The famous Ataturk Square, which is located in the northern Turkish part of Nicosia, is one of the most significant historical sites in the city. It is also called "Saray Square" because earlier, during the Lusignan era, a beautiful palace stood there, where the governor later settled when the Ottomans took over the island. But even the Turks called this building "Saray" - "palace". The mansion was in the refined Venetian style - it was a real palace complex with a courtyard, arcades, many beautiful rooms and even a throne room.
However, when the British troops entered the city, this beautiful building was completely destroyed. All that was left of its former splendour was a large fountain built during Ottoman times. In addition, a tall granite column remains in the square itself, which was moved there by the Venetians back in 1489 from the Greek city of Salamin (Salamis). At that time it was decorated with a traditional sculpture of a lion. After the capture of the city by the Turks, the lion was removed from the column. Later, the British placed a large bronze globe on top to symbolise the power of the British Empire. Also in 1953 they installed a new stone pedestal with the image of the British coat of arms in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's ascension to the throne. The British also erected several large buildings there in the early 20th century, one of which now houses the supreme court and the other a bank.
The square got its current name in honour of the famous Kemal Ataturk, the first president of the Turkish Republic, who is actually the founder of modern Turkey.
