View source for Nicosia

{{short description|Capital and largest city of Cyprus}}
{{about|the capital city of the Republic of Cyprus|the northern part|North Nicosia|other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Nicosia
| native_name        = {{hlist|{{native name|el|Λευκωσία|italics=no}}|{{native name|tr|Lefkoşa|italics=no}}}}
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus#District capital cities|Capital city]] and [[List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus#Municipalities|municipality]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | border      = infobox
  | total_width = 300
  | perrow      = 1/2/3/1
  | image1      = Nicosia's skyline 2024.jpg
  | image2      = Socratous Street old Nicosia view towards Ledra Street Republic of Cyprus.jpg
  | image3      = Eleftherias Square 5.jpg
  | image4      =Nicosia door.jpg
  | image5      = Picturised old traditional houses Nicosia Republic of Cyprus 2011 August 20.jpg
  | image6      = Christmas Fair in Nicosia.jpg
  | image7      = Makariou Avenue by night panoramic picture during Christmas Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.JPG}}
| imagesize          = 300px
| image_caption      = '''Left to right:''' Nicosia skyline from [[Shacolas Tower]]; [[Ledra Street]] from Socratous Street; [[Eleftheria square|Eleftheria Square]]; door in the Old Town; Venetian Homes; Nicosia Christmas fair at [[Eleftheria square|Eleftheria Square]]; [[Makariou Avenue, Nicosia|Makariou Avenue]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Nicosia.svg
| image_seal         = 
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Nicosia.jpg
| nickname           = "Chora" <small>in Greek: "Χώρα"</small><ref>{{Cite web |last=Constantinides |first=Marie |date=2022-05-13 |title='Chora' – Nicosia, through the eyes and the inimitable palette of Ioannis Kissonerghis |url=https://mosaic.gr/chora-nicosia-through-the-eyes-and-the-inimitable-palette-of-ioannis-kissonerghis/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Mosaic |language=en-US}}</ref>
| motto              = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = 300px
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within [[Cyprus]]##Location within the [[Eastern Mediterranean]]##Location within the [[European Union]]##Location within [[Asia]]
| pushpin_map        = Cyprus#Mediterranean east#European_Union#Asia
| pushpin_relief     = y
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|10|21|N|33|21|54|E|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Claimed by
| subdivision_name   = &nbsp;
| subdivision_type1  = {{nobold|[[List of sovereign states|Country]] (''[[de jure]]'')}}
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Republic of Cyprus}}
| subdivision_type2  = {{nobold|•&nbsp;[[Districts of Cyprus|District]]}}
| subdivision_name2  = [[Nicosia District]]
| subdivision_type3  = {{nobold|[[List of sovereign states#Other states|Country]] (''[[North Nicosia|northern part]], [[de facto]]'')}}
| subdivision_name3  = {{flag|Northern Cyprus}}<ref>{{Northern Cyprus-note}}</ref>
| subdivision_type4  = {{nobold|•&nbsp;[[Districts of Northern Cyprus|District]]}}
| subdivision_name4  = [[Lefkoşa District]]
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| seat_type          = 
| seat               = 
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_title1      = Mayor of [[Nicosia Municipality]]
| leader_name1       = [[Charalambos Prountzos]] ([[Independent (politician)|Ind.]])
| leader_title2      = Mayor of [[Nicosia Turkish Municipality]]
| leader_name2       = [[Mehmet Harmancı]]
| unit_pref          = Metric
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Cyprus: Nicosia Urban Agglomeration (Municipalities, Communities and Quarters) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/cyprus/nicosia/admin/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>
| area_note          = 
| area_rank          = 
| area_blank2_title  = Urban ([[North Nicosia|North]])
| area_blank2_km2    = 165.6
| area_total_km2     = 20.08
| area_urban_km2     = 153.11
| area_blank1_title  = [[List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus#Municipalities 2|Municipality]] ([[North Nicosia|North]])
| area_blank1_km2    = 51.87
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 220
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=HOUSING UNITS AND POPULATION ENUMERATED BY DISTRICT AND URBAN/RURAL AREA (1.10.2021), PRELIMINARY RESULTS |url=https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https://library.cystat.gov.cy/NEW/POP_CEN_21-PRE_RESULTS-URBRUR_COMP-EN-040823.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=view.officeapps.live.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HOUSING UNITS AND POPULATION ENUMERATED BY DISTRICT, MOUNICIPALITY/COMMUNITY (1.10.2021), PRELIMINARY RESULTS |url=https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https://library.cystat.gov.cy/NEW/POP_CEN_21-PRE_RESULTS-MUNCOM_COMP-EN-040823.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=view.officeapps.live.com}}</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   = 56848|
| population_urban   = 256119
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| population_as_of   = 2021, 2011 ([[North Nicosia|North]])
| population_rank    = [[List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus#Municipalities|3rd]] municipality,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING 2021: PRELIMINARY RESULTS BY DISTRICT AND MUNICIPALITY/COMMUNITY |url=https://library.cystat.gov.cy/NEW/Census2021-Preliminary_Results-EN-040823.pdf |access-date=2024-03-10}}</ref> [[List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus#District capital cities|1st]] urban in Cyprus
| population_blank1_title = [[List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus#Municipalities 2|Municipality]] ([[North Nicosia|North]])
| population_blank1  = 61378
| population_blank2_title = Urban ([[North Nicosia|North]])
| population_blank2  = 82929
| population_density_blank2_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Nicosian(s) ([[English language|en]])<br>''Lefkosiatis'', (masc.), ''Lefkosiatissa'' (fem.) ([[Greek language|gr]]), ''Choraitis'', (masc.), ''Choraitissa'' (fem.) (gr, colloquial)
| 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, Cyprus|Yeri]]. The north's includes [[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   = [[Postal codes in Cyprus|Post code]]
| postal_code        = 1010–1107
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Cyprus|Area code]]
| area_code          = 22
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:CY|CY-01]]
| website            = {{ubl|{{nowrap|(Nicosia) {{URL|www.nicosia.org.cy}}}}|{{nowrap|(North) {{URL|www.lefkosabelediyesi.org}}}}}}
| footnotes          = 
| official_name      = 
| total_type         = [[List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus#Municipalities|Municipality]]
}}

'''Nicosia''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˌ|n|ɪ|k|ə|ˈ|s|iː|ə}}}} also known as '''Lefkosia'''{{efn|[[Greek language|Greek]]: {{lang|el|{{linktext|Λευκωσία}}}}; {{IPA|el|lɛfko'siɐ|pron}}}} and '''Lefkoşa''',{{efn|[[Turkish language|Turkish]]: {{IPA|tr|lefkoʃa|pron|small=yes}}}} is the capital and largest city of [[Cyprus]]. It is the southeasternmost of all [[EU member states]]' capital cities.

Nicosia has been continuously inhabited for over 4,500 years and has been the capital of Cyprus since the 10th century. It is the last divided capital in Europe; three years after Cyprus [[London and Zürich Agreements|gained independence from British rule]] in 1960, the [[Bloody Christmas (1963)|Bloody Christmas]] conflict between [[Greek Cypriots]] and [[Turkish Cypriots]] triggered {{nowrap|island-wide}} [[Cypriot_intercommunal_violence#Crisis_of_1963–1964|intercommunal violence]], and Nicosia's Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities segregated into its south and [[North Nicosia|north]] respectively in 1964. A decade later, [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkey invaded Cyprus]] following [[1974 Cypriot coup d'état|Greece's successful attempt]] to [[Enosis|take over the island]]. The leaders of the takeover would later step down, but the dividing line running through Nicosia (and the rest of the island, interrupted only briefly by [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia|British military bases]]) became a [[demilitarized zone|demilitarised zone]] that remains under the control of Cyprus while heavily policed by the [[United Nations]]; it is now known as the [[United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus]] between the Republic of Cyprus, which is internationally [[Diplomatic recognition|recognised]], and [[Northern Cyprus]], which is recognised only by Turkey. The ongoing dispute between the two communities is known as the [[Cyprus problem]].

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> In the 2022 [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network|GaWC]] ranking, Nicosia was classified as a "Beta '''−'''" city ({{lit|[[global city]]}}).<ref>{{cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2022 |url=https://x.com/GaWC/status/1697034411714158980 |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=Twitter |publisher=Globalization and World Cities}}</ref>

==Names<span class="anchor" id="Name"></span><span class="anchor" id="Etymology"></span><span class="anchor" id="Toponymy"></span>==

The earliest mention of the city is on a clay prism{{clarify|date=February 2024}} of the [[Assyrian Empire|Assyrian]] [[list of emperors of Assyria|king]] [[Esarhaddon]] dated to {{nowrap|672 BC,}} which calls it Lidir.{{clarify|date=February 2024}}<!--Assyrian form?--> The local form of the name was later variously [[Hellenization of place names|hellenized]] as '''Ledra''' ({{langx|grc|Λήδρα}}, ''Lḗdra''),{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Ledrae ({{lang|grc|Λέδραι}}, ''Lédrai''),{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=379}} Ledroi ({{lang|grc|Λήδροι}}, ''Lḗdroi''),{{sfnp|Michaelides & al.|2012}} and Ledron ({{lang|grc|Λεδρῶν}}, ''Ledrō̂n'', and {{lang|grc|Λῆδρον}}, ''Lē̂dron'').{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=379}}

By [[late antiquity]], [[early Christianity|early Christian sources]] were recording the location as Leuteon ({{lang|grc|Λευτεῶν}}, ''Leuteō̂n'') and as Leucon ({{lang|grc|Λευκῶν}}, ''Leukō̂n''),<ref name=sternburg/> Leucotheon ({{lang|grc|Λευκοθέον}}, ''Leukothéon''), Leucoi Theoi ({{lang|grc|Λευκοί Θεοί}}, ''Leukoí Theoí''),{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=379}} and Leucopolis ({{lang|grc|Λευκούπολις}}, ''Leukoúpolis''),{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=380}} incorporating forms of the [[ancient Greek language|Greek]] words for "white" ({{lang|grc|{{linktext|λευκός}}}}, ''leukós'') or "[[populus|poplar]]" ({{lang|grc|{{linktext|λεύκη}}}}, ''leúkē'') and for "[[God the Father|God]]" ({{lang|grc|{{linktext|Θεός}}}}, ''Theós''), "[[Greek gods|god]]" ({{lang|grc|{{linktext|θεός}}}}, ''theós''), or "[[Greek goddesses|goddess]]" ({{lang|grc|{{linktext|θεᾱ́}}}}, ''theá''), with possible allusion to a supposed son of [[Ptolemy I Soter]]{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=379}} or to the [[sea goddess]] [[Leucothea]]. During the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine period]], the form '''Leucosia''' ({{lang|grc|Λευκουσία}}, ''Leukousía''){{mdash}}usually parsed as intending "the white estate" ({{lang|grc|{{linktext|ἡ}} {{linktext|λευκή}} {{linktext|οὐσία}}}}, ''hē leukḗ ousía''){{mdash}}became common;{{sfnp|Papacostas|2012|pp=87-88}} this developed into [[modern Greek language|modern Greek]] Lefkosia ({{lang|el|Λευκωσία}}, ''Lefkosía'', {{IPA-el|lefkoˈsi.a|}}){{sfnp|Hill|1939|pp=380-381}} and [[Turkish language|Turkish]] Lefkoşa ({{IPA|tr|lefˈkoʃa|}}).

The [[Latin language|Latin]] and [[English language|English]] name Nicosia appeared under the medieval [[Crusades|Crusader]] [[House of Lusignan|Lusignan dynasty]],{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=380}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Muir |first=Diana Jean |title=Templars: Who Were They? Where Did They Go? |volume=2 |date=2019 |publisher=LULU COM |isbn=978-0-359-38286-6 |pages=404 |oclc=1098320808}}</ref> around the same time the Cypriot port [[Limassol]] replaced its previous initial N with an L for similarly unknown reasons.{{sfnp|Hill|1939|pp=376-377}} [[Sir George Hill|Hill]] provides several other examples of interchanging /l/ and /n/ as far back as the [[Phoenician Cyprus|Phoenician Cypriots]], suggesting the exchange may have arisen from a variable native pronunciation.{{sfnp|Hill|1939|pp=376-377}} The name is also preserved as the [[Armenian language|Armenian]] '''Nikosia''' ({{lang|hy|Նիկոսիա}}) and the [[Cypriot Arabic]] '''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... |date=1997 |publisher=Eisenbrauns |first2=Alan S. |last2=Kaye |first3=Peter T. |last3=Daniels |isbn=978-1-57506-507-6 |location=[[Winona Lake, Indiana|Winona Lake]] |pages=228 |oclc=605125544}}</ref>{{clarify|date=February 2024}}<!--Arabic script form should be provided-->

The town also appears as Callinicesis ({{lang|grc|Καλλινικησις}}, ''Kallinikēsis'', or {{lang|grc|Καλλινεικησις}}, ''Kallineikēsis'') in some of the [[hagiographies]] concerning the saints [[Saint Tryphillius|Tryphillius]] and [[Saint Spyridon|Spyridon]] ({{fl.|4th century}}).{{sfnp|Hill|1939|pp=379-380}}

==History==
{{For timeline}}

===Prehistoric Nicosia===
{{main|Ledra}}
Nicosia has been in continuous habitation since around {{nowrap|2500 BC}} near the beginning of the [[Bronze Age]], 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>

The [[city-state]] of [[Ledra]] is similarly connected with the area of Nicosia, although the larger share of [[Mycenaean Greece|Mycenaean-era]] ruins in the area are at the broad hill of Ayia Paraskevi or Leondari Vounò {{convert|6|km|sp=us|abbr=on}} southeast of central Nicosia.{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=379}} Ledra is reported as one of the twelve kingdoms of ancient Cyprus built by [[Achaeans (tribe)|Achaeans]] after the end of the [[Trojan War]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=Nicosia {{!}} Cyprus, Map, History, & Population {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Nicosia |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> The kingdom was quickly destroyed. The Cypriot vassal state transcribed as "Lidir" in a 672 BC Assyrian text is generally identified with the remains which have been found nearer to the modern city.{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=379}} Its ruler Onasagoras{{clarify|date=February 2024}}<!--Assyrian form of name--> was recorded paying tribute to the [[Assyrian Empire|Assyrian]] [[list of Assyrian emperors|king]] [[Esarhaddon]].

===Ancient Nicosia===
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]].{{sfnp|Michaelides & al.|2012|p=52}} 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> Some sources record that it was restored and improved by Leucos, son of [[Ptolemy I Soter]] of [[Ptolemaid Egypt|Egypt]] around {{nowrap|280 BC,}}<ref>{{citation |last= |first= |contribution=[[:s:1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Nicosia (Cyprus)|Nicosia]] |title=[[Encyclopaedia Britannica]] |edition=11th |volume= |page= |date=1911 |editor=Hugh Chisholm |display-editors=0 |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. |location=New York }}.</ref><ref name=sternburg>{{citation |last=Sternberg |first=C. |title=North Cyprus Pocket Guide |publisher=Rüstem Bookshop |location= |year=2006|isbn=9789944968034 |page=29 }}.</ref> although [[Sir George Hill|Hill]] considered this an early modern "fancy" based solely on pseudoetymological speculations.{{sfnp|Hill|1939|p=379}}

In the 4th century, the town was the seat of a bishopric under the name Ledron, Leuteon, or Leucotheon. Its bishop [[Saint Tryphillius|St Tryphillius]] was a student of [[Saint Spyridon|St 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">{{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> and the presence of two or three [[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>

===Medieval Nicosia===
After the destruction of Cyprus's capital [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]] 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 [[Byzantine Empire]] to choose Nicosia as the capital of the island around 965, when the [[Byzantine navy]] restored full Byzantine control over the island and it was organized as a [[Theme of Cyprus|theme of the 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 and was the seat of the Byzantine governor of Cyprus. The last such governor was [[Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus|Isaac Komnenos]], who declared himself emperor on the island and ruled it 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>

[[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, Nicosia|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 [[Holy Land]] during the [[Third Crusade]] in 1187, [[Richard I of England]]'s fleet was plagued by storms, making him to stop 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 [[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, Nicosia|St. Sophia Cathedral]]. The tombs of the [[House of Lusignan|Lusignan kings]] can be found there.

[[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 [[Republic of Genoa]] and in 1426 from the [[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 [[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 [[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 [[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 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404134032/http://historymedren.about.com/library/text/bltxtcyprus5.htm |url-status=dead }}</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.{{sfnp|Theocharides & al.|2012|p=237}}<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 [[Church of Cyprus|Greek Archbishop]], the [[Dragoman]] and the [[Qadi]]. The {{lang|it|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 honor 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 neighborhoods was increased to 24. Each neighborhood was organized 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 [[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 [[Ottoman Empire]] during the [[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 neighborhoods.<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>

[[Nicosia International Airport]] was opened in 1947. It remained the location for the Air Station until its abandonment in 1974.

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 organization,<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=[[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=[[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===
{{see also|Modern history of Cyprus}}
[[File:Nicosia Eleftheria Ariadnis Street Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|Scheme for new pedestrianized streets in old Nicosia implemented after 2004]]
[[File:Nicosia, Cyprus (37581219510).jpg|thumb|Street in Nicosia close to the buffer zone]]

In 1960, Nicosia became the capital of the [[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, [[Cypriot intercommunal violence|intercommunal violence]] broke out between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Nicosia was divided into Greek and Turkish Cypriot quarters with the [[Green Line (Cyprus)|Green Line]], named after the color of the pen used by the [[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 [[1974 Cypriot coup d'état|an attempted coup d'état]] led by the [[Greek military junta of 1967–1974|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 [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|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 [[Northern Cyprus|Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]], that is recognized only by [[Turkey]] and seen by the international community as a part of the [[Cyprus|Republic of Cyprus]] but not under its effective control.

On 23 April 2003, the [[Ledra Palace]] crossing was opened through the [[United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus|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, Nicosia|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]] 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|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112525/http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/09/08/two-time-zones-cyprus-turkey-will-not-turn-clocks-back-next-month/|url-status=dead}}</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|archive-date=11 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111095723/http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/10/29/clocks-going-back-tonight/|url-status=dead}}</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===
Being in the [[rain shadow]] of the [[Troodos Mountains]], Nicosia has a [[hot semi-arid climate]] ([[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 [[Ice pellets|sleet]] but rarely by [[snow]]. The accumulation of snow is particularly rare (last events occurred in 1950, 1974, 1997, 2015 and 2022). There is occasionally light [[frost]] during the winter nights. On 4 September 2020, Nicosia recorded a temperature of {{convert|46.2|C|F|abbr=on|sp=us}}, 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 = 44.6
|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 precipitation mm = 53.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 41.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 29.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 21.1
|May precipitation mm = 26.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 14.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 4.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 1.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 10.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 24.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 39.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 64.1
|year precipitation mm = 330.2
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 24.3
|Feb precipitation days = 21.9
|Mar precipitation days = 15.9
|Apr precipitation days = 11.3
|May precipitation days = 9.4
|Jun precipitation days = 3.7
|Jul precipitation days = 1.5
|Aug precipitation days = 1.0
|Sep precipitation days = 2.8
|Oct precipitation days = 10.0
|Nov precipitation days = 13.0
|Dec precipitation days = 24.6
|year precipitation days = 139.4
|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
|Jan humidity = 76
|Feb humidity = 74
|Mar humidity = 68
|Apr humidity = 62
|May humidity = 58
|Jun humidity = 53
|Jul humidity = 53
|Aug humidity = 58
|Sep humidity = 59
|Oct humidity = 62
|Nov humidity = 69
|Dec humidity = 77
|year humidity = 64
|source 1 = [[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 = Athalassa Radiosonde Climate Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = [[NOAA]]
|language = en-us
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240420073348/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Cyprus/CSV/AthalassaRadiosonde_17607.csv
|archive-date = 2024-04-20}}</ref>}}

==Cityscape==
{{More citations needed section|date=January 2015}}
Nicosia held the unenviable position of being the capital city with the least green spaces in Europe, with only three percent of the city covered with trees.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2023 |title=Searching for shade and trees in Nicosia |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/09/24/searching-for-shade-and-trees-in-nicosia/ |access-date=27 June 2024 |publisher= [[Cyprus Mail]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== 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]]
[[File:Close to the buffer zone - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Street close to the Nicosia border]]
[[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|sp=us}} in length and connects the south and north parts of the old city. During the [[EOKA|EOKA struggle]] that ran from 1955 to 1959, the street acquired the informal nickname ''[[Ledra Street|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, Nicosia|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 architecture|Gothic]] [[St. John's Cathedral, Nicosia|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]], [[Larnaca]] and [[Limassol]] and [[Karpasia (town)|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 historic centre is clearly present inside the walls, but the modern city has grown beyond.

Presently, the main square of the city is [[Eleftheria square|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 [[Makariou Avenue, Nicosia|Makariou 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, Nicosia|Archbishop's Palace]] contains a [[Byzantine]] museum containing the largest collection of religious icons on the island. [[Leventio Museum|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 [[EOKA|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 Diocese of Cyprus|Armenian archbishopric]], a small Buddhist temple, a [[Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Cyprus|Maronite archbishopric]], and a [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] church.

=== North of the Green Line ===
{{main article|North Nicosia#Cityscape}}
[[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, Nicosia|Yenişehir]] quarter]]
[[File:Pedieos river walking routes Green leaf Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|right|Pedieos river walking route]]
At the centre of the walled city lies the [[Sarayönü Square]]. The square has been dubbed as "the heart of Nicosia" and historically has been the cultural centre 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, Cyprus|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 [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] and functions as a cultural centre.<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, Nicosia|Selimiye Mosque]], originally built as the St. Sophia Cathedral. The mosque is the chief religious centre 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 centre 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 centre 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, Cyprus|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 [[Ayioi Omoloyites, Nicosia|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|sp=us}}. 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 Organization 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===
{{see also|List of mayors of Nicosia Municipality}}
[[File:NICOSIA, 11 AUGUST, 2011 114.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The old building of the Nicosia Municipality at [[Eleftheria square|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/http://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===
{{main article|Administrative divisions of Nicosia}}
[[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 (urban subdivision)|quarter]], neighborhood, [[parish]], enoria'' or ''[[mahalla]]''. These units are: [[Ayios Andreas, Nicosia|Ayios Andreas]] (formerly Tophane), [[Trypiotis]], [[Nebethane, Nicosia|Nebethane]], [[Tabakhane, Nicosia|Tabakhane]], Phaneromeni, [[Ayios Savvas, Nicosia|Ayios Savvas]], Omerie, [[Ayios Antonios, Nicosia|Ayios Antonios]] (St. Anthony), St. John, [[Taht-el-kale, Nicosia|Taht-el-kale]], Chrysaliniotissa, [[Ayios Kassianos, Nicosia|Ayios Kassianos (Kafesli)]], [[Kaimakli|Kaïmakli]], [[Pallouriotissa|Panayia, St Constantine & Helen]], [[Ayioi Omoloyites, Nicosia|Ayioi Omoloyites]], [[Arab Ahmet, Nicosia|Arab Ahmet]], [[Yeni Jami, Nicosia|Yeni Jami]], [[Omorfita]], Ibrahim Pasha, Mahmut Pasha, [[Ak Kavuk, Nicosia|Abu Kavouk]], [[Ayios Loukas, Nicosia|St. Luke]], Abdi Chavush, [[Iplik Pazar and Korkut Effendi]], Ayia Sophia, [[Haydar Pasha, Nicosia|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, Nicosia|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, Cyprus|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 recognized 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 organized into municipalities. The village authority of [[Hamitköy]] (also known as Hamid Mandres) is highly 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 neighborhood headed by a [[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> [[Ortakioi|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 neighborhood of Nicosia Turkish Municipality.

==Demographics==

=== 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 [[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 [[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 centre 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|access-date = 5 February 2021|archive-date = 12 August 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160812050459/http://www.cyprushighlights.com/en/2012/11/12/greek-evangelical-church-in-nicosia/|url-status = dead}}</ref>

==== Armenian Evangelical Church ====
[[File:Nicosia Armenian Evangelical.jpg|thumb|left|Armenian Evangelical Church of Nicosia]]
The first [[Armenian Evangelical Church|Armenian Evangelicals]] in Cyprus came after the arrival of the [[United Kingdom|British]] 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 Evangelical Church|Armenian Evangelicals]] became affiliated with the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America|Reformed Presbyterian Church]] as early as 1887. Although the main centres were Nicosia and [[Larnaca]], gatherings were occasionally held in [[Limassol]], [[Famagusta]], and [[Pano Amiantos|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 [[Arabahmet Mosque|Arab Ahmed mosque]]. Prior to its erection, [[Armenian Evangelical Church|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 of North America|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 [[Armenian language|Armenian]].

==== Converted cathedral ====
[[File:Nicosia church.jpg|thumb|[[Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia|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 [[mosque]] and it is located in [[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 architecture|Gothic]] church in [[Cyprus]] (interior dimensions: {{convert|66|x|21|m|ft|abbr=in|disp=or|sp=us}}) 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 [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573)|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 [[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 [[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 [[minaret]]s were added, as well as Islamic features such as the [[mihrab]] (prayer niche) and the [[minbar]] (sermon pulpit).{{sfn|Alasya|2002|p=363}}

The first [[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 [[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 [[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 (1570–73)|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|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225223903/https://www.dunyabizim.com/dunyada-kultur/kuzeyle-guney-arasinda-kopru-lefkosa-video-haber-h13034.html|url-status=dead}}</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 [[Turkish people|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|[[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 [[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 [[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 theaters used for this purpose include:
*The Cyprus National Theater, which contains two performance spaces:<ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/theatres/thoc-theatre/ The Cyprus National Theater 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 centre, at the ends, or to one side of the room, and the space can be opened to the private garden beyond.
*The Pallas Cinema-Theater which was renovated from a near derelict state in 2008.<ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/theatres/pallas/ Pallas Cinema-Theater 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 Theater<ref>[http://www.maskarini.com Maskarini Theater 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 Theater at nicosia.org.cy] Accessed 2 February 2017</ref>
*Dionysos Theater<ref>[http://www.theatrodionysos.org/ Dionysos Theater at theatrodionysos.org] Accessed 2 February 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/theatres/dionysos/ Dionysos Theater 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 [[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>

==Human resources==

=== 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]]. In addition, the city is home to the oldest still-operational [[Lyceum|high-school]] in Cyprus, [[Pancyprian Gymnasium]].

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==
{{update section|date=October 2017}}
[[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 [[PricewaterhouseCoopers|PWC]], [[Deloitte]], [[KPMG]] and [[Ernst & Young]]. International technology companies such as [[NCR Corporation|NCR]] and [[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, Nicosia|Makariou Avenue]].<ref>[http://cyprusair.com/498,0,0,0,2-Addresses.aspx Addresses] [[Cyprus Airways]]</ref> The largest mall in Cyprus, [[Nicosia Mall]], is located in the city. According to a [[UBS]] survey in August 2011, Nicosia is the wealthiest per capita city of the [[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==

=== Rapid transit ===

==== Bus transport ====
[[File:Solomos Bus Station by night Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of buses at Solomou Square in Nicosia|Public buses run by OSEL, in [[Solomos Square]]]]Public transport within the district is served by Nicosia Public Transport, a subsidiary of Cyprus Public Transport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Cyprus Public Transport |url=https://publictransport.com.cy/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=publictransport.com.cy}}</ref> Bus service used to be operated by OSEL (Nicosia District Transport Organisation) until 2020, but the company ceased to operate after fraud claims.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ανακοινωθέντα Άρθρο - PIO |url=https://www.pio.gov.cy/%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BD%CF%89%CE%B8%CE%AD%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B1-%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B8%CF%81%CE%BF.html?id=14575#flat |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=www.pio.gov.cy |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nicosia bus company's eight directors under investigation – Cyprus Mail |url=https://archive.cyprus-mail.com/2015/12/09/nicosia-bus-co-investigation/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In the northern part, the company of LETTAŞ provides this service.<ref name="starkblettas">{{cite web |date=19 December 2007 |title=Kurban bayramı yarın başlıyor |url=http://www.starkibris.net/index.asp?haberID=7588 |access-date=28 April 2012 |publisher=[[Star Kıbrıs]]}}</ref> 

==== Train ====
There is no operating train network in Cyprus. Plans for the creation of an intercity railway have been made, but none has materialised. 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 |date=12 June 2011 |title=Study underway for Cyprus railway network |url=http://famagusta-gazette.com/study-underway-for-cyprus-railway-network-p12204-69.htm |access-date=13 June 2012 |work=Famagusta Gazette}}</ref> It used to stop in the city.

=== Motorways ===
Nicosia is linked with other major cities in Cyprus via a [[Roads and motorways in Cyprus|modern motorway network]]. The [[A1 motorway (Cyprus)|A1 motorway]] to the south, connects Nicosia with [[Limassol]], which continues onto the [[A6 motorway (Cyprus)|A6]] going from Limassol to [[Paphos]].
The [[A2 motorway (Cyprus)|A2]] to the southeast, links Nicosia with [[Larnaca]], continuing onto the [[A3 motorway (Cyprus)|A3]] going from Larnaca to [[Ayia Napa]]. The [[A9 motorway (Cyprus)|A9]] to the west, connects Nicosia to the western Nicosia district villages and the [[Troodos Mountains|Troodos mountains]]. The [[A22 motorway (Cyprus)|A22 Ring Road]] is currently under construction, which is planned to [[Ring road|bypass]] the city.

=== Airports ===
The capital is linked, via road, to the 2 international airports under the Republic's administration, [[Larnaca International Airport]] (located {{Approx.}} {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} south-east from the city) and [[Paphos International Airport]] ({{Approx.}} {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}} south-west).
[[File:Nicosia airport insite 3.JPG|thumb|[[Nicosia International Airport]] interior, 2010]]
The island's largest airport in the past, [[Nicosia International Airport]], ceased commercial operations in 1974, after the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkish invasion]]. It is located within the Green Line buffer zone, and is used as the headquarters of the [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus]] (UNFICYP). 

[[Ercan International Airport]] is {{convert|13|km|sp=us|abbr=on}} away from Nicosia. Flights to the airport are banned internationally due to the ongoing [[Cyprus problem|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> The Government of the Republic of Cyprus considers the use of Ercan Airport to enter or exit the island illegal,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus to the Hague - Tourism |url=http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/Embassies/embassy_thehague.nsf/All/4254DF2F0B871664C225792E001F2A27?OpenDocument#:~:text=Travellers%20arriving%20in%20the%20Republic,(Limassol),%20and%20Pafos. |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=www.mfa.gov.cy}}</ref> and could result in facing criminal charges when entering (or exiting) the Republic. 

=== Taxis and trams ===
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/$file/IMMP%20Final%20Report%20Appendices.pdf THE NICOSIA INTEGRATED MOBILITY MASTER PLAN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031141728/http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/mcw.nsf/All/07E87A85E80AD127C225781C0043861D/$file/IMMP%20Final%20Report%20Appendices.pdf |date=31 October 2017 }} REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS – Ministry of Communications and Works</ref>

Many taxi companies operate in Nicosia. Fares are regulated by law and taxi drivers are obliged to use a [[taximeter]].

=== Cycling ===
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>

==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 (soccer)|Football]] is the most popular sport in Cyprus, and Nicosia is home of three major teams of the island; [[APOEL F.C.|APOEL]], [[AC Omonia|Omonia]] and [[Olympiakos Nicosia|Olympiakos]]. APOEL and Omonia are dominant in [[Football in Cyprus|Cypriot football]]. There are also many other football clubs in Nicosia and the suburbs. The city also hosts [[Çetinkaya Türk S.K.|Çetinkaya]], [[Yenicami Ağdelen S.K.|Yenicami]], [[Küçük Kaymaklı Türk S.K.|Küçük Kaymaklı]] and [[Gönyeli S.K.|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]], [[team handball|handball]] and other sports. APOEL and Omonia have basketball and [[volleyball]] sections and [[Keravnos B.C.|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 [[Cyprus national football team|national team]], [[APOEL F.C.|APOEL]], [[Olympiakos Nicosia|Olympiakos]] and [[AC Omonia|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 [[Cyprus national basketball team|national team]], [[APOEL B.C.|APOEL]] and [[AC Omonia|Omonia]]. The [[Lefkotheo|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.
{{clear}}

== Notable people<!--a new page should be made titled 'List of people from Nicosia'--> ==
[[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
* [[Alparslan Türkeş]] (1917–1997), [[Turkish nationalism|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 [[Imperial College London]]
* [[Manoug Parikian]] (1920–1987), violinist and violin professor in the UK
* [[Suat Günsel]] (born 1952), businessman and founder of the [[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 (singer)|Giorgos Papadopoulos]] (born 1985), composer, singer
* [[Hovig Demirjian|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

==International relations==

=== Twin towns – sister cities ===
====Nicosia Municipality====
Nicosia is [[Sister city|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|archive-date=27 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327050527/https://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/municipality/twins/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*{{flagicon|GRC}} [[Athens]], Greece (since 1988)
*{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Bucharest]], Romania (since 2004)
*{{flagicon|QAT}} [[Doha]], Qatar
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Odesa]], Ukraine (since 1996)
*{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Shiraz]], Iran since (1999)
{{div col end}}
==== Nicosia Urban Area ====
{{Main article|Aglandjia#Twin towns – Sister cities|Ayios Dhometios#Twinned cities|Engomi#Twinned Cities|Lakatamia#Sister cities|Strovolos#Twin towns – Sister cities|l1 = Aglandjia|l2 = Ayios Dhometios|l3 = Engomi|l4 = Lakatamia|l5 = Strovolos|}}

==== Nicosia Turkish Municipality ====
[[North Nicosia]] is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Ankara]], Turkey<ref name="Ankara twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.ankara-bel.gov.tr/AbbSayfalari/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/avrupa_gunu_kutlamasi.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114033014/http://www.ankara-bel.gov.tr/AbbSayfalari/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/avrupa_gunu_kutlamasi.aspx |title=Kardeş Kentleri Listesi ve 5 Mayıs Avrupa Günü Kutlaması ''[via WaybackMachine.com]'' |publisher=Ankara Büyükşehir Belediyesi – Tüm Hakları Saklıdır |archive-date=14 January 2009 |access-date=2013-07-21 |language=tr |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Ankara">{{cite web |url=http://www.ankara.bel.tr/genel-sekreter-yardimcisi-balamir-gundogdu/dis-liskiler-daire-baskanligi/ankaranin-kardes-sehirleri/ |title=''Ankara – Twin Towns'' |publisher=Ankara-City.sk |access-date=2013-10-19 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019233013/http://www.ankara.bel.tr/genel-sekreter-yardimcisi-balamir-gundogdu/dis-liskiler-daire-baskanligi/ankaranin-kardes-sehirleri/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Bursa]], Turkey (since 1990)<ref name="Bursa twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.bursa.bel.tr/kardes-sehirler/sayfa/261/ |title=Kardeş Şehirler |access-date=2013-07-27 |work=Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyesi Basın Koordinasyon Merkez |publisher=Tüm Hakları Saklıdır |archive-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523225737/http://www.bursa.bel.tr/kardes-sehirler/sayfa/261/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Comrat]], Moldova (since 2006)
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Gaziantep]], Turkey (since 2009)<ref name="Gaziantep">{{cite web |url=http://www.gaziantep.com.tr/kardes-sehirler.html |title=''Gaziantep – Twin Towns'' |publisher=Gaziantep-City.sk |access-date=2013-10-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020094841/http://www.gaziantep.com.tr/kardes-sehirler.html |archive-date=20 October 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Istanbul]], Turkey<ref>{{cite web |title=İBB, YENİ DÖNEMİN İLK "KARDEŞLİK PROTOKOLÜ"NÜ LEFKOŞA İLE İMZALADI |url=https://www.ibb.istanbul/News/Detail/37494 |website=ibb.istanbul |access-date=13 December 2020}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[İzmir]], Turkey
*{{flagicon|MKD}} [[Karbinci Municipality|Karbinci]], North Macedonia (since 2001)
*{{flagicon|MKD}} [[Municipality of Aračinovo|Aračinovo]], North Macedonia (since 2002)
{{div col end}}
===Friendly cities===
====Nicosia Municipality====
<!--cities which don't list Nicosia as their twin town-->
Nicosia also cooperates with:<ref name=twinnings/>
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Schwerin]], Germany (1974)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Shanghai]], China (1999)
==== Nicosia Urban Area ====
{{Main article|Aglandjia#Friendly cities|l1 = Aglandjia}}

=== Foreign embassies and consulates ===

==== Nicosia ====
{{see also|List of diplomatic missions in Cyprus}}
The Republic of Cyprus hosts an [[List of diplomatic missions in Cyprus|extensive diplomatic community]] in its capital city, Nicosia. At present, Nicosia hosts 42 embassies and 3 high commissions (in '''bold'''), 12 consulate generals, 44 consulates and 2 vice consulates (in ''italics''), and 1 representation office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nicosia - Embassies, high commissions and consulates |url=https://www.embassypages.com/city/nicosia |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=EmbassyPages}}</ref><ref name="Cy.MFA-DL24">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.cy/app/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Diplomatic-List-AUGUST-2024.pdf |title=Diplomatic List |publisher=Protocol Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus |website=Government of Cyprus |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref> Do note that some nations might have multiple diplomatics missions in Nicosia. 

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
*'''{{AUS}}'''{{Efn|Member-state of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. As such, their embassies to other [[Commonwealth of Nations|commonwealth]] members are formally termed as "high commissions".|name=HCIN}}
*'''{{AUT}}'''
*''{{BLZ}}''
*'''{{BRA}}'''
*''{{BUL}}'' (consulate)
*'''{{BUL}}''' (embassy)
*''{{BDI}}''
*''{{CMR}}''
*''{{CAN}}''
*''{{CAF}}''
*'''{{CHN}}'''
*''{{COG}}''
*''{{CRO}}''
*'''{{CUB}}'''
*''{{Flag|Czechia}}'' (consulate)
*'''{{Flag|Czechia}}''' (embassy)
*''{{DEN}}'' (consulate general)
*''{{DMA}}''
*''{{DOM}}''
*'''{{EGY}}'''
*''{{EST}}'' (vice consulate)
*''{{EST}}'' (consulate general)
*{{flag|EU}} (representative office)
*''{{FIN}}'' (consulate) 
*''{{FIN}}'' (consulate general)
*'''{{FIN}}''' (embassy)
*'''{{FRA}}'''
*''{{GAB}}''
*''{{GEO}}'' (consulate) 
*'''{{GEO}}''' (embassy)
*'''{{GER}}'''
*'''{{GRE}}'''
*''{{GTM}}''
*''{{GUY}}''
*{{Flag|Holy See}} (apostolic nunciature)
*''{{Flag|Hungary}}'' (consulate general)
*'''{{Flag|Hungary}}'''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://dailynewshungary.com/hungarys-embassy-in-cyprus-reopens/ |title=Hungary's Embassy in Cyprus reopens |website=Daily News Hungary |date=2 April 2024 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> (embassy office)
*''{{ISL}}'' (consulate general)
*'''{{IND}}'''{{Efn|name=HCIN}}
*''{{IDN}}''
*'''{{IRI}}'''
*'''{{IRL}}'''
*'''{{ISR}}'''
*'''{{ITA}}'''
*''{{JAM}}''
*''{{JPN}}'' (consulate)
*'''{{JPN}}''' (embassy)
*'''{{JOR}}'''
*''{{KEN}}''
*''{{KOR}}'' (consulate general)
*'''{{KUW}}'''
*'''{{LIB}}'''
*'''{{LBA}}'''
*''{{LTU}}'' (consulate general)
*''{{LUX}}''
*''{{MYS}}''
*''{{MLI}}''
*''{{MEX}}''
*''{{MCO}}''
*''{{MNG}}''
*''{{MAR}}'' (vice consulate)
*''{{MMR}}''
*''{{NAM}}'' (consulate general)
*''{{NPL}}''
*'''{{NED}}'''
*''{{NZL}}''
*''{{NIC}}''
*''{{NOR}}'' (consulate general)
*''{{OMA}}'' (consulate)
*'''{{OMA}}''' (embassy)
*'''{{PSE}}'''
*''{{PAN}}'' (consulate)
*''{{PAN}}'' (consulate general)
*''{{PNG}}''
*''{{PRY}}''
*''{{PER}}''
*''{{PHL}}''
*'''{{POL}}'''
*'''{{POR}}'''
*'''{{QAT}}'''
*'''{{ROU}}'''
*'''{{RUS}}'''
*''{{RWA}}''
*'''{{KSA}}'''
*''{{SRB}} '' (consulate)
*'''{{SRB}}''' (embassy)
*''{{SYC}}'' (consulate general)
*'''{{SVK}}'''
*''{{ZAF}}''
*'''{{flag|Sovereign Military Order of Malta}}'''
*''{{ESP}}'' (consulate general)
*'''{{ESP}}''' (embassy)
*'''{{SWE}}'''
*'''{{SUI}}'''
*'''{{SYR}}'''
*''{{THA}}''
*''{{UKR}}'' (consulate)
*'''{{UKR}}''' (embassy)
*'''{{UAE}}'''
*'''{{GBR}}'''{{Efn|name=HCIN}}
*'''{{USA}}'''
*''{{URY}}''
*''{{UZB}}''
{{Div col end}}

==== North Nicosia ====
{{see also|List of diplomatic missions in Northern Cyprus}}
The [[De facto|''de facto'']] unrecognised state of [[Northern Cyprus]] hosts a [[List of diplomatic missions in Cyprus|limited diplomatic community]] in its capital in the ''de facto'' [[North Nicosia|northern part]] of Nicosia. Foreign missions located in [[North Nicosia]] are:<ref>[https://mfa.gov.ct.tr/consular-info/foreign-missions-in-trnc/ ''Foreign Missions in TRNC'', mfa.gov.ct.tr (without date).]</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{AUS}} (High Commission Office)<ref>According to the Australian [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade]] the Australian High Commission in Nicosia has an annex in North Nicosia. [https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-locations/missions/australian-high-commission-cyprus ''Australian High Commission, Cyprus'', dfat.gov.au (without date).] [https://cyprus.embassy.gov.au/ncos/aboutus.html ''About the Australian High Commission in Cyprus'', cyprus.embassy.gov.au (without date).]</ref>
*{{flag|EU}} ([[European Union–Northern Cyprus relations#Aid programme|Programme Support Office]])<ref>[https://ec.europa.eu/info/overview-funding-programmes/aid-programme-turkish-cypriot-community_en ''Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community'', ec.europa.eu (without date).]</ref>
*{{FRA}} (Cultural Office)<ref>There is an office of the Cyprus Turkish French Cultural Association (CTFCA) in North Nicosia. According to its homepage, it does not serve any  political interests. [http://www.fransizkultur.org/en/index.html ''Cyprus Turkish French Cultural Association (CTFCA)'', fransizkultur.org (without date).] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426154229/http://www.fransizkultur.org/en/index.html |date=26 April 2021 }}</ref>
*{{DEU}} (Embassy Office)<ref>There is a German Visa Office in the British compound in North Nicosia. [https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/laender/zypern-node/zypern/210262?openAccordionId=item-210272-0-panel ''Deutsche Vertretungen in Zypern'', auswaertiges-amt.de (without date).] [https://nikosia.diplo.de/cy-de/botschaft ''Botschaft'', nikosia.diplo.de (without date).]</ref>
*{{ITA}} (Embassy Office)
*{{RUS}} (Embassy Office)
*{{TUR}} ([[Embassy of Turkey in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus|Embassy]])<ref>[https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkish-representations.en.mfa ''Turkish Representations'', mfa.gov.tr (without date).]</ref>
*{{UK}} (High Commission Office)<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-nicosia/office/british-high-commission ''British High Commission Nicosia'', gov.uk (without date).]</ref>
*{{USA}} (Ambassadorship Office)<ref>https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-cy/niv/information/consulate {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}

==See also==
{{portal|Cyprus}}
* [[North Nicosia]]
* [[List of divided cities]]
* [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus]]
* [[Nicosia Music Society]]
* [[List of shopping malls in Cyprus]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{See also|Timeline of Nicosia#Bibliography}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{citation |last=Hill |first=George |author-link=Sir George Hill |jstor=750045 |contribution=Two Toponymic Puzzles |title=Journal of the Warburg Institute |date=April 1939 |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=375–381 |publisher=The Warburg Institute |doi=10.2307/750045 }}.
* {{citation |editor1-last=Michaelides |editor1-first=Demetrios |title=Historic Nicosia |date=2012 |publisher=Rimal Publications |location=Nicosia }}.
** {{citation |last1=Michaelides |first1=Demetrios |last2=Pilides |first2=Despina |display-authors=1 |ref={{harvid|Michaelides & al.|2012}} |editor1-last=Michaelides |editor1-first=Demetrios |title=''ibid.'' |date=2012 |contribution=Nicosia from the Beginnings to the Roman Ledroi }}.
** {{citation |last1=Papacostas |first1=Tasos |editor1-last=Michaelides |editor1-first=Demetrios |display-editors=0 |title=''ibid.'' |date=2012 |contribution=Byzantine Nicosia: 650–1191 }}.
** {{citation |last1=Theocharides |first1=Ioannis |last2=Stavrides |first2=Theoharis |display-authors=1 |ref={{harvid|Theocharides & al.|2012}} |editor1-last=Michaelides |editor1-first=Demetrios |display-editors=0 |title=''ibid.'' |date=2012 |chapter=Nicosia under Ottoman Rule 1570–1878: Part I }}.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Nicosia}}
* [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]
* [https://lefkosa.com.tr/ Lefkoşa](TR)
* [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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623082214/http://www.cyprusisland.com/01_Information/nicosia.htm |date=23 June 2007 }}
* [http://www.kypros.org/ The World of Cyprus] bilingual information portal with background on folk culture and Byzantine influences

{{Nicosia District}}
{{List of European capitals by region}}
{{List of Asian capitals by region}}
{{Municipalities of Cyprus}}
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Nicosia| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:Divided cities]]
[[Category:Historic sites in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Fortified settlements]]
[[Category:Municipalities in Nicosia District]]