Nicosia: Capital of Cyprus

History

The Division — 1974

On 20 July 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus following a Greek-backed military coup that sought enosis (union with Greece). Turkish forces ultimately occupied the northern 37% of the island. Nicosia was cut in two. The Green Line — first drawn on a map with a green chinagraph pencil by a British general in 1964 — became a permanent ceasefire line running through the heart of the capital. It has remained there for over 50 years.

The Annan Plan Paradox

The 2004 Annan Plan offered a UN-brokered reunification deal. In a remarkable reversal of expectations, Turkish Cypriots voted 65% in favour of reunification; Greek Cypriots voted 76% against. The south rejected reunification, the north accepted it — and then Cyprus joined the EU anyway, as a divided island. This paradox has never been resolved and remains one of the EU's most politically awkward situations.

EU Member Under Occupation

The northern portion is administered as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, declared in 1983 and recognised internationally only by Turkey. Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 — making it the only EU member state with a significant portion of its territory under military occupation. EU law technically applies to the entire island but cannot be enforced in the north.

Landmarks & Culture

Venetian Walls

The old city of Nicosia is encircled by 16th-century Venetian Walls — built by Venice (which controlled Cyprus 1489–1571) to defend against Ottoman attack. The walls failed: the Ottomans took Nicosia in 1570 after a 45-day siege. But the walls survive largely intact, eleven bastions forming a near-perfect circle around the old city.

Ledra Street Crossing

The Ledra Street crossing allows pedestrians to cross the Green Line into northern Nicosia on foot. It opened in 2008 — 34 years after the line was sealed. On the northern side, the street continues as Lokmaci. Abandoned buildings stand in the buffer zone itself, frozen since 1974.

Fast Facts

• The last divided capital in the world — the UN Green Line has split Nicosia since 1974.
• The only EU member state with part of its territory under military occupation (Turkey).
• Turkish Cypriots voted FOR the 2004 Annan Plan; Greek Cypriots voted 76% against it.
• Aphrodite, goddess of love, was said to have been born from the sea off Cyprus — the word "copper" derives from Cyprus (cuprum), where it was extensively mined in antiquity.
• The Ledra Street crossing opened in 2008 after 34 years of complete sealing.