Description of the attraction
The famous Ataturk Square, which is located in the northern Turkish part of Nicosia, is one of the most significant historical sites in the city. It is also called "Saray Square", as earlier, in the era of the Lusignans, there was a beautiful palace in which later, when the Ottomans seized power on the island, the governor settled. But even the Turks called this building "Saray" - "palace". The mansion was designed in a sophisticated Venetian style - it was a real palace complex with an inner courtyard, arcades, many beautiful rooms and even a throne room.
However, when British troops entered the city, this beautiful building was completely destroyed. From all its former splendor, only a large fountain, built during the Ottoman era, remained. In addition, a high granite column remained on the square itself, which was transferred there by the Venetians back in 1489 from the Greek city of Salamis (Salamis). Then it was decorated with a traditional lion sculpture. After the capture of the city by the Turks, the lion was removed from the column. Later, the British secured a large bronze globe at the top, which was supposed to symbolize the power of the British Empire. Also in 1953, they installed a new stone pedestal on the square with the coat of arms of Britain in honor of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II. Also, at the beginning of the 20th century, the British erected several large buildings there, in one of which is now the Supreme Court, and in the other - a bank.
The square got its current name in honor of the famous Kemal Ataturk - the first president of the Turkish Republic, who is actually the founder of modern Turkey.
