The Presidential Palace (Greek: Προεδρικό Μέγαρο Proedrikó Mégaro) is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Republic of Cyprus. It is located close to the centre of the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, and is surrounded by a thick pine woodland.
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The original building was a prefabricated structure erected in November 1878 on a site known as snake hill (Richard the Lionheart is said to have set up camp here)The building was shipped by the war office from London to it original destination Ceylon, by the time it reached Port Said it was diverted to Cyprus since it was no longer required. The building arrived in Larnaca and transported on the backs of camels on boxes by a local contractor known as Mr Z Williamson.[1]
The building was burnt down during the Enosis riots of the 21st October 1931.As a result of the disturbances a special law was enacted by the Governor of the Island Sir Ronald Storrs on the 21st December 1931 where by the Greek Cypriot inhabitants had to pay for a new Government house to be built. The total amount being £34315 payable by the 30th June 1932 .The amount payable for each town was Nicosia £14,000, Limassol £5,500, Famagusta £5000, Larnaca £2000, Paphos £500 and the villages £6315.[2]
The new building was designed by Mr Maurice Webb F.R.I.B.A of the firm of Sir Aston Webb & Sons, Westminster, London and construction was undertaken by J V Hamilton & L F Weldon of the Public Works Department, Nicosia. The main structure was built of Yerolakkos Sandstone with harder sandstone from Limassol used for the staircases. Total cost of the build was £70,000 and was completed in 1937. Among the Palace's most prominent features are the British coat-of-arms four gargoyles with human heads depicting the British General Foreman in charge of construction, the head mason, head carpenter and an unknown labourer.[3][4]
On the 16th August 1960 Government House was renamed the Presidential Palace
The structure was gutted by fire during the Coup d’etat by the Greek Junta and EOKA-B on the 15th July 1974 and was rebuilt by the Public Works Department and Philippou Brothers in 1977. The rebuilding costs were paid by the Greek Government.
On the 28th May 2010 it was announced that the building is to have a 1.2 Million Euro upgrade to cut the amount of carbon emissions that is produced. New systems to be installed are Solar Panels in the car park, new ventilation system and replacement of windows.[5] In addition to this a further £2.7 million euros(May 2011) will be spent to build a new hall for the purpose of the 2012 Cyprus EU Presidency. A. Panayides Contracting Public Limited will conduct the works[6]
Kevork K Keshishian (1990 )Nicosia the Capital of Cyprus Then and Now ISBN 9963-571-21-2
Dr Rita C Severis & Dr Michael Given, Hellenic Bank (2004) Monuments and Memories Government House ISBN 9963-42-702-2