|
|
Aglantzia Municipality is contiguous to Nicosia Municipality, the capital of Cyprus. It is a Municipality near the buffer zone with a surface of 31 square kilometres (kmē), of which 14 kmē are agricultural land occupied by the Turkish army since 1974. Out of the 17kmē of free land, 9 kmē are national forest parks (Athalassa park 8,6kmē and Pedagogical Academy park 8,4 kmē).
Aglantzia is Nicosia's highest suburb, since its largest part is built either on hills or on hillsides or at tableland level. Aglantzia was built in mediaeval times, before Ottoman rule, on an important site for defensive purposes, the existence of natural resources and its healthy climate.
The natural environment of Aglantzia is unique, being not only endowed with the big lung of Nicosia, Athalassa Forest, but also with Ayiou Georgiou park, Aglantzia Municipal park, as well as 45 small parks and green spaces. Aglantzia is built along the road which led from Nicosia to Larnaca before the invasion. Two trapezoid hills overlook the site on both sides. The hill on the left is Arona hill, which is now under Turkish occupation. The trapezoid hill on the right of the road is called Aronas of Athalassa or Mount Lion or Liontarovounos, on which the remains of the medieval La Cava castle stand.
Aglantzia has a population of 22.000 inhabitants, of whom 7.500 are refugees. Aglantzia combines the old and the new. It maintains a nucleus with traditional bricked houses with yards; its narrow streets refresh you with their human breath, whereas it is surrounded by more recent large houses, a few blocks of flats and refugees housings. Aglantzia is one of the excellent built-up areas of broader Nicosia. Aglantzia is characterized by Athalassa forests, the hypsometrical differences of the land, its neighboring with and easy access to the centre of Nicosia, the harmonious linking of the traditional and the new, and the tens of development works the Local Authority has to present.
The inhabitants of Aglantzia have left the marks of their religiousness in the churches and chapels since remote times. The big Ayiou Georgiou church stands in the heart of Aglantzia, and further up there are Apostle Andreas church, built on the initiative of refugees, Ayiou Nektariou church, Ayiou Georgiou Athalassas chapel, the country churches of Panayia, Ayiou Georgiou and Ayia Mavri. The younger scions of Aglantzia Municipality are educated in six elementary schools and three secondary schools.
The Municipality, proud of its cultural tradition, mentions with boast the Elias Aletras Popular Theatre, which honours Aglantzia with its contribution.
Aglantzia was declared a Municipality by a referendum in May 1986. The Municipal Council is made up of the Mayor and fourteen Municipal Councillors. The first, the second as well as the third Municipal Councils have worked in a spirit of comprehension and cooperation, having as a main and unique aim the progress and development of the Municipality. Based on the development Programmes, the three Municipal Councils have created tens of infrastructure development works, which have marked the progress and development of our town.
Aglantzia Municipality gives a special impulse to Cultural development, the protection and improvement of the Environment and Social Policy.
The activities of Aglantzia Municipality are as follows:-
|
|
