Nicosia is the cultural centre of Cyprus, the capital presents two distinct faces: the old, original part of the city, surrounded by sturdy Venetian walls over 400 years old, and a busy modern metropolis which has a population of approximately 214.000. Within the large area encircled by the strong bastion walls that served to protect the town for centuries are many places of great historic interest.

This is Eleftheria Square it links old Nicosia with the elegant modern city that has developed outside the walls, where there are many hotels, business offices, restaurants and gardens which blend happily with the fine old houses and colonial buildings in this cosmopolitan city.