Kaimakli
Encyclopedia
Kaimakli is a large North Eastern suburb located within the Municipality of Nicosia since 1968. The population of the area was 10864 inhabitants in 2001.
In the 19th and 20th Century the inhabitants of Kaimakli where famed for their building and labouring skills. In 1878 when the British arrived they found that the Venetians
had diverted the river Pediaios north of the city, but the old riverbed still ran though the centre, creating an open sewer and rubbish dump, which sometimes flooded into the surrounding streets. In 1881 the riverbed was covered, the municipality offered ownership of the area covered to labourers prepared to undertake the work. Much of it was done by builders from Kaimakli who thus built Hermes Street
. Many of the shops built where then given to builders as a reward for their labour.
The Cyprus Government Railway
(Section 1) was constructed in 1905 and the line passed through Kaimakli towards Nicosia
. A Station Halt and siding was then built in 1909 on the corner of what is now Synergasias Street(This formed part of the old line and the rail tracks are now buried within the tarmac) and St Hilarion.The Line and station closed on the 31st December 1951.The Station was restored in 1995 and a Linear Park was constructed on over a kilometre of the old track.
is a Cypriot basketball club founded in 1943, nowadays running basketball, volleyball and table tennis divisions. It has been an integral part of the community in the suburb of Kaimakli in Nicosia. The club is named after Achilles (Ἀχιλλεύς) a legendary figure of the Greek mythology.
However Rubert Gunnis states that the suburb took its name from a farm which produced clotted cream which in Turkish is known as Kiamak.
History
Kaimakli has two churches, Saint Varvara's and Archangel Michael's, which is also a cemetery. In St Varvara are some interesting old icons, e.g. one of Virgin Mary dated to 1763.In the 19th and 20th Century the inhabitants of Kaimakli where famed for their building and labouring skills. In 1878 when the British arrived they found that the Venetians
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
had diverted the river Pediaios north of the city, but the old riverbed still ran though the centre, creating an open sewer and rubbish dump, which sometimes flooded into the surrounding streets. In 1881 the riverbed was covered, the municipality offered ownership of the area covered to labourers prepared to undertake the work. Much of it was done by builders from Kaimakli who thus built Hermes Street
Hermes Street
- Location :Hermes Street was a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia. It runs from the top of Ledra Street and into Ektoros Street in the East.- History :...
. Many of the shops built where then given to builders as a reward for their labour.
The Cyprus Government Railway
Cyprus Government Railway
The Cyprus Government Railway was a narrow gauge railway network that operated in Cyprus from October 1905 to December 1951. With a total length of , there were 39 stations, stops and halts, the most prominent of which served Famagusta, Prastio Mesaoria, Angastina, Trachoni, Nicosia,...
(Section 1) was constructed in 1905 and the line passed through Kaimakli towards 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...
. A Station Halt and siding was then built in 1909 on the corner of what is now Synergasias Street(This formed part of the old line and the rail tracks are now buried within the tarmac) and St Hilarion.The Line and station closed on the 31st December 1951.The Station was restored in 1995 and a Linear Park was constructed on over a kilometre of the old track.
Industry
The Regis Milk Industries which is a major ice cream producer on the island has its factory located at 1 Synergasias Street.Sport
AchilleasAchilleas
Achilleas is a Cypriot basketball club founded in 1943, nowadays running basketball, volleyball and table tennis divisions. It has been an integral part of the community in the suburb of Kaimakli in Nicosia...
is a Cypriot basketball club founded in 1943, nowadays running basketball, volleyball and table tennis divisions. It has been an integral part of the community in the suburb of Kaimakli in Nicosia. The club is named after Achilles (Ἀχιλλεύς) a legendary figure of the Greek mythology.
Etymology
It seems that Kaimakli derives from kaymaki meaning [the] froth [in a cup of Turkish coffee].However Rubert Gunnis states that the suburb took its name from a farm which produced clotted cream which in Turkish is known as Kiamak.