Nicosia
is the capital of Cyprus, a status
it has enjoyed for more than 1000
years since the 10th century. As
the seat of Government, diplomatic
headquarters and cultural centre
of Cyprus, Nicosia lies roughly
in the centre of the island in
the Mesaoria Plain, flanked by
the beautiful northern range of
Kyrenia mountains.
The capital presents itself with
two distinct identities; the old,
original part of the city, surrounded
by sturdy Venetian walls over 400
years old, and a busy modern urban
metropolis with a population of
more than 150,000. The central
Eleftheria Square links old Nicosia
with the modern city of hotels,
offices and restaurants that stand
side by side with the gardens,
fine old houses and colonial buildings
of another era.
While visiting Nicosia, be sure
not to miss the house of Hadjigeorgakis
Kornessios, originally a Venetian
building and probably the most
important 18th century building
in Nicosia. The Cyprus Museum holds
fascinating collection of Cypriot
antiquities and art treasures from
the Neolithic Age to the early
Byzantine Period. Nearby to Nicosia,
the ancient city kingdom of Idalion
has not yet been fully excavated,
but outside the present village
of Dhali, part of the ancient walls
of the city can be seen. At the
nearby village of Perachorio the
church of the Holy Apostles contains
very beautiful 12th century frescoes.
Phikardou is just 1 1/2 km east
of Gourri village, just off the
road Makhairas-Nicosia Via Klirou.
The whole village has been declared
an ancient 'monument' in order
to preserve the remarkable woodwork
and folk architecture of the 18th
century houses.
With a recent history of a divided
island, a United Nations monitored
Green Line that runs through the
city of Nicosia separates the Turkish
north from the Greek south. Partition
occurred in 1974 after ethnic tension
erupted into conflict in 1974.
Cyprus remains the only divided
nation in the world since the fall
of the Berlin Wall.
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