Nicosia

On August 16, 1960, Cyprus gained independence from British rule. Nicosia became the capital of the newly established Republic of Cyprus. The agreements that led to independence involved complex negotiations between the UK's colonial administration, and the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, resulting in a power-sharing constitution. However, interethnic tensions remained unresolved, leading to future conflict between the two communities.

The Battle of Nicosia on December 24, 1963, marked the beginning of intercommunal violence in Cyprus. The fighting in Nicosia left dozens dead and divided the city along ethnic lines into Turkish and Greek sectors for the first time. This confrontation was fueled by constitutional disputes between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, leading to further escalation and the eventual division of the entire island a decade later.

On July 20, 1974, Turkey launched a military intervention in Cyprus following a coup by the Greek military junta aiming to annex the island. The invasion led to a massive displacement of people, particularly affecting Nicosia as it became a divided city, with a buffer zone known as the Green Line. This division persists today and symbolizes the island's split between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

On November 15, 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was unilaterally declared in the northern part of Cyprus, with Nicosia serving as its capital. This declaration followed years of political stalemate and lack of resolution between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. The TRNC is recognized only by Turkey, and its establishment deepened the island's division, affecting diplomatic relations and peace efforts in the region.

On April 23, 2003, the first crossing since the division of Cyprus in 1974 was opened at the Ledra Palace in Nicosia. This move was part of confidence-building measures to improve intercommunal relations across the divided island. Thousands of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots crossed the checkpoint on the first day, an emotional milestone for many who were separated from their homes and families for nearly three decades.

On April 24, 2004, the Annan Plan, which was a United Nations proposal to resolve the Cyprus dispute, was put to simultaneous referendums in both the North and South of the island. Nicosia, as the capital, was a focal point of political activity. The plan was accepted by the Turkish Cypriot community but overwhelmingly rejected by the Greek Cypriot side, leading to continued division. This plan aimed to create a federation of two constituent states.

On January 21, 2008, officials from both the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus agreed to open Ledra Street, a key street in the divided city of Nicosia, for pedestrian crossing. The opening was part of increased efforts to improve relations between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. The street had been a symbol of the division since the conflict in 1974, with a barrier erected at the time. This development was seen as a significant step towards peace and reconciliation.

On March 21, 2008, a landmark event occurred as authorities began demolishing the barriers along Nicosia's Ledra Street. Seen as a significant move towards reunification, the removal was in preparation for reopening the crossing through the historic street, which had been a physical and symbolic divide since 1963. This gesture aimed to foster trust between communities and follow up on previous agreements to open more crossing points across the island.

On March 25, 2013, the banks in Cyprus's capital Nicosia were closed as the country negotiated a bailout deal with international lenders. The financial crisis had reached its peak, resulting in the Cypriot government agreeing to a controversial €10 billion bailout deal. The agreement required Cyprus to implement severe austerity measures and restructure its banking sector, including taxing deposits of over €100,000, which was met with massive protests in Nicosia.

In May 2016, high-level reunification talks were held in Geneva aiming to resolve the longstanding conflict on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Nicosia played a central role as the capital of the divided island. The talks involved leaders from both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities alongside international mediators. Discussions focused on territorial adjustments, security arrangements, and governance structures to enable a functional federal state.