Across the centuries, Nicosia has been known by different names in the languages spoken in Cyprus: Λευκωσία (Lefkosía) in Greek, Lefkoşa (Lefkosha) in Turkish, Նիկոսիա (Nicosia) in Armenian, and نيقوسيا (Nikusiya) in Cypriot Maronite Arabic/Sanna.
Until 7th century AD, Salamis was the capital of Cyprus. Nicosia began to develop into the administrative capital of the island during the Arab invasions (7th-10th century AD).
Whilst Cyprus was under Venetian rule (1489-1571), the Venetians decided to fortify the city by building the famous Walls of Nicosia. The Venetian walls have three gates: Famagusta Gate, Kyrenia Gate and Paphos Gate.
Under Ottoman rule (1571-1878), Cyprus further developed into a “cultural tapestry” characterised by a multiplicity of identities, languages, religions, and cultures, with Nicosia as its cosmopolitan epicentre. Greek-speaking, Turkish-speaking, Armenian, Maronite, Roma, Afro and Latin Cypriots congregated together in marketplaces (bazaars), hans, and hammams. Many neighbourhoods (mahalle) such as Tahtakale and Ömeriye were also quite mixed.
Nicosia’s importance to Cypriots is reflected in her alternative name of “Hora” (“The Country”) in Greek. In the same vein, London is the “Hora” of Cypriots in the UK, as it holds the highest concentrated population of Cypriots in the UK and the diaspora as a whole. Despite being over 2000 miles apart, both cities are held close in Cypriots’ hearts for they both represent a history of co-existence and kinship between communities.
1. Historic Maps of Nicosia from 1573-1615 by Akis Pattihis
2. A trilingual map made for a 4 day tour of Cypriot Artists’ Workshop Studios – 2011
3. Marios Epaminondas at a tourist information map
4. Birds Eye View of the Old Walled City – early 1950s
5. Bayram at Sarayönü Square (previously Konak Square) by Avedissian Bros – 1931
6. Ledra Street – early 1950s
7. Metaxas Square (now Eleftheria Square) – early 1950s
8. Arasta Sokak towards Selimiye Cami/Agia Sofia Cathedral from Haber Kıbrıs
9. Somewhere in the Old Walled City – early 1950s
10. Children in the street – 1890 from Cypriot Textiles by Eleni Papademetriou
ΚαληMeraba 