Hermes Street


Hermes Street was a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia. It runs from the North end of Ledra Street and into Ektoros Street in the East.

History

Before Venetian times the River Pedieos course ran through the centre of the town, however this was then diverted when the new walls were built. The old river bed then became an open sewer until the arrival of the British in 1878. They found the cities sanitation to be in an appalling state so they decided the ownership of the land be given to anyone who could assist in rebuilding the area. Hermes Street was built in 1881 with the help of builders and labourers from the Kaimakli area. They constructed the Cities main sewer under the street and built many shops on street level. The authorities gave many of the premises to the builders as a reward for their efforts.
The Street found itself located on the edge of the Greek Quarter of the City from 1958 until 1974.

Today

Two thirds of the street is located abandoned within the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus. From the Ledra Street crossing a metal gate blocks access into Hermes Street, however part of the street is still accessible from Manis Street.