North Nicosia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids North Nicosia Kuzey Lefkoşa  (Turkish) Βόρεια Λευκωσία (Greek)
Capital city
From top to bottom, left to right: The Kyrenia Gate and the İnönü Square, Selimiye Mosque (former St. Sophia Cathedral), historical Samanbahçe neighbourhood, the Büyük Han, Bedesten, Sarayönü and the Venetian Column, the entertainment center of Dereboyu, the Near East Medical School, part of North Nicosia skyline at night
Seal
Nickname(s):  "The City that Smells of Jasmine" in Turkish: "Yasemin Kokulu Şeher" "The City" in Cypriot Turkish: "Şeher"
North Nicosia Location in Cyprus Show map of Cyprus North Nicosia Location in Europe Show map of Europe
Claimed by	Republic of Cyprus (internationally recognised), Northern Cyprus (recognised only by Turkey)
• District	Nicosia District
Administered by	Northern Cyprus
• District	Lefkoşa District
Area
• Capital city	92.8 km2 (35.8 sq mi)
• Metro	165.2 km2 (63.8 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Capital city	61,378
• Density	661.4/km2 (1,713.0/sq mi)
• Metro	82,539
Demonym(s)	North Nicosian
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Website	Nicosia Turkish Municipality

North Nicosia (also called Northern Nicosia) is the capital city of Northern Cyprus. It is the largest city in this de facto state. The city is the northern part of Nicosia, which is a divided city. The Nicosia Turkish Municipality governs North Nicosia. In 2011, about 61,378 people lived here. The wider city area had about 82,539 residents.

North Nicosia is the main center for business, politics, and culture in Northern Cyprus. You can find many shops, restaurants, and malls here. The city has a historic walled area, with Sarayönü Square at its heart. It also has a modern part, where Dereboyu Avenue is a busy spot for business and fun. The city is known for its good quality of life. It has grown a lot in the 21st century. New highways and tall buildings have been built. Many tourists visit North Nicosia. It also hosts cool cultural events, like international festivals for theatre and music. Over 34,000 students live here, making it a big center for learning and research. It has four universities, and Near East University is the biggest.

In the 1960s, there was fighting between different groups in Cyprus. Because of this, the capital city of Nicosia was split in 1963. The Greek Cypriot community lived in the south, and the Turkish Cypriot community lived in the north. In 1974, there was a coup by the Greek military. They tried to join the island with Greece. This led to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Since then, many countries see North Nicosia as being under Turkish control.

Exploring the History of North Nicosia

Sarayönü in 1969

During the Cyprus crisis of 1963–64, fighting broke out between the communities. Nicosia was divided by a line called the Green Line. A United Nations officer drew this line on a map. This split caused Turkish Cypriots to stop being part of the government. After more fighting in 1964, many Turkish Cypriots moved to the Turkish part of Nicosia. This made the area very crowded.

On July 15, 1974, there was a coup attempt. The Greek military tried to unite Cyprus with Greece. This led to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 1974. The Turkish Army took control of 37% of the northern part of Cyprus. This included northern Nicosia and the cities of Kyrenia and Famagusta.

Good news came on April 23, 2003. The Ledra Palace crossing point opened. This was the first time people could cross the Green Line since 1974. More crossings opened later, like Ayios Dometios in May 2003. On April 3, 2008, the Ledra Street crossing also reopened.

How North Nicosia is Governed

City hall of North Nicosia, August 2009

North Nicosia is the political, economic, and cultural heart of Northern Cyprus. It is where the government ministries are located. The city is run by the Nicosia Turkish Municipality. This municipality is recognized by the Republic of Cyprus's constitution.

The mayor leads the Nicosia Turkish Municipality. The current mayor is Mehmet Harmancı from the Communal Democracy Party (TDP). He became mayor in 2014. The city council has 22 members. They come from different political parties.

Who are the Mayors of North Nicosia?

Here is a list of the mayors of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality since 1958:

• Tahsin Gözmen: 1958–1962
• Cevdet Mirata: 1962–1962
• Fuat Celalettin: 1962–1968
• Ziver Kemal: 1969–1976
• Mustafa Akıncı: 1976–1990
• Burhan Yetkili: 1990–1994
• Şemi Bora: 1994–2002
• Kutlay Erk: 2002–2006
• Cemal Metin Bulutoğluları: 2006–2013
• Kadri Fellahoğlu: 2013–2014
• Mehmet Harmancı: 2014–present

City Quarters: What are They?

Nicosia is divided into areas called mahalleler or quarters. Each quarter has a leader called a muhtar. Residents elect their muhtar in local elections. There are 25 quarters in North Nicosia. Twelve are inside the old walled city, and 13 are outside.

Here are some of the quarters and their populations from 2011:

The historical Samanbahçe neighbourhood in the İbrahimpaşa quarter

A view from the Yenişehir quarter

Cityscape: Exploring North Nicosia's Look

The Historic Walled City

Sarayönü

The Büyük Han

UN tower in the buffer zone

The old walled city of Nicosia is full of history and amazing buildings. The northern part has many historical sites. The Selimiye quarter still feels very old and traditional. The whole walled city is a protected area. There are 672 registered historical buildings here.

At the center of the walled city is Atatürk Square, also known as Sarayönü. People call it "the heart of Nicosia." It has always been a cultural hub for Turkish Cypriots. Political speeches and rallies still happen here. In the middle of the square is the Venetian Column. Locals call it "the Obelisk." This column was brought from the ancient city of Salamis in 1550. It has old family symbols at its base.

Girne Avenue connects Sarayönü to the Kyrenia Gate. This avenue is a symbol of the walled city. It is full of shops and restaurants. There are plans to make this area even better.

Near the walled city's entrance is the Samanbahçe neighborhood. It was built in the 1800s. This was the first social housing on the island. The houses are similar and close together. A historic fountain is in the center. It is still a living area and shows Cypriot culture.

Further south, near the Ledra Street checkpoint, is the Arasta area. This area became a walking-only zone in 2013. It has old shopping streets. You can find traditional food and items here. Tourists love to visit this area.

The Büyük Han is nearby. It is the largest caravanserai (an old inn for travelers) on the island. The Ottomans built it in 1572. It has 68 rooms and a small mosque. Today, it is a cultural center for tourists. You can find souvenir shops, cafes, and cultural events. Across the road is the Kumarcılar Hanı, another old Ottoman inn.

The Selimiye Mosque is another important place. It was first built as the St. Sophia Cathedral. It is the main religious center in Northern Cyprus. It was built between 1209 and 1228 in a Gothic style. Its columns are even older, from Roman times. This suggests an older church was there before. It became a mosque in 1571. It is a key landmark of the city.

Next to the mosque is the Bedesten. This was a large Greek church. It was built between the 6th and 14th centuries. During Ottoman times, it was a marketplace. Now, it is a cultural center for concerts and festivals. These two buildings face Selimiye Square. This square also hosts cultural events. The Library of Sultan Mahmud II is also in Selimiye Square. It has very old manuscripts.

Other old city quarters include Yenicami and Arabahmet. Yenicami has the Haydar Pasha Mosque. This was once the city's second largest church. It has beautiful Gothic architecture. The Arabahmet neighborhood has the Arabahmet Mosque, built in 1845.

The Kyrenia Gate and the İnönü Square, at the entrance of the walled city

The Modern Metropolitan Area

A classical house from the colonial period in Köşklüçiftlik

Outside the old walled city, North Nicosia has grown a lot. It now includes the nearby town of Gönyeli and the village of Hamitköy. The larger North Nicosia area also includes Haspolat. This whole area covers 165.2 square kilometers.

The quarters outside the walled city are more open. They have wider roads. These areas have many concrete buildings with multiple floors. On the city's edges, you can see large, impressive villas. These belong to middle and upper-class families. Many Turkish Cypriots have moved from the walled city to areas like Küçük Kaymaklı and Hamitköy. These areas have seen a big increase in business.

In the first half of the 20th century, the city started to grow outside its walls. Large houses were built in Köşklüçiftlik and Çağlayan. These areas still have these grand homes today. The Yenişehir quarter was planned in the 1940s. It was designed to be easy to get around and good for social life. It is still seen as a great example of city planning in Cyprus.

Who Lives in North Nicosia?

North Nicosia is mostly home to Turkish Cypriots. It also has Turkish settlers, including workers. Historically, Turkish Cypriots lived north of the riverbed. Greek Cypriots lived to the south. The Green Line was drawn to separate these areas. About 7,000 Turkish Cypriots had to move from their homes. This was about 30% of the Turkish population in Nicosia. They moved from areas like Küçük Kaymaklı/Omorphita. North Nicosia also welcomed many displaced Turkish Cypriots from nearby villages. The Göçmenköy quarter (meaning "village of the displaced") was built for these people.

North Nicosia's Economy

A central point in the city where the Dereboyu Avenue and the Bedrettin Demirel Avenue intersect

The Arasta region, popular with tourists

North Nicosia is the main financial and business center of Northern Cyprus. In 2012, it had almost 40% of all workplaces in Northern Cyprus. It also had nearly half of all employees. The Central Bank of Northern Cyprus is located here. The city has grown a lot in recent years. However, some people say there hasn't been enough planning.

Between 2008 and 2010, building activity in North Nicosia increased by almost 24%. The biggest growth was in new factories, which grew by 87.5% in two years. North Nicosia also became more important for business. The construction of offices grew by 74.2%. Now, there are plans to manage the city's growth better. North Nicosia is known as a city with a lot of development and good living standards.

North Nicosia's central location helps its economy. It is where highways from Kyrenia, Famagusta, and Morphou meet. The city hosts the Nicosia International Fair. It also has an Organised Industrial Area. Many businesses and factories are located here. These places are near the highways connecting different cities. North Nicosia greatly affects the economy of its surrounding area. This includes the Ercan International Airport.

The economy in the old walled city has been slow. The central Municipal Market lost some popularity. However, it has started to get new investments. Programs are trying to bring life back to the area with cultural events. In 2014, the Arasta shopping area became a walking-only zone. This made it much more popular.

Tourism is a big part of the economy. In 2012, North Nicosia welcomed over 146,000 tourists. This was 13.8% of all tourist stays in Northern Cyprus. After the Ledra Street crossing opened in 2008, many visitors came to the Arasta area. About 2,300 Greek Cypriots and tourists crossed into the area daily.

The city has built many large hotels since the late 2000s. These new buildings have changed the city's skyline. The Merit Hotel and the Golden Tulip Hotel are tall, visible buildings. The country's oldest hotel, the Saray Hotel, was also renovated. Each of these hotels has a casino.

In 2011 alone, about 117 million Turkish liras were spent on new buildings. Many new homes were built, especially in Hamitköy and Gönyeli. There was also residential growth in Küçük Kaymaklı and Aydemet.

Culture and Arts in North Nicosia

North Nicosia is a place with many different cultures. Students from various countries at the universities celebrate their national festivals. They perform their traditional dances and show their customs. Different religious groups also hold cultural events. The Alevi Cultural Association has its main office in Nicosia.

Fine Arts in the City

The city has fine arts schools at its universities. These include the fine arts faculties of Near East University and Cyprus International University. These universities help the city's art scene. Their students take part in exhibitions and competitions. They also create art about Nicosia. In 2014, an arts and culture center in the Arabahmet area reopened.

Photography exhibitions and contests happen in the city. Both government and private groups organize them. Traditional handicrafts are also very active. Many exhibitions display these crafts.

Museums to Visit

The Lusignan House

North Nicosia has several interesting museums. The Dervish Pasha Mansion is an ethnographic museum. It shows typical old Ottoman architecture. It has items from the Ottoman era and Cyprus's past. Another preserved house is the Lusignan House. It shows the architecture of the Lusignan period and Gothic style. It has items from both Lusignan and Ottoman times.

The Mevlevi Tekke Museum was once a center for the Mevlevi sect. This group is known for the Whirling Dervishes. Now, it is an ethnographic museum. It shows the traditions of the sect.

The Lapidary Museum was a guesthouse for pilgrims. They visited the St. Sophia Cathedral (now the Selimiye Mosque). It has old architectural pieces and items found from excavations.

The Near East University campus also has three museums. These are the Communications Museum, the Art Museum, and the Classical Cars Museum.

Performing Arts: Music and Theatre

Members of the Lefkoşa Municipal Orchestra performing in Büyük Han

The Turkish Cypriot State Theatre and Nicosia Municipal Theater are in Nicosia. They perform many plays each year. The Nicosia Turkish Municipality organizes the Cyprus Theatre Festival every year. Famous theatre groups from Turkey and the local Municipal Theatre join in. The festival takes place at the Atatürk Culture and Congress Centre. Theatre is very popular in Northern Cyprus. Many people line up for tickets. The Nicosia Municipal Theatre also has shows for children.

The Nicosia Turkish Municipality started its Lefkoşa Municipal Orchestra in 1987. The orchestra has grown a lot. It now has a Children's Choir, Folk Music Choir, Pop Orchestra, and more. Most of its 90 members are volunteers. The orchestra often gives concerts. They also play at big music festivals. Sometimes, they perform in parks and squares. The Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Northern Cyprus is also based here. The city hosts the annual Nicosia Walled City Jazz Festival. Local and Turkish jazz musicians perform there.

The city has several folk dance groups. They hold annual festivals to perform Cypriot folk dances. Students from other countries also perform their traditional dances. The city hosts folk dance shows for children from other countries. This happens on Children's Day, April 23. North Nicosia also hosts the International Folk Dance Festival. Groups from many countries perform around the city.

Modern dance is also popular. There are several dance schools in the city. Famous musicals and dance shows are performed at the Atatürk Culture and Congress Centre.

Learning in North Nicosia: Education

The Near East University Faculty of Medicine and the hospital

A view from the Cyprus International University campus

Nicosia is home to four Turkish Cypriot universities. These are Near East University (NEU), Cyprus International University (CIU), University of Mediterranean Karpasia, and the American University of Cyprus. It also has a campus of the Turkish Anadolu University. There are also two vocational schools that are like universities.

In the 2014–2015 school year, over 34,000 students lived in North Nicosia. Near East University is the largest university in Northern Cyprus. It had 25,068 students. Cyprus International University had 8,324 students. The University of Mediterranean Karpasia had 632 students. These universities are very diverse. Near East University has students from 96 countries. Cyprus International University has students from 64 countries.

Near East University was founded in 1988. Its campus is a few kilometers from Nicosia. Cyprus International University started in 1997. Its campus is in the Haspolat area. The University of Mediterranean Karpasia was founded in 2011. It is located in the Küçük Kaymaklı area of the city.

Near East University has a supercomputer. It is one of the fastest in the world. It helps universities in Turkey and its own research. It has worked on projects like the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. It also helped with Ebola virus disease treatment research. NEU has also built a solar-powered car. Its research centers study many topics, from tissue engineering to history. Cyprus International University has eight research centers. They have found the oldest human bones in Cyprus. They are also working on devices that could be put in the human body for communication.

The Grand Library of the Near East University is huge. It has over 1 million printed books and 150 million online resources. More than 7,000 people visit it every day.

In North Nicosia, there are 21 state-owned primary schools. There are also three special schools for children with disabilities. The city has three types of high schools. There are state-owned high schools (lise) that teach in Turkish. There are also state-owned "colleges" (kolej) that teach in English. And there are private high schools. The Türk Maarif Koleji is a state-owned high school with over 1,000 students. It teaches in English and prepares students for the British education system. Private high schools include Near East College, Levent College, and TED College. There is also the state-owned Anadolu High School of Fine Arts and four vocational high schools.

Getting Around: Transport in North Nicosia

A bus stop on Bedrettin Demirel Avenue

North Nicosia is a major transport hub in Northern Cyprus. Highways from other big cities like Famagusta, Kyrenia, and Morphou meet here. It is connected to these cities by modern, four-lane highways. The D-30 highway goes from Morphou to Famagusta through Nicosia. The D-25 highway goes to Kyrenia. Ercan International Airport is used for international flights. There are no train or metro systems. In 2011, plans for a tram system were suggested but not approved. However, many people want one.

North Nicosia has built new highways and roads to help with traffic. Two ring roads were built in the 2010s. One connects the Metehan area to Alayköy. It opened in 2014. The other, the Nicosia Northern Ringroad, is still being built. It will connect highways from Famagusta and Kyrenia directly. This will stop cars from entering the city center.

The LETTAŞ company provides bus services in North Nicosia. Buses are the only public transport. The system is not always reliable because the city has grown without much planning. So, most people use private cars. There is a bus terminal in the Yenişehir area. The old walled city is easy to walk around. But the municipality has been criticized for not having a good public transport system.

A bicycle-sharing system called Velespeed started in 2018. It has 410 bicycles and rental stations around the city. The stations are within a 15-minute bike ride of each other.

Sports and Fun in North Nicosia

Nicosia Atatürk Stadium

CIU Arena, the largest sports complex in Northern Cyprus

North Nicosia is home to five of the fourteen teams in the Turkish Cypriot Süper Lig. This is the top football league in Northern Cyprus. These teams are Çetinkaya, Yenicami, Küçük Kaymaklı, Gönyeli, and Gençlik Gücü. Çetinkaya is the most successful team with 14 titles. Teams from Nicosia have won most of the league trophies. Çetinkaya is also the oldest team, founded in 1930. It won the united Cypriot league before the island was divided. Many people in the city also support Turkish football teams. They celebrate their victories in the Dereboyu area.

The city hosts the Nicosia Marathon every year. Over a thousand people took part in 2014. This included important political figures. The marathon goes through popular avenues and landmarks. It has categories for 4, 8, and 21 kilometers. The 4 km race is a public walk. Other sports events include the Lefkoşa Open tennis tournament. The Lefkoşa Beach Volley Arena hosts the annual Zafer Beach Volleyball Cup. In 2015, the city held its first Nicosia Youth and Sports Festival. It included 22 different sports, like street basketball, tennis, and boxing.

North Nicosia has many sports venues. The main sports center is the Atatürk Sports Complex. It has the Nicosia Atatürk Stadium, the biggest stadium on the island. It can hold 28,000 people. This stadium is home to Çetinkaya and Yenicami. The complex also has the Atatürk Sports Hall for basketball, volleyball, and handball. There's also the Atatürk Indoor Swimming Pool, tennis courts, and offices for sports federations. The complex has a training facility for athletes. It is also open to disabled athletes. The Nicosia Turkish Municipality is building new sports facilities. Projects are underway in the Metehan, Hamitköy, and Haspolat areas.

North Nicosia has hosted international sports events. It hosted the 9th Global Taekwondo Federation World Taekwondo Championship in 2013. It also hosted the Economic Cooperation Organization University Games in 2013. However, international sports bans limit its ability to host and join many tournaments. It was also part of the annual Cyprus Rally in 2014. This event attracted huge crowds.

Universities add a lot to North Nicosia's sports life. Near East University has the only Olympic pool on the island. It is 2,700 square meters. Over 12,000 people have taken swimming lessons there. It also has a modern sports hall and a health campus. Its synchronised swimming team performs regularly. The CIU Arena at Cyprus International University is the biggest sports complex in Northern Cyprus. It covers 22,500 square meters. It has an indoor sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and more. It also has the CIU Foxes teams. Their men's handball team won the national league twice in a row.

International Connections

North Nicosia has "twin city" relationships with other cities around the world. This means they share culture and friendship.

Images for kids

• 

  Dr.Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital

• 

  A backstreet in the walled city

• 

  A backstreet in the walled city

• 

  Court of law in North Nicosia

• 

  Arabahmet Mosque

• 

  A cultural center-tavern in the walled city

• 

  Mevlevi Museum

• 

  The Arasta region

• 

  Haydar Pasha Mosque

• 

  Ledra Street

• 

  Ledra Street

• 

  Dereboyu at night

• 

  Dereboyu during daytime

• 

  Bülent Ecevit Square in Taşkınköy/Göçmenköy

See also

In Spanish: Nicosia Norte para niños