 June 2012}}</ref> During the aftermath of this crisis, on 21 December 1963, intercommunal violence broke out between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Nicosia was divided into Greek and Turkish Cypriot quarters with the Green Line, named after the colour of the pen used by the {{wipe|United Nations}} officer to draw the line on a map of the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_lefkosia1963.shtm |title=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307020610/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_lefkosia1963.shtm |archive-date=7 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This resulted in Turkish Cypriots withdrawing from the government, and following more intercommunal violence in 1964, a number of Turkish Cypriots moved to the Turkish quarter of Nicosia, causing serious overcrowding.<ref>{{cite web|first=Eric|last=Solsten|url=http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/13.htm |title=Intercommunal Violence |publisher=US Library of Congress |access-date=18 June 2012}}</ref>

On 15 July 1974, there was an attempted coup d'état led by the Greek military junta to unite the island with Greece. The coup ousted president Makarios III and replaced him with pro-enosis nationalist Nikos Sampson.<ref name="TIME">{{Cite magazine |title=CYPRUS: Big Troubles over a Small Island |date=29 July 1974 |magazine=TIME |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,911440,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307152514/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,911440,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 March 2008 }}</ref>

On 20 July 1974, the coup d'état precipitated the invasion of the island by the Turkish army.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_1974.shtm |title=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=Nicosia.org.cy |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417134703/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_istoria_1974.shtm |archive-date=17 April 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The operation included two phases. The second phase of the Turkish invasion was performed on 14 August 1974, where the Turkish army advanced their positions, eventually capturing a total of 37% of Cypriot territory including the northern part of Nicosia. The fighting left the island with a massive refugee problem on both sides.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dotrHSZLGUC&q=turkish+invasion+of+cyprus+number+of+people+killed&pg=PA221 |title=The Cyprus Conspiracy: America, Espionage and the Turkish Invasion. By Brendan O'Malley, Ian Craig |date=25 August 2001 |access-date=10 March 2012|isbn=9781860647376 |last1=O'Malley |first1=Brendan |last2=Craig |first2=Ian |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic }}</ref>

On 13 February 1975, the Turkish Cypriot community declared the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus in the area occupied by Turkish forces.<ref name="NathanShaw212">Malcolm Nathan Shaw, ''International Law'', Cambridge University Press, 2003, {{ISBN|978-0-521-82473-6}}, [https://archive.org/details/internationallaw0000shaw/page/212 <!-- quote="On 13 February 1975 the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus was proclaimed in the area occupied by Turkish forces". --> p. 212.]</ref> On 15 November 1983, Turkish Cypriots proclaimed their independence as the [[Place:Northern Cyprus|Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]], that is recognised only by [[Place:Turkey|Turkey]] and seen by the international community as a part of the [[Place:Cyprus|Republic of Cyprus]] but not under its effective control.

On 23 April 2003, the Ledra Palace crossing was opened through the Green Line, the first time that crossing was allowed since 1974.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2969089.stm |title=Emotion as Cyprus border opens |work=BBC News |date=23 April 2003 |access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> This was followed by the opening of Ayios Dometios/Metehan crossing point on 9 May 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:2LSheATdp40J:www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/All/669FE6D32B5DEEC5C2256DC3002DE05A/%24file/27%2520May%25202003.doc%3FOpenElement+10+May+2003+cyprus+ayios+dometios&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgbI-U9uhq1bVhGCx5BFUodre7oF3QwDE4rsMeeqL649lLXb28-a00aVDd7gys3GDlE3WWZLQxke9bWGMANnv9_-6fqYkKb63ExxQit6UOC274BNZV5EZ-qRxlfpbS3IthcdMkv&sig=AHIEtbRoF8A2rV3CkgSAlD2q9y0lvFX4Pw |title=Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus |access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> On 3 April 2008, the Ledra Street crossing was also reopened.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7327866.stm |title=Symbolic Cyprus crossing reopens |work=BBC News |date=3 April 2008 |access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref>

From 30 October 2016 and onwards, Nicosia became the only capital city in the world that had two time zones, after the parliament of the de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus abolished standard time and decided that Northern Cyprus remains at [[UTC+03:00|00]] year-round, following Turkey's example.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/09/08/two-time-zones-cyprus-turkey-will-not-turn-clocks-back-next-month/|title=Cyprus to have two time zones, north to follow Turkey in refusing to turn clocks back|work=Cyprus Mail|date=8 September 2016|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/10/29/clocks-going-back-tonight/|title=Clocks going back tonight|work=Cyprus Mail|date=29 October 2016|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref> The following year, due to criticism from the Turkish Cypriot public in the north, the Turkish Cypriot government decided to go back to standard time, following the rest of Europe.

== Geography ==

===Climate===
Nicosia has a hot semi-arid climate ([[Earth:Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate classification]] ''BSh'') due to its low annual precipitation totals and annual temperature range.<ref>[//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/World_K%C3%B6ppen_Map.jpg Map]</ref> The city experiences long, hot to sweltering, dry summers, and mild winters, with most of the rainfall occurring in winter. Winter precipitation is occasionally accompanied by sleet but rarely by [[Physics:Snow|snow]]. The accumulation of snow is particularly rare (last events occurred in 1950, 1974, 1997, 2015 and 2022). There is occasionally light [[Earth:Frost|frost]] during the winter nights. On 4 September 2020, Nicosia recorded a temperature of {{convert|46.2|C|F|abbr=on}}, which is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Cyprus.<ref>{{cite web|date=7 September 2020|title=Ιστορική θερμοκρασιακή καταγραφή - Καταρρίφθηκε το παγκύπριο ρεκόρ των 45.6 βαθμών Κελσίου|url=https://www.kitasweather.com/forecasts/istoriki-thermokrasiaki-katagrafi-katarrifthike-to-pagkiprio-rekor/|website=Kitasweather}}</ref>


{{Weather box
|location = Athalassa, Nicosia, elevation: 162 m (1991–2020) (<small>[https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Paralimni&params=35_09_0_N_33_24_0_E_region:CY_type:city Satellite view]</small>)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 24.0
|Feb record high C = 27.8
|Mar record high C = 33.4
|Apr record high C = 39.0
|May record high C = 43.9
|Jun record high C = 43.3
|Jul record high C = 44.6
|Aug record high C = 45.6
|Sep record high C = 45.3
|Oct record high C = 40.4
|Nov record high C = 32.6
|Dec record high C = 28.4
|year record high C = 45.6
|Jan high C = 15.8
|Feb high C = 16.6
|Mar high C = 20.0
|Apr high C = 24.7
|May high C = 29.8
|Jun high C = 34.4
|Jul high C = 37.5
|Aug high C = 37.4
|Sep high C = 34.0
|Oct high C = 29.2
|Nov high C = 22.7
|Dec high C = 17.7
|year high C = 26.7
|Jan mean C = 10.7
|Feb mean C = 11.2
|Mar mean C = 13.8
|Apr mean C = 17.7
|May mean C = 22.6
|Jun mean C = 27.1
|Jul mean C = 30.0
|Aug mean C = 30.0
|Sep mean C = 26.7
|Oct mean C = 22.5
|Nov mean C = 16.8
|Dec mean C = 12.5
|year mean C = 20.1
|Jan low C = 5.7
|Feb low C = 5.8
|Mar low C = 7.6
|Apr low C = 10.8
|May low C = 15.3
|Jun low C = 19.8
|Jul low C = 22.6
|Aug low C = 22.5
|Sep low C = 19.4
|Oct low C = 15.9
|Nov low C = 10.8
|Dec low C = 7.3
|year low C = 13.6
|Jan record low C = -2.3
|Feb record low C = -2.9
|Mar record low C = 0.0
|Apr record low C = 1.6
|May record low C = 7.5
|Jun record low C = 10.6
|Jul record low C = 10.5
|Aug record low C = 16.3
|Sep record low C = 13.0
|Oct record low C = 5.4
|Nov record low C = 0.3
|Dec record low C = -1.5
|year record low C= -2.9
|Jan rain mm = 53.2
|Feb rain mm = 41.5
|Mar rain mm = 29.1
|Apr rain mm = 21.1
|May rain mm = 26.2
|Jun rain mm = 14.5
|Jul rain mm = 4.9
|Aug rain mm = 1.2
|Sep rain mm = 10.8
|Oct rain mm = 24.4
|Nov rain mm = 39.3
|Dec rain mm = 64.1
|Jan sun = 180.0
|Feb sun = 190.5
|Mar sun = 240.5
|Apr sun = 271.8
|May sun = 327.7
|Jun sun = 368.3
|Jul sun = 385.9
|Aug sun = 364.4
|Sep sun = 306.8
|Oct sun = 269.2
|Nov sun = 216.2
|Dec sun = 176.9
|year sun = 3298.4

|source 1 = [[Organization:World Meteorological Organization|World Meteorological Organization]] Normals (NOAA) <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Cyprus/CSV/ | title=Index of /Archive/Arc0216/0253808/1.1/Data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Cyprus/CSV }}</ref>

}}

==Cityscape==

=== South of the Green Line ===
[[File:Nicosia panoramic view Cyprus Tower 25 Jean Nouvel.jpg|thumb|left|View of Nicosia from Shacolas Tower]]
[[File:Nicosia 1.jpg|thumb|left|Ledra Street]]
[[File:Lefkosia-green-line-b.jpg|thumb|left|Buffer zone in Nicosia]]
Ledra Street is in the middle of the walled city. The street has historically been the busiest shopping street of the capital and adjacent streets lead to the most lively part of the old city with narrow streets, boutiques, bars and art-cafés. The street today is a historic monument on its own, covering about {{convert|1|km|1|abbr=on}} in length and connects the south and north parts of the old city. During the EOKA struggle that ran from 1955 to 1959, the street acquired the informal nickname ''The Murder Mile'' in reference to the frequent targeting of the British colonialists by nationalist fighters along its course.<ref>{{cite news|title=The First Move |date= 27 August 1956 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,864100-1,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407234812/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,864100-1,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 April 2008 |work=Time Magazine |access-date= 20 March 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/war.html |title=War and Politics-Cyprus |publisher=Britains-smallwars.com |access-date=10 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216001406/http://www.britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/war.html |archive-date=16 December 2008 }}</ref> In 1963, during the outbreak of hostilities between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, following the announcement of amendments to the Cypriot Constitution, Turkish Cypriots withdrew to the northern part of Nicosia which became one of the many Turkish Cypriot enclaves which existed throughout the island. Various streets which ran between the northern and southern part of the city, including Ledra Street, were blockaded. During the Turkish army invasion of Cyprus in 1974, Turkish troops occupied northern Nicosia (as well as the northern part of Cyprus). A buffer zone was established across the island along the ceasefire line to separate the northern Turkish controlled part of the island, and the south. The buffer zone runs through Ledra Street. After many failed attempts on reaching agreement between the two communities, Ledra Street was reopened on 3 April 2008.

[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img09 StJohn the Apostle Church.jpg|thumb|upright|St. John's Cathedral]]
To the east of Ledra Street, Faneromeni Square was the centre of Nicosia before 1974. It hosts a number of historical buildings and monuments including Faneromeni Church, Faneromeni School, Faneromeni Library and the Marble Mausoleum. Faneromeni Church, is a church built in 1872 in the stead of another church located at the same site, constructed with the remains of La Cava castle and a convent. There rest the archbishop and the other bishops who were executed by the Ottomans in the Saray Square during the 1821 revolt. The Palace of the Archbishop can be found at Archbishop Kyprianos Square. Although it seems very old, it is a wonderful imitation of typical Venetian style, built in 1956. Next to the palace is the late Gothic St. John's Cathedral (1665) with picturesque frescos. The square leads to Onasagorou Street, another busy shopping street in the historical centre.

The walls surrounding the old city have three gates. In The Kyrenia Gate which was responsible to the transport to the north, and especially Kyrenia, the Famagusta Gate which was responsible for the transport from Famagusta, [[Place:Larnaca|Larnaca]] and Limassol and Karpasia, and the Paphos Gate for transport to the west and especially Paphos. All three gates are well-preserved,<ref name=kesh2>Keshishian, Kevork K. (1978). ''Nicosia: Capital of Cyprus Then and Now'', pp. 78–83, The Mouflon Book and Art Centre.</ref> with Famagusta gate functioning as a venue for art exhibitions and concerts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Christos |title=Famagusta Gate (Pyli Ammochostou) |url=https://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/culture/sites-monuments/202-famagusta-gate-pyli-ammochostou |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=www.visitcyprus.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> The historical centre is clearly present inside the walls, but the modern city has grown beyond.

Presently, the main square of the city is Eleftheria (Freedom) Square, with the city hall, the post office and the library. The square, which has been redesigned by Zaha Hadid Architects and was delivered to the public in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-14 |title=Eleftheria Square / Zaha Hadid Architects |url=https://www.archdaily.com/973570/eleftheria-square-zaha-hadid-architects |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=ArchDaily |language=en-US}}</ref> connects the old city with the new city where one can find the main shopping streets such as the prestigious Stasikratous Street, Themistokli Dervi Avenue and Makarios Avenue.

[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img10 Archbishops Palace.jpg|thumb|left|Archbishop's Palace]]
Nicosia is also known for its fine museums. The Archbishop's Palace contains a Byzantine museum containing the largest collection of religious icons on the island. Leventis Municipal Museum is the only historical museum of Nicosia and revives the old ways of life in the capital from ancient times up to our days. Other interesting museums include the Folk Art Museum, National Struggle Museum (witnessing the rebellion against the British administration in the 1950s), Cyprus Ethnological Museum (House of Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios, 18th century) and the Handicrafts Centre.

Nicosia also hosts an Armenian archbishopric, a small Buddhist temple, a Maronite archbishopric, and a Roman Catholic church.

=== North of the Green Line ===
[[File:Samanbahçe in North Nicosia.jpg|thumb|left|The historical Samanbahçe neighborhood]]
[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img32 AtatuerkSquare.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Sarayönü Square]]
[[File:Night at Yenişehir, Nicosia.jpg|thumb|left|A view from the Yenişehir quarter]]
[[File:Pedieos river walking routes Green leaf Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|right|Pedieos river walking route]]
At the center of the walled city lies the Sarayönü Square. The square has been dubbed as "the heart of Nicosia" and historically has been the cultural center of the Turkish Cypriot community.<ref name=sarac>{{cite web|title=İki paradan bir milyona... Saraçoğlu'ndan Ecevit'e...|url=http://www.kibris.net/basin/yazarlarimiz/serbest/hasanhasturer/arsiv/2004/kasim_2004/14_kasim_2004.htm|publisher=kibris.net|access-date=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034324/http://www.kibris.net/basin/yazarlarimiz/serbest/hasanhasturer/arsiv/2004/kasim_2004/14_kasim_2004.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the middle of the square stands the Venetian Column, known simply as "the Obelisk" ("Dikiltaş") to the locals and symbolic of the country's government.<ref name=sarac/> The column was brought from the ancient city of Salamis by the Venetians in 1550.<ref>{{cite web|title=Venedik Sütunu|url=http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/58-venediksutunu|publisher=Nicosia Turkish Municipality|access-date=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103051925/http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/58-venediksutunu|archive-date=3 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Girne Avenue connects Sarayönü to the Kyrenia Gate and the İnönü Square in front of it. The avenue has been described as "the symbol of the walled city", and is filled with numerous shops and restaurants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Girne Caddesi'nin dokusu değişecek|url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/87/news/139612/PageName/LEFKOSA|publisher=Kıbrıs Postası|access-date=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050823/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/87/news/139612/PageName/LEFKOSA|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Next to the Ledra Street checkpoint is the Arasta area. The area was pedestrianized in 2013 and is home to a network of historic shopping streets, reflecting an eastern shopping tradition with food and traditional items.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arasta|url=http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/44-arasta|publisher=LTB|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104050409/http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/44-arasta|archive-date=4 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nearby Büyük Han, the largest caravanserai in the island and considered to be one of the finest buildings in Cyprus, was built in 1572 by the [[Place:Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] and functions as a cultural center.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arasta boş, Büyük Han kaynıyor!|url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/35/news/131989/PageName/KIBRIS_HABERLERI|publisher=Kıbrıs Postası|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045857/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/35/news/131989/PageName/KIBRIS_HABERLERI|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Büyük Han|url=http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/57-butukhan|publisher=LTB|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104050529/http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/57-butukhan|archive-date=4 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> To the west of the Girne Avenue lies the Samanbahçe neighborhood, built in the 19th century by the government, considered to be the first example of social housing in the island. Still a residential area, the neighborhood is considered to be one of the best representations of the Cypriot culture.<ref>{{cite web|title=Samanbahçe Evleri|url=http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/54-samanbahceevleri|publisher=Nicosia Turkish Municipality|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104051014/http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/54-samanbahceevleri|archive-date=4 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another central point in the walled city is the Selimiye Mosque, originally built as the St. Sophia Cathedral. The mosque is the chief religious center in Northern Cyprus. It was built between 1209 and 1228 by the Latin Church of Cyprus, in a Gothic style resembling French cathedrals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Selimiye Cami|url=http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/48-sekimiyecami|publisher=LTB|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104051005/http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/tr/index.php/lefkosa/turistikyerler/10-genel/48-sekimiyecami|archive-date=4 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Next to the mosque is the Bedesten, a large Greek church in the Byzantine and Gothic styles, built in the 14th century. It was used as a marketplace in the Ottoman era. Today, it is used as a cultural center where various cultural activities such as concerts and festivals take place.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trio Arion oda müziği konserler dizisi yarın başlıyor|url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/35/news/134861/PageName/KIBRIS_HABERLERI|publisher=Kıbrıs Postası|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725014926/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/35/news/134861/PageName/KIBRIS_HABERLERI|archive-date=25 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=stwingcity>{{cite web|last1=Dreghorn|first1=William|title=The Antiquities of Turkish Nicosia|url=http://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~durduran/drnic1.html#selim|publisher=stwing.upenn.edu|access-date=4 January 2015}}</ref>

The quarters of Nicosia outside the walled city are more spacious than the walled city, with wider roads and junctions. These areas are characterized by multi-floor concrete buildings. In the outskirts of the city, a number large and imposing villas have been built that belong to the middle and upper-classes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Urbanization in Cyprus|url=http://e-dergi.atauni.edu.tr/index.php/dogucografya/article/view/6916/6345|publisher=Eastern Geography Review|access-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818005743/http://e-dergi.atauni.edu.tr/index.php/dogucografya/article/view/6916/6345|archive-date=18 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Dereboyu Avenue serves as the modern heart of the northern part and is its center of entertainment.

==Politics and administration==

===Governance of the metropolitan area===
[[File:Nicosia conurbation map.png|thumb|upright=1.15|alt=Map of Greater Nicosia|Greater Nicosia]]Greater Nicosia is administered by several municipalities. In the centre is the city municipality of Nicosia itself (see below). Other municipalities are Strovolos, Lakatamia, Latsia, Aglandjia, Engomi, Agios Dhometios and the newly formed ({{As of|2011|lc=y}}) Yeri & Tseri.

The population of the conurbation is 300,000 (2011 census, plus Turkish Cypriot administered census of 2006) of which 100,000 live within the Nicosia municipal area. Because Nicosia municipality has separate communal municipal administrations, the population of Strovolos (67,904 (2011 Census)) is actually the largest of all the local authorities in Greater Nicosia.

Within Nicosia municipality, most of the population resides in the more recently annexed outlying areas of Kaimakli, Pallouriotissa, Omorfita and Ayii Omoloyites.

There is no metropolitan authority as such for Greater Nicosia and various roles, responsibilities and functions for the wider area are undertaken by the Nicosia District administration, bodies such as the Nicosia Water Board and, to some extent, Nicosia municipality.

The Nicosia Water Board supplies water to the following municipalities: Nicosia, Strovolos, Aglandjia, Engomi, Ay. Dometios, Latsia, Geri and Tseri. The board consists of three persons nominated by the Council of each municipality, plus three members appointed by the government, who are usually the District Officer of Nicosia District, who chairs the Board, the Accountant General and the Director of the Water Department. The board also supply Anthoupolis and Ergates, for whom the government provide representatives. Thus the board is in the majority controlled by the municipalities of Greater Nicosia in providing this vital local government service.<ref>[http://www.wbn.org.cy Official web site of the Nicosia Water Board] (extract 20 May 2013)</ref>

The Nicosia Sewerage Board, is likewise majority controlled by the municipalities of Greater Nicosia. It is chaired ''ex officio'' by the Mayor of Nicosia and consists of members chosen by the municipalities of Nicosia (6 members), Strovolos (5 members),
Aglandjia (2 members),
Lakatamia (2 members),
Ay. Dometios (2 members),
Engomi (2 members),
Latsia (1 member).
The sewage treatment plant is at Mia Milia. The Nicosia Sewerage System serves a population of approximately 140,000 and an area of {{convert|20|km2|0|abbr=on}}. Approximately 30% of the influent is contributed by the Turkish Cypriot Side.<ref>[http://www.sbn.org.cy Official web site of the Nicosia Sewerage Board] (extract 20 May 2013)</ref>

Public transport is not controlled by the local authorities, but comes under the Nicosia District administration, which is an arm of the Ministry of the Interior. Transport services (primarily bus and taxi) are provided by private operators such as OSEL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.osel.com.cy/ |title=Official web site of Organisation for Communications of Nicosia District |access-date=23 September 2011 |archive-date=6 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606042432/http://www.osel.com.cy/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In late 2019 the contract for providing transport services in the district of Nicosia was awarded via tender to a private consortium which was expected to take over the system on 5 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/nicosia-bus-services-in-the-hands-of-kapnos-consortium/|title=Nicosia bus services in the hands of Kapnos consortium|website=in-cyprus.philenews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politis.com.cy/politis-news/kypros/leoforeia-leykosias-ypografike-i-symvasi/|title=Λεωφορεία Λευκωσίας: Υπογράφηκε η σύμβαση|date=24 January 2020}}</ref>

===Nicosia Municipality===
[[File:NICOSIA, 11 AUGUST, 2011 114.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Nicosia Municipality building at Eleftheria Square]]
The Nicosia Municipality is responsible for all the municipal duties within the walled city and the immediately adjacent areas. The Constitution states that various main government buildings and headquarters must be situated within the Nicosia municipal boundaries.<ref>e.g. Constitution of Cyprus Article 153, s2 – "The seat of the High Court shall be in the capital of the Republic."</ref> However separate municipalities are prescribed by the constitution for in the five largest towns, including Nicosia,<ref>Constitution of Cyprus Article 173 – "Separate municipalities shall be created in the five largest towns of the Republic, that is to say, Nicosia, Limassol, Famagusta, Larnaca and Paphos by the Turkish inhabitants thereof"</ref> and in the case of Nicosia the separate administration was established in 1958. The Turkish Municipal Committees (Temporary Provisions) Law, 1959<ref>Law 1959 c3</ref> established a municipal authority run by a "Turkish Municipal Committee", defined as "the body of persons set up on or after the first day of July, 1958, in the towns of Nicosia, Limassol, Famagusta, Larnaca and Paphos by the Turkish inhabitants thereof for the purpose of performing municipal functions within the municipal limits of such towns".The "Nicosia Turkish Municipality", founded in 1958, carries out municipal duties in the northern and north-western part of city.<ref>Phoebe Koundouri, ''Water Resources Allocation: Policy and Socioeconomic Issues in Cyprus'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=f957ycdkGsMC&dq=%22is+responsible+for+all+the+municipal+duties+and%22&pg=PA70 p. 70.]</ref> The remaining areas, in the south and east of the city, are administered by Nicosia Municipality.

===Nicosia Turkish Municipality===
[[File:Lefkoşa Türk Belediyesi.JPG|thumb|right|alt=Nicosia Turkish Municipal building |Nicosia Turkish Municipal building]]
The first attempt to establish a Nicosia Turkish Municipality was made in 1958. In October 1959, the British Colonial Administration passed the Turkish Municipality Committees law. In 1960 with the declaration of independence of Cyprus, the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus gave Turkish Cypriots the right to establish their own municipality.<ref>Phoebe Koundouri, ''Water Resources Allocation: Policy and Socioeconomic Issues in Cyprus'', Springer, 2010, [https://books.google.com/books?id=f957ycdkGsMC&dq=%221960+Constitution+of+the+Republic+of+Cyprus+gave+the+right+to%22&pg=PA70 p. 70.]</ref><ref>''The Middle East: a survey and directory of the countries of the Middle East'', Europa Publications., 1966, [https://books.google.com/books?id=yl4gAQAAMAAJ&q=%22+the+Turkish+municipality+of+Nicosia+asked+for+a+similar+decision+against+the+Council+of+Ministers%22 p. 171.]</ref><ref name="const">{{cite web |url=http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/portal/portal.nsf/0/f7eb7480579b1a50c2256fdb0040a003?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=5#_Section5 |title=The Constitution – Appendix D: Part 12 – Miscellaneous Provisions |language=el |publisher=Cyprus.gov.cy |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-date=5 August 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805123156/www.cyprus.gov.cy/portal/portal.nsf/0/f7eb7480579b1a50c2256fdb0040a003?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=5#_Section5 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As negotiations between the two sides to establish separate municipalities failed in 1962, implementing legislation was never passed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyprus-conflict.net/municipalities%20pt%202.html |title=The Issue of Separate Municipalities and the Birth of the New Republic: Cyprus 1957–1963 (University of Minnesota Press, 2000) |publisher=Cyprus-conflict.net |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326163329/http://www.cyprus-conflict.net/municipalities%20pt%202.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cytoc.html |title=The Library of Congress – Country Studies: Cyprus – Ch. 4 – 1960 Constitution |publisher=Lcweb2.loc.gov |date=27 July 2010 |access-date=10 March 2012}}</ref> Since the complete division of Nicosia following the Turkish Invasion in 1974, the Nicosia Turkish Municipality has become the de facto local authority of northern Nicosia. The Nicosia Turkish Municipality is a member of the Union of Cyprus Turkish Municipalities.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EZEeqAdvwDgC&q=TRNC+Local+Government+Units+and+their+unions&pg=PA420|title=Comparative E-Government | first=Christopher G. |last=Reddick|isbn=978-1-4419-6535-6|date=2010-08-19 |publisher=Springer }}</ref> The mayor is Mehmet Harmancı from the Communal Democracy Party.

=== Other municipalities in Greater Nicosia ===
Until 1986 there were no suburban municipalities. Then, following the procedures in the Municipal Law 111/1985, Strovolos, Engomi, Ay. Dometios, Aglandjia, Latsia and Lakatamia were erected into municipalities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.engomi.org.cy/ |title=Official web site of Engomi municipality, history section (Greek version) |access-date=20 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826091849/http://engomi.org.cy/ |archive-date=26 August 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Each municipal council has the number of members described in the Municipal Law 111/1985 depending on the population figures. All members of the council are elected directly by the people for a period of 5 years.

===Administrative divisions and demographics===
[[File:Nicosia local government units (2).png|thumb|Administrative divisions (2011 Census)]]
Nicosia within the city limits is divided into 29 administrative units, according to the latest census. This unit is termed in English as ''quarter, neighbourhood, [[Religion:Parish|parish]], enoria'' or ''mahalla''. These units are: Ayios Andreas (formerly Tophane), Trypiotis, Nebethane, Tabakhane, Phaneromeni, Ayios Savvas, Omerie, Ayios Antonios (St. Anthony), St. John, Taht-el-kale, Chrysaliniotissa, Ayios Kassianos (Kafesli), Kaïmakli, Panayia, St Constantine & Helen, Ayioi Omoloyites, Arab Ahmet, Yeni Jami, Omorfita, Ibrahim Pasha, Mahmut Pasha, Abu Kavouk, St. Luke, Abdi Chavush, Iplik Pazar and Korkut Effendi, Ayia Sophia, Haydar Pasha, Karamanzade,<ref>Census of Cyprus (available from Statistical Service, Nicosia). Document: Population – Place of Residence, 2011, Table C. Municipality/Community, Quarter and Street Index published by Ministry of Information (CILIS_streets_022011)</ref> and Yenişehir/Neapolis.<ref name=Neapoli_quarter>Official Gazette of the Republic No. 4341 and dated 25.01.2010</ref>

[[File:Parlanet cyprus.jpg|thumb|left|Presidential Palace in Strovolos area.]]
The municipality of Strovolos, established in 1986, is the second largest municipal authority in Cyprus in terms of population after Limassol and encompasses the southern suburbs of the capital immediately adjacent to Nicosia municipality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.strovolos.org.cy/|title=Αρχική Σελίδα|website=Strovolos Municipality}}</ref> Lakatamia, Latsia, Geri and Aglandjia are other separate municipalities in the Nicosia metropolitan area.

The town of Gönyeli is now conurbated with the northern suburbs. Previously a village authority, it now functions as a municipality<ref>[http://www.gonyeli.org/ Gonyeli Municipal web site] August 2013</ref> within the same area<ref>The authority has the population, economic viability and consent of the (original) inhabitants prescribed in the Municipalities Law (see Law 11/1985), without having been formally recognised as a municipality under that law. See also www.prio-cyprus-displacement.net/default_print.asp?id=300 retrieved August 2013</ref> The suburbs immediately to the north of the city have not been erected into municipalities. The village authority of Hamitköy (also known as Hamid Mandres) was heavily urbanized<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prio-cyprus-displacement.net/default.asp?id=301 |title=PRIO |publisher=PRIO Internal Displacement In Cyprus |access-date=2017-03-29}}</ref> and was included within the borders of Nicosia Turkish Municipality<ref>{{cite web |title=Cleaning Campaign from NTM in Hamitköy... |date=2008-08-21 |url=http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/english/news/cln_hamitkoy.htm |access-date=2012-04-15 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803161549/http://www.lefkosabelediyesi.org/english/news/cln_hamitkoy.htm |archive-date=3 August 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> as a Nicosia neighbourhood headed by a [[Social:Muhtar (title)|muhtar]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lefkosaturkbelediyesi.org/turkce/muhtarlar.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518102530/http://www.lefkosaturkbelediyesi.org/turkce/muhtarlar.htm |url-status=dead|title=Muhtarlarımız |archive-date=18 May 2014}}</ref> Ortakeuy Village authority<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prio-cyprus-displacement.net/default.asp?id=342 |title=Ortakeuy |publisher=PRIO Internal Displacement In Cyprus |access-date=2017-03-29}}</ref> has similarly been redefined as a neighbourhood of Nicosia Turkish Municipality.

==Religion==
[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img18 View from Shacolas Tower.jpg|thumb|Holy Cross Church]]
Historically Nicosia is a melting pot harmonizing multiple religious establishments, denominations, churches, mosques, synagogues, etc.
Traditionally Nicosia hosts Greek Orthodox churches, Armenian Apostolic churches, Latin Catholic, Maronite Catholic, Anglican churches, Evangelical churches as well as mosques and synagogues.

===Armenian Apostolic Church===
[[File:Sourp Asdvadzadzin-front.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Armenian Apostolic Church in Nicosia]]
One of the oldest Armenian churches known as the Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Tyre, was founded in the 13th century as a principal convent following the fall of Jerusalem. In 1308, the Lusignan king, Henry II of Jerusalem, repaired the church after it was destroyed by an earthquake. As many of the nuns were Armenian in origin, it came under the Armenian Church before 1504.<ref name="Hadjilyras-1">{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/19540738/The-Armenians-of-Cyprus-booklet|title=The Armenians of Cyprus (Booklet) |via=Scribd |last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|date=May 2009|publisher=Kalaydjian Foundation|access-date=16 May 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103031242/https://www.scribd.com/doc/19540738/The-Armenians-of-Cyprus-booklet |archive-date= Nov 3, 2012 }}</ref>
Since 1963, the church has been located in [[Place:North Nicosia|North Nicosia]], under Turkish Cypriot administration. The church suffered the collapse of some parts and a great deterioration of condition till 2007, when the restoration work began.<ref name=undpbooklet>{{cite web|last1=Vitti|first1=Paolo|title=The Armenian Church and Monastery Restoration Project|url=http://www.cy.undp.org/content/dam/cyprus/docs/ACT%20Publications/ACM-Book-PRINT-FINAL.pdf|publisher=UNDP|access-date=26 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305144230/http://www.cy.undp.org/content/dam/cyprus/docs/ACT%20Publications/ACM-Book-PRINT-FINAL.pdf |archive-date= Mar 5, 2016 }}</ref>
The renovation was completed in 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Reconciliation through Preservation: Celebrating Restoration of Unique Part of Cyprus' Cultural Heritage|url=http://cyprus.usembassy.gov/pr-usaid_amb_acm_mar14.html|publisher=Nicosia, Cyprus - Embassy of the United States |date=March 19, 2014 |access-date=26 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910055253/http://cyprus.usembassy.gov:80/pr-usaid_amb_acm_mar14.html |archive-date= Sep 10, 2015 }}</ref> and won the EU Prize For Cultural Heritage (Europa Nostra Award) in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenian Church and Monastery in Nicosia |url=http://www.europanostra.org/awards/153/|publisher=Europa Nostra|access-date=26 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111313/http://www.europanostra.org/awards/153/ |archive-date= Mar 4, 2016 }}</ref>
With the help of the World Council of Churches, the Church of Westphalia, the Cyprus government and the faithful, a new church was built in Strovolos, also called "Sourp Asdvadzadzin". Its foundation stone was laid on 25 September 1976 by Archbishop Makarios III and Archbishop Nerses Pakhdigian. It was officially inaugurated on 22 November 1981 by Catholicos of Cilicia Khoren I and Coadjutor Catholicos of Cilicia Karekin II, in the presence of Archbishop Chrysostomos I, Bishop Zareh Aznavorian and Representative Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian.

===Maronite Catholic Church===
[[File:Nicosia by Paride 11.JPG|thumb|upright|right|Maronite Church in Nicosia]]
The Maronite community is a traditional community in Nicosia. The archeparchy extends its jurisdiction over all the faithful Maronites of the island of Cyprus. Its arcieparchial seat is the city of Nicosia, where is located the Our Lady of Grace Cathedral (Nicosia).

The archeparchy at the end of 2013 out of a population of 838,897 people had 10,400 baptized, corresponding to 1.2% of the total. Its territory is divided into 12 parishes.
''Our Lady of Grace Cathedral'' is the main Maronite church of the city of Nicosia, in Cyprus, and is the cathedral of the Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Cyprus.

The first cathedral was dedicated to St. John, but during the Ottoman occupation it was turned into a mosque. The Lebanese Maronite community erected the church of Santa Croce, later entrusted to the Franciscans, and the current church of Our Lady of Grace is near to the Franciscan church. In 1960, the seat of the vicarage and the surrounding buildings were built.<ref>{{cite web |date=2012-06-03 |url=http://www.cyprushighlights.com/en/index.php/2012/06/03/cathedral-church-of-our-lady-of-graces/ |title=Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Graces (within the walls) Nicosia |access-date=2016-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212147/http://www.cyprushighlights.com/en/index.php/2012/06/03/cathedral-church-of-our-lady-of-graces/ |archive-date=2015-09-23 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 6 June 2010 [[Biography:Pope Benedict XVI|Pope Benedict XVI]], the first pope to make an apostolic trip to the island, visited the cathedral of Nicosia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2010/june/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100606_catt-maronita.html|title=Apostolic Journey to Cyprus - Visit at the Cathedral of the Maronite Church of Cyprus (Nicosia, 6 June 2010) &#124; BENEDICT XVI |website=www.vatican.va}}</ref>

===Anglican Church===
[[File:St-Pauls-Cathedral-Nicosia.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Anglican Church in Nicosia]]
The church of St. Paul was built in 1893 when Cyprus was a protectorate of the British Empire. The influence of politics on architecture is evident by the structural elements of the building, which is reminiscent of an English parish church. The Christian church today is part of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.

===Greek Evangelical Church===
[[File:Greek Evangelical Church Nicosia.jpg|thumb|right|Greek Evangelical Church of Nicosia]]
The Greek Evangelical Church of Nicosia is a relatively modern architecture serving the local Protestant community. Along with special hours dedicated to services of the Greek Evangelical community, it serves as a worship center of local Protestants of other nationalities, such as Armenian, American, Romanian, Korean, Chinese, etc. It is located on Gladstone Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cyprushighlights.com/en/2012/11/12/greek-evangelical-church-in-nicosia/|title = Greek Evangelical Church in Nicosia|date = 12 November 2012}}</ref>

===Armenian Evangelical Church===
[[File:Nicosia Armenian Evangelical.jpg|thumb|left|Armenian Evangelical Church of Nicosia]]
The first Armenian Evangelicals in Cyprus came after the arrival of the {{wipe|United Kingdom}} in July 1878. As they were not committed, and very few in number, they quickly became associated with the ''Mother Church'' (Armenian Apostolic Church), such as Apisoghom Utidjian, the official state documents translator and the son of Stepan Utidjian, one of the original founders of the Armenian Evangelical Church, who served as chairman of the Nicosia parish council for 30 years. With the influx of more Protestants, Armenian Evangelicals became affiliated with the Reformed Presbyterian Church as early as 1887. Although the main centres were Nicosia and [[Place:Larnaca|Larnaca]], gatherings were occasionally held in Limassol, Famagusta, and Amiandos.

There was also a small Armenian Evangelical church, located on Mahmoud Pasha Street, in the Turkish-occupied part of the walled city of Nicosia—behind the old American Academy building, near the Arab Ahmed mosque. Prior to its erection, Armenian Evangelicals used to worship God at the Reformed Presbyterian Church on Apostolos Varnavas Street, opposite the old Powerhouse and behind the building of the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus. The church - a vision already since the early 1930s - was eventually built thanks to the initiative of pastor Yohanna Der Megerditchian, with the financial contribution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Armenian Evangelical faithful; its architect was Dickran H. Davidian. Its foundation stone was laid on 28 July 1946 by pastor Yohanna Der Megerditchian, who dedicated it on 1 July 1947. On the lower part of the right wall to the side of the entrance, there is an inscription in [[Social:Armenian language|Armenian]].

===Converted cathedral===
[[File:Nicosia church.jpg|thumb|Selimiye Mosque, converted from a cathedral as the right of conquest]]
Perhaps the most iconic religious architecture of Nicosia is the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, also known as the Agia Sophia of Nicosia, which was constructed in the year of 1326 as a Catholic church.  It was converted into a [[Engineering:Mosque|mosque]] and it is located in [[Place:North Nicosia|North Nicosia]]. It has historically been the main mosque of the city. As a mosque it is known as the Selimiye Mosque which is housed in the largest and oldest surviving Gothic church in [[Place:Cyprus|Cyprus]] (interior dimensions: {{convert|66|x|21|m|ft|abbr=in|disp=or}}) possibly constructed on the site of an earlier Byzantine church.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/culture-religion/sites-monuments/item/207-st-paul-s-anglican-church |title=St. Paul's Anglican Church |website=www.visitcyprus.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905061649/http://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/culture-religion/sites-monuments/item/207-st-paul-s-anglican-church |archive-date=2017-09-05}}</ref>
During the 50-day [[Place:Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] siege of the city in 1570, the cathedral provided refuge for a great number of people. When the city fell on 9 September, Francesco Contarini, the Bishop of Paphos, delivered the last Christian sermon in the building, in which he asked for divine help and exhorted the people. The cathedral was stormed by Ottoman soldiers, who broke the door and killed the bishop along with others. They smashed or threw out Christian items, such as furniture and ornaments in the cathedral<ref name=kesh>Keshishian, Kevork K. (1978). ''Nicosia: Capital of Cyprus Then and Now'', p. 104, The Mouflon Book and Art Centre.</ref> and destroyed the choir as well as the nave.<ref name=gurkan>{{cite book|last1=Gürkan|first1=Haşmet Muzaffer|title=Dünkü ve Bugünkü Lefkoşa|year=2006|publisher=Galeri Kültür|isbn=9963660037|pages=117–8|edition=3rd|language=Turkish}}</ref> Then, they washed the interior of the mosque to make it ready for the first [[Religion:Friday prayer|Friday prayer]] that it would host on 15 September, which was attended by the commander Lala Mustafa Pasha and saw the official conversion of the cathedral into a mosque.<ref name=kesh/> According to [[Religion:Fiqh|Islamic jurisprudence]], the main temple of a city conquered by Muslims and not surrendered in peace may be converted to a mosque as a symbol of the takeover and superiority of Islam. This is referred to as "the right of the sword".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-24 |title=Ayasofya kılıç hakkı ne demek? {{!}} STAR |url=https://www.star.com.tr/guncel/ayasofya-kilic-hakki-ne-demek-kilic-hakki-nedir-haber-1560453/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Star.com.tr |language=tr}}</ref> During the same year, the two [[Engineering:Minaret|minaret]]s were added, as well as Islamic features such as the [[Mihrab|mihrab]] (prayer niche) and the [[Religion:Minbar|minbar]] (sermon pulpit).{{sfn|Alasya|2002|p=363}}

The first [[Religion:Imam|imam]] of the mosque was Moravizade Ahmet Efendi, who hailed from the Morea province of the Ottoman Empire.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bağışkan|first1=Tuncer|title=Lefkoşa Şehidaları (1) |url=http://www.yeniduzen.com/Ekler/adres-kibris/160/lefkosa-sehidalari-1/1465|publisher=Yeni Düzen|access-date=18 March 2015|date=31 May 2014}}</ref> All imams maintained the tradition of climbing the stairs to the minbar before Friday sermons while leaning on a sword used during the conquest of Nicosia to signify that Nicosia was captured by conquest.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fehmi|first1=Hasan|title=A'dan Z'ye KKTC: sosyal ve ansiklopedik bilgiler|date=1992|publisher=Cem Publishing House|page=129|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSJIAAAAMAAJ&q=%22%C3%A7%C4%B1karken,+fetihten+kalma+bir%22|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>

Following its conversion, the mosque became the property of the Sultan Selim Foundation, which was responsible for maintaining it. Other donors formed a number of foundations to help with the maintenance.{{sfn|Bağışkan|2013}} Okçuzade Mehmed Paşa, a governor of Cyprus in the 16th century, donated a shop to provide income for the Sultan Selim Foundation; other donations include estates in the countryside and other shops. The foundation employed trustees (''mütevelli'') to look after the funds and transferred 40,000 ''akçe'' annually to [[Place:Medina|Medina]] in late 16th century.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jennings |first1=Ronald C. |title=Christians and Muslims in Ottoman Cyprus and the Mediterranean World, 1571-1640 |date=1993 |publisher=New York University Press |location=New York and London |page=54}}</ref> During the Ottoman period, it was the largest mosque in the whole island, and was used weekly by the Ottoman governor, administrators and elite for the Friday prayers. In the late 18th century, a large procession that consisted of the leading officials in the front on horseback, followed by lower-ranking officials on foot, came to the mosque every Friday.{{sfn|Bağışkan|2013}}

===Islam===
[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img13 Omeriye Mosque.jpg|thumb|left|Omeriye Mosque in Nicosia]]
Historically Nicosia (south and north) hosts over 15 mosques, either originally constructed as such or converted from a church.
The Ömeriye Mosque, formerly known as the Augustinian Church of Saint Mary is a mosque in the walled city of Nicosia on the island of [[Place:Cyprus|Cyprus]], currently located in the south section of Nicosia.<ref name="TDV"/> Following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the mosque gained significance as one of the most important sites of Muslim worship in the non-Muslim section of the island and the city.<ref name="TDV">{{cite journal|last1=Çiçek|first1=Kemal|title=LEFKOŞE, published by Türk Diyanet Vakfı(Turkish Religious Affairs Association), Location: Gazimağusa, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus|journal=İslam Ansiklopedisi (Encyclopedia of Islam)|date=1997|volume=27|page=126|url=http://www.tdvia.org/dia/ayrmetin.php?idno=270126|access-date=25 September 2016}}</ref>
Currently, the mosque is functioning and open for both worshippers and visitors.<ref name="History Köseoğlu"/><ref name="Vesna Maric"/>

Formerly, the site of the mosque was occupied by the Augustinian Church of Saint Mary, which dated back to the 14th century. During the Ottoman-Venetian War of 1570-73, the church was first heavily damaged during the siege of Nicosia in 1570, and was eventually levelled after the war.<ref name="History Köseoğlu">{{cite news|url=http://www.dunyabizim.com/dunyada-kultur/13034/kuzeyle-guney-arasinda-kopru-lefkosa-video-haber|publisher=Kuzey Haber Ajansı - KKTC (Northern News Agency - TRNC)|title=Kuzey ile Güney arasında köprü: Lefkoşa|date=11 April 2013|access-date=24 September 2016|author=Derya Köseoğlu}}</ref>

After the Turkish conquest of Cyprus, Lala Mustafa Pasha, the Ottoman commander, ordered a mosque to be built on the site of the former church,<ref name="History Köseoğlu"/> based on a popular belief that Umar, second caliph of Islam, was buried at this site in 7th century.<ref name="Vesna Maric">{{cite book|last1=Maric|first1=Vesna|title=Cyprus|date=2009|publisher=LonelyPlanet|pages=72–73|isbn=9781741048032|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6BKlnz-TResC&q=%C3%B6meriye+camii+k%C4%B1br%C4%B1s&pg=PA72|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref>

According to Turkish Cypriot folklore, the Ömeriye Mosque is the first mosque where Turks prayed on the island following its conquest in 1571.<ref name="Haber7">{{cite news|url=http://www.haber7.com/kibris/haber/1165426-kibris-rum-kesiminde-51-yil-sonra-ilk-namaz|publisher=Haber 7|title=Kıbrıs Rum Kesimi'nde 51 Yıl sonra İlk Namaz (First Prayer in Greek Section of Cyprus After 51 Years)|date=4 June 2014|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img28 Cyprus Museum.jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of Cyprus Archeological Museum in Nicosia|[[Organization:Cyprus Museum|Cypriot Archeological Museum]]]]
[[File:Leventis Gallery, Nicosia, Cyprus. Adamantios Diamantis - The World of Cyprus-1.jpg|thumb|left|''The World of Cyprus'', an acrylic painting with a total length of 17.5 meters by Adamantios Diamantis in Leventis Gallery]]
The [[Organization:Cyprus Museum|Cyprus Museum]] is the largest and oldest archaeological museum in Cyprus. In old Nicosia, the Ethnological Museum (Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion) is the most important example of surviving urban architecture of the late Ottoman rule. Today, the mansion which was awarded the Europa Nostra prize for its exemplary renovation work, functions as a museum where a collection of artifacts from the Byzantine, Medieval and Ottoman periods are displayed. Other museums in Nicosia include the [[Biology:Cyprus Museum of Natural History|Cyprus Museum of Natural History]] and the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia and Von World Pens Hall in the south. In the north, the Dervish Pasha Mansion, similar in architecture to the Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion, serves as an ethnological museum, displaying Ottoman and archaeological artifacts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dervish Pasha Mansion|url=http://www.eemd.gov.ct.tr/en-us/dervishpashamansionethnographischesmuseum.aspx|publisher=TRNC Department of Antiquities|access-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102044633/http://www.eemd.gov.ct.tr/en-us/dervishpashamansionethnographischesmuseum.aspx|archive-date=2 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other museums include the Lusignan House,<ref>{{cite web|title=Lusignan House|url=http://www.eemd.gov.ct.tr/en-us/lusignanhouse.aspx|publisher=TRNC Department of Antiquities|access-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102044604/http://www.eemd.gov.ct.tr/en-us/lusignanhouse.aspx|archive-date=2 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Mevlevi Tekke Museum, associated with the sect of the Whirling Dervishes,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mevlevi Tekke Museum|url=http://www.eemd.gov.ct.tr/en-us/mevlevitekkemuseum.aspx|publisher=TRNC Department of Antiquities|access-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102043957/http://www.eemd.gov.ct.tr/en-us/mevlevitekkemuseum.aspx|archive-date=2 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Lapidary Museum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lapidary Museum|url=http://www.eemd.gov.ct.tr/en-us/lapidarymuseum.aspx|publisher=TRNC Department of Antiquities|access-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102044618/http://www.eemd.gov.ct.tr/en-us/lapidarymuseum.aspx|archive-date=2 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Art galleries in Nicosia include the Leventis Gallery, which hosts over 800 paintings from Cypriot, Greek or European artists.

Nicosia offers a wide variety of musical and theatrical events, organized either by the municipality or independent organizations. Halls and theatres used for this purpose include:
*The Cyprus National Theatre, which contains two performance spaces:<ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/theatres/thoc-theatre/ The Cyprus National Theatre at nicosia.org.cy] Accessed 2 February 2017</ref>
**the 550-seat Lyric Theater with a bold exterior but an intimate theatrical environment. Its design minimizes the distance from actor to audience;
**the 150-seat New Theater, which is an open-ended workshop space, with simple galleries around the room. The stage can be set in the center, at the ends, or to one side of the room, and the space can be opened to the private garden beyond.
*The Pallas Cinema-Theatre which was renovated from a near derelict state in 2008.<ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/theatres/pallas/ Pallas Cinema-Theatre at nicosia.org.cy] Accessed 2 February 2017</ref>
*Theatro Ena<ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/theatres/theatre-one/ Theatro Ena at nicosia.org.cy] Accessed 2 February 2017</ref>
*Maskarini Theatre<ref>[http://www.maskarini.com Maskarini Theatre ay maskarini.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916034512/http://maskarini.com/ |date=16 September 2017 }} Accessed 2 February 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/theatres/maskarini/ Maskarini Theatre at nicosia.org.cy] Accessed 2 February 2017</ref>
*Dionysos Theatre<ref>[http://www.theatrodionysos.org/ Dionysos Theatre at theatrodionysos.org] Accessed 2 February 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/theatres/dionysos/ Dionysos Theatre at nicosia.org.cy] Accessed 2 February 2017</ref>
*Melina Mercouri Hall<ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/municipality/civil-marriages/places/48565/ Melina Mercouri Hall at nicosia.org.cy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021051821/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/municipality/civil-marriages/places/48565/ |date=21 October 2018 }} Accessed 2 February 2017</ref> 
*Theatro Dentro
Nicosia's universities also boast an array of facilities, and many churches and outdoor spaces are used to host cultural events.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} The Near East University hosts the Atatürk Cultural and Conference Centre, with 700 seats.<ref>{{cite web|title=Atatürk Kültür ve Kongre Merkezi|url=http://old.neu.edu.tr/tr/node/25|publisher=Near East University|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100132/http://old.neu.edu.tr/tr/node/25|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nicosia hosted the Miss Universe 2000 pageant.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyprus to host Miss Universe in millennium|publisher=Agence France Press|date=1 July 1999}}</ref>

In June 2011, Nicosia launched a failed campaign to become the [[Place:European Capital of Culture|European Capital of Culture]] for 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://citiesintransition.posterous.com/nicosia-cyprus-presents-candidacy-for-europea |title=Nicosia-Cyprus presents candidacy for European Cultural Capital |publisher=Citiesintransition.posterous.com |access-date=10 March 2012}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Panoramic view University of Cyprus Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|Section of the modern buildings of the University of Cyprus (UCY)]]
[[File:Melkonian entrance.JPG|thumb|upright|left|An entrance to the Melkonian Educational Institute]]
Nicosia has a large student community as it is the seat of five universities, the University of Cyprus (UCY), the University of Nicosia, the European University Cyprus, the Open University of Cyprus and Frederick University.

Nicosia is also home to one of the largest historic Armenian schools, the Melkonian Educational Institute established in 1926 which operated until 2005. The Melkonian Institution was created as an orphanage in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1923.

==Economy==
[[File:Cyprus central bank Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Photo of Central Bank of Cyprus in Nicosia|Central Bank of Cyprus]]
[[File:Nicosia Financial quarter just after sunset Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|View of Nicosia Financial Quarter]]
Nicosia is the financial and business heart of Cyprus. The city hosts the headquarters of all Cypriot banks, namely the former Cyprus Popular Bank (also known as Laiki Bank), Bank of Cyprus, and the Hellenic Bank. Further, the Central Bank of Cyprus is located in the Acropolis area of the Cypriot capital. A number of international businesses base their Cypriot headquarters in Nicosia, such as the big four accounting firms [[Company:PricewaterhouseCoopers|PWC]], [[Company:Deloitte|Deloitte]], KPMG and Ernst & Young. International technology companies such as [[Company:NCR Corporation|NCR]] and [[Company:TSYS|TSYS]] have their regional headquarters in Nicosia. The city is also home to local financial newspapers such as the Financial Mirror and Stockwatch. Cyprus Airways had its head offices in the entrance of Makariou Avenue.<ref>[http://cyprusair.com/498,0,0,0,2-Addresses.aspx Addresses] Cyprus Airways</ref> According to a recent [[Company:UBS|UBS]] survey in August 2011, Nicosia is the wealthiest per capita city of the [[Place:Eastern Mediterranean|Eastern Mediterranean]] and the tenth richest city in the world by purchasing power in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/economics/usb-purchasing-power.html |title=The most expensive and richest cities in the world – A report by UBS |publisher=Citymayors.com |date=18 August 2011 |access-date=10 March 2012}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Solomos Bus Station by night Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of buses at Solomou Square in Nicosia|Public buses in Solomos Square]]
Nicosia is linked with other major cities in Cyprus via a modern motorway network. The A1 connects Nicosia with Limassol in the south with the A6 going from Limassol onto Paphos.
The A2 links Nicosia with the south eastern city of [[Place:Larnaca|Larnaca]] with the A3 going from Larnaca to Ayia Napa. The A9 connects Nicosia to the west Nicosia district villages and the Troodos mountains. The capital is also linked to the 2 international airports: [[Biology:Larnaca International Airport|Larnaca International Airport]] and Paphos International Airport. (Nicosia International Airport ceased commercial operations in 1974; it is located within the Green Line buffer zone, and is used as the headquarters of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.) Ercan International Airport is 13 kilometres away from Nicosia. Flights to the airport are banned internationally due to the ongoing Cyprus dispute. Non-stop flights only take place from Turkey, and all planes that fly to Northern Cyprus from other countries have to stop over in Turkey. <ref name="auto1"> {{cite news|title=Students Flock to Universities in Northern Cyprus|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/17/world/europe/students-flock-to-universities-in-northern-cyprus.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|date = 16 February 2014|access-date=25 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905165507/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/17/world/europe/students-flock-to-universities-in-northern-cyprus.html?_r=0|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live|last1 = Güsten|first1 = Susanne}}</ref>

Public transport within the city is served by a new bus service. Bus services in Nicosia are run by OSEL.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.osel.com.cy/index.php?link=index.php |title=Οργανισμός Συγκοινωνιών Επαρχίας Λευκωσίας |publisher=Osel.com.cy |access-date=21 July 2012 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226114253/http://www.osel.com.cy/index.php?link=index.php%20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the northern part, the company of LETTAŞ provides this service.<ref name=starkblettas>{{cite web | url = http://www.starkibris.net/index.asp?haberID=7588 | title = Kurban bayramı yarın başlıyor | access-date = 28 April 2012 | publisher = Star Kıbrıs | date = 19 December 2007 }}</ref> Many taxi companies operate in Nicosia. Fares are regulated by law and taxi drivers are obliged to use a [[Engineering:Taximeter|taximeter]].

In 2010, as part of the Nicosia Integrated Mobility Plan, a pre-feasibility study for a proposed tram network has taken place and sponsored by the Ministry of Communications and Works. The study compared two scenarios, with and without the operation of a tramway in terms of emitted polluting loads.<ref>{{in lang|el}} [http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/mcw.nsf/All/07E87A85E80AD127C225781C0043861D/$file/IMMP%20Final%20Report%20Appendices.pdf THE NICOSIA INTEGRATED MOBILITY MASTER PLAN] REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS – Ministry of Communications and Works</ref>

In 2011, the Nicosia Municipality introduced the Bike in Action scheme, a bicycle sharing system which covers the Greater Nicosia area. The scheme is run by the Inter-Municipal Bicycle Company of Nicosia (DEPL).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.podilatoendrasi.com.cy/frontoffice/portal.asp?cpage=NODE&cnode=1&clang=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226084005/http://www.podilatoendrasi.com.cy/frontoffice/portal.asp?cpage=NODE&cnode=1&clang=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 December 2011 |title=Ποδηλατο Εν Δρασει / Home |publisher=Podilatoendrasi.com.cy |access-date=21 July 2012 }}</ref>

There is no train network in Cyprus. Plans for the creation of an intercity railway are under way. The first railway line on the island was the Cyprus Government Railway which operated from 1905 to 1951. It was closed down due to financial reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://famagusta-gazette.com/study-underway-for-cyprus-railway-network-p12204-69.htm |title= Study underway for Cyprus railway network |work=Famagusta Gazette|date=12 June 2011 |access-date=13 June 2012}}</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:QNM 2010 - Start of Marathon.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Start of Quantum Nicosia Marathon 2010 at the Famagusta Gate]]
[[File:Field club tennis courts in central old part of Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of field club tennis court in Nicosia|Field club tennis courts]]

Football is the most popular sport in Cyprus, and Nicosia is home of three major teams of the island; APOEL, Omonia and Olympiakos. APOEL and Omonia are dominant in Cypriot football. There are also many other football clubs in Nicosia and the suburbs. The city also hosts Çetinkaya, Yenicami, Küçük Kaymaklı and Gönyeli, four of the major Turkish Cypriot clubs. Nicosia is also home to AGBU Ararat Nicosia FC, the island's only Armenian FC.

Nicosia is also the home for many clubs for basketball, handball and other sports. APOEL and Omonia have basketball and volleyball sections and Keravnos is one of the major basketball teams on the island. The Gymnastic Club Pancypria (GSP), the owner of the Neo GSP Stadium, is one of the major athletics clubs on the island. Also, all teams in the Futsal First Division are from Nicosia. In addition, two handball teams, European University and SPE Strovolou, are located in Nicosia.

Nicosia has some of the biggest venues on the island; the Neo GSP Stadium, with a capacity of 23,400, is the home for the national team, APOEL, Olympiakos and Omonia. Makario Stadium has a capacity of 16,000. In the north, the Nicosia Atatürk Stadium has a capacity of 28,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Stadiums - Stadiums in Northern Cyprus |url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/middle_east/countries/north_cyprus.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015062628/http://www.worldstadiums.com/middle_east/countries/north_cyprus.shtml |archive-date=2007-10-15 |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=worldstadiums.com}}</ref>
The Eleftheria Indoor Hall is the biggest basketball stadium in Cyprus, with a capacity of 6,500 seats, and is the home for the national team, APOEL and Omonia. The Lefkotheo indoor arena is the volleyball stadium for APOEL and Omonia.

The Nicosia Marathon took place in 2010 and 2012, organized by Athanasios Ktorides Foundation, and attracted more than 7,000 participants.<ref name="NM">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nicosiamarathon.com/index.aspx?Language=ENG |title=Nicosia Marathon |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=1 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401111503/http://www.nicosiamarathon.com/Index.aspx?Language=ENG |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="FM">{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialmirror.com/2012/12/10/sports-voyiatzis-wins-nicosia-marathon/|title=SPORTS: Voyiatzis wins Nicosia marathon|date=10 December 2012|website=Financial Mirror}}</ref>

Nicosia hosted the 2000 ISSF World Cup Final shotgun shooting events. Also, the city hosted two basketball events; the European Saporta Cup in 1997 and the 2005 FIBA Europe All-Star Game in the Eleftheria Indoor Hall. Another event that was hosted in Nicosia was the Games of the Small States of Europe in 1989 and 2009.

==Notable people==
[[File:Christopher Pissarides.jpg|thumb|200px|Christopher A. Pissarides, Nobel Prize winner in Economics]]
* Peter I of Cyprus (1328–1369), King of Cyprus
* Kıbrıslı Mehmed Kamil Pasha (1833–1913), Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire
* Fazıl Küçük (1906–1984), former Vice President of the Republic of Cyprus (1960–1963)
* Glafkos Klerides (1919–2013), former President of the Republic of Cyprus (1993–2003)
* Tassos Papadopoulos (1934–2008), former President of the Republic of Cyprus (2003–2008)
* Marios Garoyian, former President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus (2008–2011)
* Benon Sevan, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (1992–2005) and the Head of the Oil for Food program (1996–2005)
* Nicos Tornaritis, politician and jurist, member of the House of Representatives and Consultant of the Republic of Cyprus
* Neoklis Kyriazis (1877–1956), historian and member of the National Council of Cyprus
* [[Biography:Alparslan Türkeş|Alparslan Türkeş]] (1917–1997), Turkish nationalist politician, founder of the Nationalist Movement Party in Turkey
* Kutlu Adalı (1935–1996), journalist, poet and socio-political researcher and peace advocate
* Christopher A. Pissarides, Nobel Prize winner in Economics
* Mustafa Djamgoz, professor of cancer biology at [[Organization:Imperial College London|Imperial College London]]
* Manoug Parikian (1920–1987), violinist and violin professor in the UK
* Suat Günsel (born 1952), businessman and founder of the [[Organization:Near East University|Near East University]]
* Nicolas Economou (1953–1993), concert pianist, composer, arranger, conductor and organizer of music festivals
* Mick Karn (1958–2011), musician
* Sevgül Uludağ (born 1958), journalist, activist
* Alkinoos Ioannidis (born 1969), singer
* Michalis Hatzigiannis (born 1978), singer
* Michael Bisping (born 1979), mixed martial artist
* Diam's (born 1980), French rap singer
* Stephanie Solomonides (born 1982), first Cypriot to reach North and South Poles
* Giorgos Papadopoulos (born 1985), composer, singer
* Hovig (born 1989), singer, represented Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017
* Hazar Ergüçlü (born 1992), actress on the Turkish drama Medcezir
* Aleksandar Vezenkov (born 1995), basketball player
* Vladimiros Tziortzis (born 1997), racing driver

==Twin towns – sister cities==
Nicosia is twinned with:<ref name=twinnings>{{cite web|title=Twinnings|url=https://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/municipality/twins/|publisher=Nicosia Municipality|access-date=2020-12-12}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*{{flagicon|GRC}} [[Place:Athens|Athens]], Greece (1988)
*{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Place:Bucharest|Bucharest]], Romania (2004)
*{{flagicon|QAT}} [[Place:Doha|Doha]], Qatar
*{{flagicon|TUR}} İzmir, Turkey
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Place:Ankara|Ankara]], Turkey
*{{flagicon|UKR}} Odesa, Ukraine (1996)
*{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Place:Shiraz|Shiraz]], Iran (1999)
{{div col end}}

===Friendly cities===
<!--cities which don't list Nicosia as their twin town-->
Nicosia also cooperates with:<ref name=twinnings/>
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Place:Schwerin|Schwerin]], Germany (1974)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Place:Shanghai|Shanghai]], China (1999)

==See also==
* [[Place:North Nicosia|North Nicosia]]
* List of divided cities
* United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
* Nicosia Music Society
* [[Biology:List of shopping malls in Cyprus|List of shopping malls in Cyprus]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080613062932/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/ Nicosia Municipality (south) website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111002134117/http://www.lefkosaturkbelediyesi.org/english/index_eng.html Nicosia Municipality (north) website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051210164225/http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/sigoinonies.shtm Nicosia Municipality website – Transportation]
* [http://www.cyprusisland.com/01_Information/nicosia.htm Cyprus Island – Nicosia]
* [http://www.kypros.org/ The World of Cyprus] bilingual information portal with background on folk culture and Byzantine influences

==Bibliography==

==External links==
* [http://www.nicosia.org.cy/ English-language website for Municipality of Nicosia (Λευκωσια)]
*{{Wikivoyage-inline}}
*[http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/cyprus/nicosia/nicosia.html Old maps of Nicosia], Historic Cities [http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/historic_cities.html site]
* [http://www.visitnicosia.com.cy Nicosia Tourism Board]



[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]

{{Sourceattribution|Nicosia}}