Eleftheria square
Encyclopedia
Eleftheria square is the main square
in central Nicosia
, Cyprus
. It forms the intersection of Ledra
and Onasagorou
streets with Stasinou, Omirou, Kostaki Pantelidi, Konstandinou Palaiologou and Evagorou avenues. Prior to 1974 the centre of city was considered to be Faneromeni Square
.
. It was renamed in 1974, following a competition held at the suggestion of the then Mayor of Nicosia.
It is located in the centre of the town below the Venetian walls of the medieval city. Nicosia town hall
, located on D’Avila bastion, overlooks the square whilst Ledra Street
leads onto its northern side.
The square is usually the focus of high profile activities in the capital. Examples include advertising promotions, political rallies and sporting events. Celebrations such as Cyprus's accession to the European Union
were also centered around the square. As presently the square is not pedestrianised, when major events take place vehicles are redirected.
Eleftheria square was not part of the original construction of the Venetian
walls. It first took the form of a bridge constructed during the British occupation of Cyprus at the end of the 19th Century. As the city expanded out of the medieval walls wooden bridges were constructed to facilitate transport. The original wooden bridge known as the Hajisavvas Openning(erected in 1882) was then replaced with a solid concrete one, which survives to date.
In 2005 an architectural competition was announced to redesign the square. This was won by a group led by Zaha Hadid
. The proposed plans however, have been heavily criticised by some local designers. In 2009 the initial excavation works revealed archaeological findings that have forced alterations to the original design.
Plateia
Plateia or platia is the Greek word for town square. Most Greek and Cypriot cities have several town squares which are a point of reference in travelling and guiding...
in central Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. It forms the intersection of Ledra
Ledra Street
Ledra Street is a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, Cyprus, which links North and South Nicosia....
and Onasagorou
Onasagorou Street
Onasagorou Street is a major shopping street in central Nicosia that runs from Eleftheria square to Faneromeni School. It has been a fashionable shopping street since the 19th century and is currently the home of many high-priced fashion shops. It is currently one of the most expensive strips of...
streets with Stasinou, Omirou, Kostaki Pantelidi, Konstandinou Palaiologou and Evagorou avenues. Prior to 1974 the centre of city was considered to be Faneromeni Square
Faneromeni Square Nicosia
Faneromeni Square , is an important historical square located within the Venetian walls of Nicosia.It hosts a number of historical buildings and monuments including Faneromeni Church , Faneromeni School , Faneromeni Library and the Marble Mausoleum ....
.
Overview
The name translates as Freedom square. Previously the square was called Metaxas square , in reference to the Greek statesman Ioannis MetaxasIoannis Metaxas
Ioannis Metaxas was a Greek general, politician, and dictator, serving as Prime Minister of Greece from 1936 until his death in 1941...
. It was renamed in 1974, following a competition held at the suggestion of the then Mayor of Nicosia.
It is located in the centre of the town below the Venetian walls of the medieval city. Nicosia town hall
Nicosia Municipality
Nicosia Municipality , is the municipal government which is responsible for all the municipal duties of Nicosia.-History:The municipal council was elected according to the Municipal Ordinance of 1882, and the District Commissioner with one Greek and one Turkish adviser undertook municipal affairs...
, located on D’Avila bastion, overlooks the square whilst Ledra Street
Ledra Street
Ledra Street is a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, Cyprus, which links North and South Nicosia....
leads onto its northern side.
The square is usually the focus of high profile activities in the capital. Examples include advertising promotions, political rallies and sporting events. Celebrations such as Cyprus's accession to the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
were also centered around the square. As presently the square is not pedestrianised, when major events take place vehicles are redirected.
Eleftheria square was not part of the original construction of the Venetian
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
walls. It first took the form of a bridge constructed during the British occupation of Cyprus at the end of the 19th Century. As the city expanded out of the medieval walls wooden bridges were constructed to facilitate transport. The original wooden bridge known as the Hajisavvas Openning(erected in 1882) was then replaced with a solid concrete one, which survives to date.
In 2005 an architectural competition was announced to redesign the square. This was won by a group led by Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid, CBE is an Iraqi-British architect.-Life and career:Hadid was born in 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq. She received a degree in mathematics from the American University of Beirut before moving to study at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.After graduating she worked...
. The proposed plans however, have been heavily criticised by some local designers. In 2009 the initial excavation works revealed archaeological findings that have forced alterations to the original design.