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Atatürk Square (or Sarayönü) was the political centre of Cyprus for
centuries, for the northern face of the square (now filled with
ex-colonial police barracks) was once filled by the Saray, the Gothic
Palace of the governor throughout the Frankish, Venetian and Ottoman
periods. In 1904 an unimaginative British administration demolished this
700 year-old complex with its fine apartments, arcaded courtyard and
throne hall. Only a hexagonal Ottoman fountain survived, to which a
British colonial review stand was added in 1920s.
In the centre of the square stands the Venetian Column, which was
crowned by the lion of St. Mark until toppled by the victorious Turks in
1570.
This granite column, traditionally believed to be have been quarried
from the temple of Jupiter at Salamis, lay in the grounds of the
Sarayönü mosque for several centuries.
The British re-erected it during the First World War, when they were at
war with the Ottoman Empire. They decorated the new plinth with the two
dates of the columns erection, 1550 and 1915, by a pair of maritime
Empires that were each fated to rule Cyprus for exactly the same period,
84 years.
The original Sarayönü mosque was demolished at the turn of the century
and but for its minaret, replaced by something Moorish. Horseshoe arches
were used freely both within and without, by an English architect who
ignored Cyprus' visible Ottoman, Byzantine, Gothic and vernacular
traditions in favour of his inadequate recollection of Andalucia. It is
no longer used for prayer, and its shaded outdoor benches make an
inviting place for a quiet read. |
