Heroes Square: An old Turkish ghetto that became a beloved square for Limassol’s locals

The Heroes Square has been Limassol’s reference point for about a century. However, it went through many different stages and changed several times over the years, until it became a purely Turkish district, in the square that we know of today.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the area was called ‘Kkeseogloudkia’, which was named after a wealthy Turk of Syrian origin, Kioseoglou who bought it around 1860.During those years, it used to be a poor neighborhood with mud-brick houses, whilst Greek Cypriots were prohibited from entering the area.

Gradually, the inhabitants’ population became more varied. The placement of the Heroes of World War II monument became a historical landmark, also resulting in the area’s current name.

Nonetheless, the drastic change came in 1930 with the introduction of restaurants and nightclubs. The cafes as well as burlesques (which presented variety shows for everyone) became the attractions of the area. The operation of Rialto cinema generated a range of entertainment options, in addition to an ice rink that was seasonally in operation.

Leaving the ‘70s-‘80s entirely behind, The Heroes Square-which had been negatively associated with infamous hangout spots in the past- has been increasingly improving the past few years, with places providing food and drink, while the Rialto Theater still remains a timeless core of culture in the area.

Information: Limassolinhistory & Adamos Kombou, "Limassol’s Points of Reference", 2016
Historical photos: Pattichio Municipal Museum - Historical Archive - Limassol Study Center