On Tuesday, July 1, Nicosia said goodbye to one of its most iconic architectural landmarks forever.
The historic Makedonitissa Palace, formerly known as the Makedonitissa Center, was demolished in the Engomi district of the capital.
For more than six decades, locals had celebrated weddings, christenings, and other family events there. From the very beginning, the banquet center became an important place for Cypriots. Its convenient location next to the Panagia Makedonitissa Church ensured the palace's popularity. A pond with swans created a special atmosphere — a real curiosity for the 1960s. The snow-white birds became the center's unofficial symbol, turning it into a city landmark. Families, schoolchildren, and tourists came here.
Over the years, the area around Makedonitissa Palace changed dramatically. Fields gave way to houses and residential neighborhoods. The center itself has also undergone several transformations. The halls have been renovated, the infrastructure has been modernized, and the name has been changed to Makedonitissa Palace. Despite these changes, the center retains a special aura, evoking the glamour of a bygone era and the generous warmth of Cypriot hospitality.
However, the tenant's financial difficulties, debts to the archdiocese, and escalating disputes ultimately left the center without management. It closed its doors, becoming a ghost of its own history. Since 2019, Makedonitissa Palace has stood empty. The building has gradually fallen into disrepair. It was called an "architectural anachronism," abandoned yet still evoking nostalgia. The decision to demolish the building put an end to its long, beautiful history.
Recall that in 1947, the Archbishop leased a plot of land to a private individual.
According to the agreement, the annual rent was £25 for the first ten years. Then, the payments increased to £125 per year. The plot of land was huge and located on a hill, making it generally suitable for agricultural purposes. At that time, 47 farmers cultivated it. The archbishop required that the tenant plant olive trees and vineyards on the hill.
The tenant immediately began construction of a grandiose complex. There was nothing like it in Cyprus at the time. The palace, as it was called, appealed to all visitors at first sight. The Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God Makedonitissa was located next to it, so many couples who were married in the cathedral or had their children baptized there celebrated these events at Makedonitissa Palace.
The demolition of Makedonitissa Palace is more than just the removal of a dilapidated building in the capital. It is a farewell to an entire layer of Nicosia's cultural memory. It was a place where brides danced in white dresses, older generations held lavish feasts, and children watched graceful swans with bated breath.