Eleftheria Square – Nicosia

In the capital of Cyprus, where ancient walls still encircle a living, breathing modern city, Eleftheria Square (Plateia Eleftherias, meaning “Freedom Square”) stands as both a physical and symbolic center — a space where history, identity, and contemporary design collide.

Reimagined by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the square is more than just a public space. It’s a statement. A bridge between the old and the new, between past scars and present hope. In a city divided for half a century, Eleftheria Square pulses with meaning — and ambition.

Before its radical redesign, Eleftheria Square was little more than a traffic-filled crossroads, built over the ancient moat that surrounds Nicosia’s Venetian walls — fortifications dating back to the 16th century. The square connected key city arteries and served as a gathering point for protests, parades, and public events. But it lacked character, cohesion, and a true sense of place.

In the early 2000s, Nicosia launched an international design competition, ultimately selecting Zaha Hadid Architects to reimagine the square. What followed was a lengthy and controversial process — with delays, technical challenges (due to archaeological finds), and public debate. But by the time it opened in stages from 2021 onward, Eleftheria Square had become one of the most striking urban transformations on the island

Zaha Hadid’s vision for the square was bold: to transform the neglected moat area into a fluid, sculptural space that blurs the boundaries between natural and built environments.

Key design features include:

• Floating walkways and curving ramps that gently guide pedestrians from the upper city into the lower moat level, where people now gather, sit, and move freely.
• A minimalist plaza paved in light grey stone, opening up visual lines to the medieval walls, especially the imposing D’Avila Bastion.
• Amphitheater-style seating and open areas designed to host concerts, cultural events, and community gatherings.
• A green space that weaves organically around the stone, including olive trees and native plants that nod to Cyprus’s Mediterranean ecology.
• Subtle lighting design, creating a different atmosphere after sunset — dramatic but not overwhelming.

Hadid’s hallmark curvilinear forms are everywhere, transforming once-disconnected areas into a cohesive, flowing space that encourages people to slow down and stay.

Few public squares in Europe sit so literally and metaphorically at a crossroads. Nicosia is the last divided capital on the continent, with the UN buffer zone (the Green Line) slicing the city in two since the Turkish invasion in 1974. Just a few hundred meters north of Eleftheria Square is Ledra Street, where a pedestrian crossing links the Republic of Cyprus with the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

In this context, Eleftheria Square’s name — “Freedom” — resonates deeply. Though modern in form, it pays tribute to the city’s longing for unity, mobility, and renewal. It’s no coincidence that protests, national celebrations, and youth gatherings now gravitate here. This is where people reclaim space, identity, and voice.

Beyond its architecture and symbolism, Eleftheria Square has quickly become a cultural hub and a local hangout spot. Families with strollers, teenagers on skateboards, couples sipping coffee from nearby cafés — the square pulses with daily life.

Surrounding highlights include:

• Ledra and Onasagorou Streets: Just steps away, these narrow lanes offer a mix of boutiques, bars, souvenir shops, and street art.
• Leventis Municipal Museum: A few minutes’ walk away, this museum tells the layered story of Nicosia from antiquity to the present.
• City Hall and the D’Avila Moat: Adjacent institutions that often host cultural events, festivals, and outdoor exhibitions.
• Public Art Installations: Including temporary and permanent pieces that enhance the sense of the square as a living, evolving canvas.

No urban renewal project of this scale comes without its critics. Some argue the square feels too stark, lacking enough greenery or shade. Others point to the prolonged construction phase and escalating costs as sore points. However, supporters argue that modern cities need brave design — and that Nicosia, long overshadowed by political tension, deserves bold, world-class public spaces.

Eleftheria Square is not just a place to pass through. It’s a place to pause, to reflect, and to feel the undercurrent of a city that’s constantly negotiating its identity.

It embodies what many Cypriots hope for — a country that can honor its rich past while daring to embrace a modern, inclusive future. Whether you come for the architecture, the atmosphere, or the symbolism, Eleftheria Square leaves a lasting impression.

Visitor Info

• Best time to visit: Evenings in spring or autumn — when the heat softens and the lights bring the space to life.
• Getting there: Easy to reach on foot if you’re staying in central Nicosia. Closest public parking is in the D’Avila Bastion area.
• What to bring: A camera, water, and time to explore the surrounding neighborhoods.

Eleftheria Square is more than an urban facelift. It’s Nicosia daring to dream — and inviting you to be part of the story.