Ledra Palace Checkpoint

After the Turkish invasion and the partition of the island in 1974. The Ledra Palace border crossing was the major route between the 2 parts of the Island. In 1999 and 2001 this crossing was not open to normal citizens but for officials, UN personnel and SBA personnel. I was able to use this crossing as my Brother in Law was a UK Civil Servant working in WSBA. Details here In 2024 it remains a restricted crossing for diplomatic and official cars. Tourists can however, cross by foot. This is one of my favourite border crossings and it was fascinating to see all the changes that have occurred. I visited this point as part of the IBRG CYBEX-24

The crossing was named after the hotel adjacent to the crossing which prior to the invasion was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. After the invasion it was within the UN buffer zone and became the HQ for Sector 2 of UNFICYP until 2017 when it was deemed to be not fit for purpose due to health and safety concerns.

Click on the above image for Google Maps location

The Southern side

Walking from our hotel near the Paphos gate a lot of POI’s were observed. The Nicosia Walls, and the first views of the buffer zone. Upon entering Markou Drakou Street the UN Sector 2 HQ is immediately on the left. Sector Two is the responsibility of the British Contingent, and has been since 1993 when the Canadian Contingent withdrew its major unit from UNFICYP.

The Sector’s Headquarters is located at Wolseley Barracks, inside the buffer zone near the western edge of the Venetian Walls that surround Nicosia’s old town. One company-size unit is located on the ceasefire lines and patrols the buffer zone in this area.

The British Contingent also provides personnel to UNFICYP’s Mobile Force Reserve and to mission Headquarters.

Moving onward towards the RoC checkpoint there are 2 further POI’s. The office of the Kyrenia municipality whose mission is raising awareness and sensitising on the matter of the Cyprus Problem both in Cyprus and abroad as well as promoting the interests of the displaced population through the organisation of events, meetings with local and international actors, constant participation in international forums and the production and projection of awareness material (films, photographic exhibitions, booklets, etc.) among others. There are nine municipalities that have been displaced: They maintain their legal identity through the alternative Mayors and Municipal Councils. The second building is the Greek Embassy, there are further Greek embassy buildings in the city. For further information of the embassies of Nicosia I visited as part of this trip click here or on the image below.

Greek Checkpoint

Passport checks were straightforward and quick. Fewer tourists use this crossing point.

Heading towards where the buffer zone crosses the road, we pass the Ledra Palace Hotel on the left and the Home For Cooperation building on the right. In 2001 this was a derelict building (see the picture at the bottom of this page) now the Home for Cooperation has become a landmark building in Nicosia, acting as a bridge-builder between separated communities, memories and visions through its physical presence and its peacebuilding programs benefiting from the transformative power of arts and culture.

Looking back towards the RoC checkpoint. I did not have time to have a coffee and cake but next time.

What a contrast to the building in 2001.

Buffer Zone

The Ledra Palace Hotel

Ledra Palace Hotel until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. The hotel was designed by the German Jewish architect Benjaminr Günsberg and was built between 1947 and 1949 and was opened in the presence of the British Governor. It was a deluxe hotel with a swimming pool and conference rooms. During the invasion, the Turkish Military attempted to take the hotel however were unsuccessful

Following the announcement of the truce it fell within the boundaries of the UN Buffer Zone and from 1974 to 2019 served as the headquarters for Sector 2 United Nations Roulement Regiment (URR) part of UNFICYP.

The Ledra Palace Hotel has played host to many high level meetings between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders,[10] as well as hundreds of structured conflict resolution workshops between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot peace builders. It is also used as the venue for cultural events aiming at bringing the two communities closer together.

Immediately opposite the hotel, and next door to the Home For Cooperation (which is on the southern side of the buffer zone), is a disused and decaying building which sits within the buffer zone.

Walking north towards the TRNC checkpoint there a large open space between the north and south parts of Nicosia. Passing the checkpoint and walking on the northern side there are clear views of the Nicosia walls, UN watchtowers and a shared football pitch.

A UN vehicle was in the buffer zone as we passed. My longer report of the buffer zone in this area is here.