Strovolos

Strovolos (Greek: Στρόβολος; Turkish: Strovolos; Armenian: Ստրովոլոս) is a municipality of Nicosia. With a population of nearly 70,000, it is the second biggest municipality in Cyprus, after Limassol, and the biggest municipality of Nicosia. It was established in 1986.

Strovolos is now a town covering 25 square kilometres (9.7 sq mi) divided into six parishes: Chryseleousa, Ayios Demetrios, Apostle Barnabas and Ayia Marina, Ayios Vasilios, National Martyr Kyprianos and Stavros.

History

The name Strovolos is said to originate from the Greek word "strovilos" (Στρόβιλος) as in "anemo-strovilos" which means whirlwind or twister. There are references to Strovolos or Strovilos as early as the Middle Ages from the well-known medieval chronicler Leontios Makhairas and from Florius Boustronius a little later. According to these sources, Strovolos was a royal field during the years of Frankish Rule. A major and definitive figure in the history of Strovolos was the National Martyr, Archbishop Kyprianos, who before the 1821 Revolution in Greece, contributed greatly to the preservation of the Greek spirit and Christianity. The Turks hanged Archbishop Kyprianos and other high priests and dignitaries of Cyprus on 9 July 1821.

Strovolos evolved into its present form after the events of 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus and occupied 38% of the island’s territory. This led to the settlement of many refugees within the Municipality.

The Chryseleousa parish was named after the Greek orthodox church of the same name that was built around the 12th Century.

Municipal Theater

Rainbow over Strovolos

The Municipal Theatre and the Music Hall of the Municipality of Strovolos has been designed so as to host a broad amount of artistic activities such as concerts, operas, ballets, and theatre performances. Its size is for about 870 people including seats for people with special needs. This place has been designed with high standards. Particular attention has been paid to the study and implementation of the acoustic demands. Up to today the acoustic results have been proved to be very good according to the positive comments and the enthusiasm of the musical conductors, the soloists, and of the musicians who participated in several activities in the Hall.

In 2014 the busts of Vasilis Michaelides and Demetris Lipertis, which had been placed outside the theater in 2013 were inaugurated at a ceremony which also celebrated El Greco. So a current photo in this article could update the existing one (this phrase should also change accordingly when the new photo is in place).

The whole set of buildings has a big reception place which is connected with the reception place of the Municipal Building, modern and comfortable dressing rooms with hygienic places, a modern practice hall, a refreshment room for the artists, offices and storing places. It has all the equipment that is necessary for the successful organization and attendance of performances.

For the development of athletics, an area for which the Municipality of Strovolos has a long tradition, the Municipality established the Municipal Athletic Center in which, among other facilities, includes a football pitch, mini football pitches and tennis courts.

Environment

Bright green parks have been created for the entertainment of the citizens, parks that beautify and transform the whole area. More than 100 green places have been created in the city of Strovolos. Today 42 organized green places exist with amphitheatres, lakes, fountains and play-places. Parks include those of Acropolis and Ayios Demetrios. The Strovolos River Trail has been developed in the recent years and is now one of the most popular places for walking, running and cycling. It is lit and starts behind the park of the Nicosia Munical Theatre and finishes in the Tamassos Dam.

Social welfare

The Municipality of Strovolos has also played a pioneer role in other areas such as social services, with the establishment of a club for the elderly in which specialized people offer their care to the elder people. Youth clubs for the recreation and education of primary children have also been established. In addition, the Municipality of Strovolos has established a Counseling Center that offers free services on issues of mental health, addictive substances, marriage, family, etc. The Center also organizes different activities for a financial support for those who suffer. On Christmas and New Year’s Day and at Easter, the Mayor and members of the Municipal Council visit charitable institutions of Strovolos and offer presents and sweets. In the area of health among other matters, a complete programme of preventive medicine has been put into action, for the students of primary and High Schools.

Education

The municipality of Strovolos has several elementary schools and a gymnasium. There are two private schools in the area, the GC School of Careers and The English School.

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

Strovolos is twinned with:

• Veria, Greece (1993)^[2]

References

External links

• Official website

Municipalities of Cyprus
Nicosia District	Aglantzia Ayios Dhometios Dali Engomi Kythrea Lakatamia Latsia Morphou Nicosia Strovolos Tseri Yeri
Limassol District	Ayios Athanasios Ipsonas Kato Polemidia Limassol Mesa Yitonia Yermasoyia
Larnaca District	Athienou Aradippou Dromolaxia-Meneou Larnaca Livadia Lefkara
Famagusta District	Ayia Napa Akanthou Dherynia Famagusta Lefkoniko Lysi Paralimni Sotira
Paphos District	Geroskipou Paphos Peyia Polis Chrysochous
Kyrenia District	Karavas Kyrenia Lapithos