The Presidential Palace (Greek: Προεδρικό ΜέγαροProedrikó MégaroTurkish: Cumhurbaşkanlığı Sarayı) is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Republic of Cyprus. It is located close to the centre of Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus, and is surrounded by a thick pine woodland.
The original building was a prefabricated structure erected in November 1878 on a site known as Snake Hill, on which Richard the Lionheart is said to have set up camp.[1] The building was shipped by the war office from London to Ceylon, its original destination; but by the time it reached Port Said, it was no longer required there, and was diverted to Cyprus. The building arrived in Larnaca and was transported to Nicosia in boxes on the backs of camels.[2]
The building was burned down during the pro-Enosisriots of 21 October 1931. As a result of the disturbances, a special law was enacted by Sir Ronald Storrs, the Governor of Cyprus, on 21 December 1931, whereby the Greek Cypriot inhabitants had to pay for the building of a new Government House. A total of £34,315 was demanded, payable by 30 June 1932. The amounts required from various towns included £14,000 from Nicosia, £5,500 from Limassol, £5000 from Famagusta, £2000 from Larnaca, £500 from Paphos, and £6315 from villages.[2]
The new building was designed by Maurice Webb of the firm of Sir Aston Webb & Sons, Westminster, London. Construction was undertaken by J V Hamilton & L F Weldon of the Public Works Department, Nicosia. The main structure was built of Yerolakkos sandstone, with harder sandstone from Limassol used for the staircases. Construction was completed in 1937, at a total cost of £70,000. Among the Palace's most prominent features are the British coat-of-arms, and four gargoyles with human heads depicting the British general foreman in charge of construction, the head mason, the head carpenter, and an unknown labourer.[3][4] The building was originally named Government House; in 1960, it was renamed the Presidential Palace.[1]
The structure was gutted by fire during the coup d'état by the Cypriot National Guard and EOKA-B on 15 July 1974, and was rebuilt by the Public Works Department and Philippou Brothers in 1977. The rebuilding costs were paid by the Greek Government.[5]
On 28 May 2010, it was announced that the building was to have a €1.2 million upgrade to reduce its carbon emissions. The project included solar panels in the car park, a new ventilation system, and replacement of windows.[6] A further €2.7 million was spent to build a new hall for Cyprus's 2012 European Union Presidency.[7] The new hall opened on 17 May 2012; it can seat 500 people, or 300 if seated by table.[8]
presidential, palace, nicosia, confused, with, presidential, mansion, athens, which, same, name, greek, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, . Not to be confused with the Presidential Mansion in Athens which has the same name in Greek This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Presidential Palace Nicosia news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Presidential Palace Greek Proedriko Megaro Proedriko Megaro Turkish Cumhurbaskanligi Sarayi is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Republic of Cyprus It is located close to the centre of Nicosia the capital city of Cyprus and is surrounded by a thick pine woodland The palace Contents 1 History 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksHistory edit nbsp President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias with President of Russia Dmitry MedvedevThe original building was a prefabricated structure erected in November 1878 on a site known as Snake Hill on which Richard the Lionheart is said to have set up camp 1 The building was shipped by the war office from London to Ceylon its original destination but by the time it reached Port Said it was no longer required there and was diverted to Cyprus The building arrived in Larnaca and was transported to Nicosia in boxes on the backs of camels 2 The building was burned down during the pro Enosis riots of 21 October 1931 As a result of the disturbances a special law was enacted by Sir Ronald Storrs the Governor of Cyprus on 21 December 1931 whereby the Greek Cypriot inhabitants had to pay for the building of a new Government House A total of 34 315 was demanded payable by 30 June 1932 The amounts required from various towns included 14 000 from Nicosia 5 500 from Limassol 5000 from Famagusta 2000 from Larnaca 500 from Paphos and 6315 from villages 2 The new building was designed by Maurice Webb of the firm of Sir Aston Webb amp Sons Westminster London Construction was undertaken by J V Hamilton amp L F Weldon of the Public Works Department Nicosia The main structure was built of Yerolakkos sandstone with harder sandstone from Limassol used for the staircases Construction was completed in 1937 at a total cost of 70 000 Among the Palace s most prominent features are the British coat of arms and four gargoyles with human heads depicting the British general foreman in charge of construction the head mason the head carpenter and an unknown labourer 3 4 The building was originally named Government House in 1960 it was renamed the Presidential Palace 1 The structure was gutted by fire during the coup d etat by the Cypriot National Guard and EOKA B on 15 July 1974 and was rebuilt by the Public Works Department and Philippou Brothers in 1977 The rebuilding costs were paid by the Greek Government 5 On 28 May 2010 it was announced that the building was to have a 1 2 million upgrade to reduce its carbon emissions The project included solar panels in the car park a new ventilation system and replacement of windows 6 A further 2 7 million was spent to build a new hall for Cyprus s 2012 European Union Presidency 7 The new hall opened on 17 May 2012 it can seat 500 people or 300 if seated by table 8 See also editGovernment Houses of the British Empire and CommonwealthReferences edit a b Presidential Palace in Nicosia Cyprus Tourist Spots From Around The World Retrieved 17 March 2013 a b Kevork K Keshishian 1990 Nicosia the Capital of Cyprus Then and Now ISBN 9963 571 21 2 Cyprus H D Purcell Ernest benn 1968 ASIN B004WLSBMW Dr Rita C Severis amp Dr Michael Given Hellenic Bank 2004 Monuments and Memories Government House ISBN 9963 42 702 2 Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus Presidential Palace Presidency gov cy Archived from the original on 25 April 2015 Retrieved 8 October 2009 Dewhurst Patrick 28 May 2010 1 2 million to upgrade presidential palace Cyprus Mail Archived from the original on 29 May 2010 Retrieved 28 May 2010 Extension for Presidential Palace The Cypriot Chronicle 24 March 2012 Archived from the original on 24 March 2012 Retrieved 1 June 2011 1 dead link External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Presidential Palace Nicosia Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus The Presidential Palace35 09 20 N 33 20 50 E 35 1556 N 33 3473 E 35 1556 33 3473 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Presidential Palace Nicosia amp oldid 1163909789, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
