Chrysaliniotissa (; ;) is a Neighbourhood, Quarter or Mahalle of Nicosia, Cyprus,[6th edition of the publication "Statistical Codes of Municipalities, Communities and Quarters of Cyprus" (publ. Statistical Service of Republic of Cyprus, 2010)][Coexistence in the Disappeared Mixed Neighbourhoods of Nicosia by Ahmet An (Paper read at the conference: Nicosia: The Last Divided Capital in Europe, organized by the London Metropolitan University on 20 June 2011)] named after the parish church Panayia Chrysaliniotissa.
Location
Chrysaliniotissa is one of the "Lower Parishes" (together with Agios Kassianos (Kafesli))
["Nicosia city - the old 'Mahallades"; article in "Polygnosi" the Cypriot encyclopedia run by Politis newspaper and the Bank of Cyprus - www.polignosi.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=13154&-V=limmata - retrieved June 2025 (in Greek)] located in the east of Nicosia within the walls.
Chrysaliniotissa quarter is bordered on the north by the quarter of Agios Kassianos (Kafesli), to the east and south by Taht-el-kale, and to the west by Ayia Sophia.
Population
Population according to the Census taken in each year, where the quarter is separately reported.
[Census of Cyprus 1891, printed by Eyre & Spottiswoode, London, 1893]
[Census of Cyprus 1901, publ. Government printing office, Nicosia, Cyprus, 1901]
[Report and General Abstracts of the Census of Cyprus 1911, publ. Waterlow and Sons Ltd, London, 1912]
[Report and General Abstracts of the Census of Cyprus 1921, publ. Waterlow and Sons Ltd, London, 1922.]
[Report of the Census of Cyprus 1931, publ. Government printing office, Nicosia, Cyprus, 1932]
[Census of Cyprus, published by Government Printing Office, Nicosia, 1949]
["Census of Population 1982". Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. 1 October 1982. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.]
["Census of population 1992". Population Census 1992. Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. 1 October 1992. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018]
["Census of population 2001". Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus. 1 October 2001. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018. p. 45.]
[Census of Cyprus 2021, Table: Population Enumerated by District, Municipality,Community, Quarter, Sex and Age. Statistics website of Cyprus government: cystatdb.cystat.gov.cy. See: cystatdb.cystat.gov.cy/pxweb/en/8.CYSTAT-DB/8.CYSTAT-DB__Population__Census%20of%20Population%20and%20Housing%202021__Population__Population%20-%20Place%20of%20Residence/1891114E.px/ Retrieved May 2025]
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| 451 |
| 517 |
| 547 |
| 624 |
| 707 |
| 901 |
| 269 |
| 111 |
| 114 |
| 124 |
| 113 |
History
Chrysaliniotissa is one of the 24 historic quarters within the walls of Nicosia.
[ During the Ottoman period it was counted as one of the christian quarters of Nicosia.]["A Description of the Historic Monuments of Cyprus" by George Jeffery, Architect. Publ. Government Printing Office, Nicosia, 1918; pp. 32 and 95, section on "Twenty Five Quarters of the City"]["Tragedy 1821 Continuation" by Theocharides and Andreev, in Greek, pub. Nicosia 1996. Quoting census of 1831] The 1831 census reported the population of the quarter (Alatyodise) was 100% christian.[Osmanlı idaresinde Kıbrıs: Nüfusu- arazi dağılımı ve Türk vakıfları(Cyprus under Ottoman rule: Population - land distribution and Turkish foundations), ed. Haci Osman Yildirim, and Vahdettin Atik, published. by Rep.Turkey Ottoman Archives Department, Ankara, Publication No. 43. Date 2000. ISBN 975-19-2592-4]
Until 1567 the River Pedieos flowed through the centre of Nicosia along the present location of Hermes Street, on the southernmost border of Chrysaliniotissa quarter. In that year the Venetians diverted the river to run outside the city, when they started constructing the walls that year.["Nicosia: Capital of Cyprus Then and Now", by Kevork K. Keshishian; publ. Mouflon Bookshop, Nicosia, 1989 (Greek edition), ISBN 9963-571-23-9; pp. 16-17] Chrysaliniotissa is sited on what was once the north branch of the Pediaios which split after it crossed south and east of Ayia Sophia[Byzantine Nicosia www.academia.edu/2248379/Byzantine_Nicosia retrieved June 2025; p. 97]
Landmarks
Panayia Chrysaliniotissa
The church, and consequently the quarter, derive their name from the Greek for golden flax - chryso linari (χρυσό λινάρι). This originates in a legend that an icon of the Panayia or Virgin Mary was found in a field of flax nearby. The church was constructed at various periods and appears to replace a medieval building. There is a monastic courtyard on the south side which has a Venetian style entrance door dated to the 16th century. There are inner arcades with pointed arches the columns of which are imbedded with ancient fragments.[
]
Of the present day churches of Nicosia, Panayia Chrysaliniotissa has the distinction of preserving parts of the building apparently dating from the middle of the period of Byzantine Empire (late Roman) rule.[
]
Axiothea mansion
The 18th century Axiothea mansion derived its name from the nearby road. It is a two-storey mansion, whose entrance is on the east side, opening out into a courtyard. A row of arches separates the courtyard from adjoining the rooms. It is used by the University of Cyprus as a centre for cultural activities. There are three big halls and four smaller rooms rooms on the ground floor, plus more halls and other smaller rooms on the upper floor.[Nicosia.org website, article on Axiothea www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/sights/archontiko-axiothea/ - retrieved June 2025]
[[File:Ermou Street under construction Nicosia 205 Cyprus.jpg|thumb|right|200px|
Hermes street being redeveoped in 2013. Chrysaliniotissa quarter on right side of street. Looking west with the minarets of Selimiye (Ayia Sophia) in the background.]]
Hermes Street
To the south is Hermes Street and the southern boundary of the quarter runs along the centre of the street. Hermes Street was formerly one of the main shopping streets of Nicosia and this part of it has recently been redeveloped.
