| Engomi Έγκωμη |
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Engomi
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Cyprus |
| District | Nicosia District |
| Municipality | |
| Population (2001)[1] | |
| • Total | 13,600 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
This article is about the suburb of Nicosia. For the ancient settlement near Famagusta, see: Enkomi
Engomi (Greek: Έγκωμη) is a suburb of the Cypriot capital Nicosia. It has a population of around 13,600 (2001 census). It is a mainly residential neighbourhood with many large villas. It also includes a very important annexe to the powerful Monastery of Our Lady Eleousa.
Engomi has a large diplomatic presence.[2] The embassies of Egypt, France, the United States and Russia are located in the neighborhood.[2]
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Engomi most likely originated in 1567 after the demolition of houses and 80 roughly churches and monasteries outside Nicosia, when the Venetians built the new walls around Nicosia, which stand to this day. When the old Lusignan walls were demolished and the new walls erected, the perimeter was reduced from 4 miles to 3 miles in order to strengthen their defensive capability and limit the number of soldiers that were required for their manning. The homeless residents of the demolished settlements were moved to south-west of Nicosia to a distance of 1.5 miles from the new wall of city and half a mile the existing village of St. Dometios. Joining with farmers of the local area, they founded Engomi. The initial core of settlement constituted the area north-east of the old church of St Nicholas (near Makarios square).[3]
During the period of Ottoman domination Engomi constituted a small rural community with main occupations of residents being arable agriculture and livestock-farming. And for these two occupations the suburb was endowed with very suitable conditions thanks to the fertile ground, particularly around Metochi, and abundant wild vegetation in elevated area around Makedonitissa and the present day site of Nicosia Airport. Until the first decades of the 20th century the residents of the village continued to be engaged mainly with agriculture.
By the time of the Second World War certain manufacturers were established. With the increase of population of the village and the widespread use of the bicycle, many residents of Engomi began to work in Nicosia.
After independence (1960) and particularly after 1980 Engomi developed very quickly and became one of the most modern and more developed municipalities of greater Nicosia.
Engomi became one of the "demes" or boroughs of Cyprus in February 1986 after a referendum held under the Municipalities Act of 1985 (Law 111/85). The first Mayor and Council were elected in the elections held in May 1986. The first elected Mayor was Mr Michalakis Zivanaris.
The municipal council consists of 12 Councillors and the Mayor, elected in elections held every five years, in the month of December, according to the Municipalities Act. The last municipal elections were held in 2006 and the mandate of the current council expires in December 2011 [4].
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