Ayios Antonios, Nicosia

Ayios Antonios (Greek: Άγιος Αντώνιος) is a Neighbourhood, Quarter, Mahalla or Parish of Nicosia, Cyprus[3][4] and the parish church thereof.

Ayios Antonios

Άγιος Αντώνιος
Ayios Antonios municipal market
Ayios Antonios
Location in Cyprus
Coordinates: 35°10′18″N 33°22′4″E
Country Cyprus
DistrictNicosia District
MunicipalityNicosia
Government
  KoinotarchThelma Ioannidou[1]
Population
 (2011)[2]
  Total5,801

At the last Census (2011) it had a population of 5,801,[2] an increase from a population of 5,233 in 2001. It covers 97 streets in the south-east corner of the municipal area of Nicosia.[5]

History

Ayios Antonios Church
Ayios Antonios school

It is one of the 24 historic Neighbourhoods of Nicosia within the walls.[3] In 1923 it was extended to encompass an area outside the walls between Larnaca Road and the Constanza bastion[6]

The church was founded in 1736,[7] but embodied in the walls are architectural parts of previous churches.[8]

Landmarks

The church is located in Ayios Antonios Street and is about 3 feet below street level and surrounded by an irregular courtyard. It has three arched entrances and a tall bell tower, while inside there is a single aisle.[8] The arched porch has a pointed vault. A similar vault with imposts is the principal feature of the interior. There are windows at the sides and a gallery over the entrance. We see also a fine canopy, similar to the one in the Trypiotis church. The front bears the date 1736. Then irregular courtyard is surrounded by a colonnade.[7]

Other important buildings in the neighbourhood are Ayios Antonios school and the neighbouring Ayios Antonios municipal market. The school's formal name is "Evgenias and Antoniou Theodotou Primary School". It is one of the three oldest primary schools in Nicosia. It started functioning in its present location in 1926, although during 1940-44 the building was appropriated by the army for war use.[9]

References

  1. Official list of Koinotarchs published by Nicosia Municipality http://www.nicosia.org.cy/el-GR/informations/community-registrars/ Retrieved December 2014
  2. "Population - Place of Residence, 2011". Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT). 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  3. Coexistence in the Disappeared Mixed Neighbourhoods of Nicosia by Ahmet An (Paper read at the conference: Nicosia: The Last Divided Capital in Europe, organized by the London Metropolitan University on 20 June 2011)
  4. 6th edition of the publication "Statistical Codes of Municipalities, Communities and Quarters of Cyprus" (publ. Statistical Service of Republic of Cyprus)
  5. Municipality/Community, Quarter and Street Index published by Ministry of Information (CILIS_streets_022011)
  6. Order No. 397 published in Cyprus Gazette No. 1597, 4 August 1923
  7. Levkosia: The Capital Of Cyprus, by Louis Salvator (publ.1881)
  8. Exploring Nicosia - (In Greek), by Marios Stylianou (publ Selas books 2002),
  9. See http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/middle/global/pupilcyp/school.htm Archived 1 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 2013
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