Ayios Andreas

Ayios Andreas or Tophane is a Neighbourhood, Quarter, Mahalla or Parish of Nicosia, Cyprus. In September 1945, the Ottoman name of Tophane (which means arsenal) was changed to Ayios Andreas, but there is no parish church of that name.At the last Census (2011) it had a population of 5,767, an increase from a population of 5,185 in 2001. It covers an area in the south-western part of the municipal area of Nicosia, within and without the walls.The population in 1946 was 3,012, consisting of 2,224 Greek Cypriots, 152 Turkish Cypriots and 636 others.HistoryTophane/Ayios Andreas is one of the 24 historic Neighbourhoods of Nicosia within the walls. In 1923 it was extended to encompass an area outside the walls. The northern boundary (with Arab Ahmet Quarter) ran west from the opening in the walls by Paphos Gate, along the Bridge Road, across the Pediaios Potamos Bridge and along the Central Prison Road until it met the municipal boundary (Subsequent adjustment placed the northern boundary slightly north of this.). The southern boundary with Trypiotis Quarter, outside the walls, ran from salient of the Tripoli bastion to the circular road (Stassinou St.), thence north west to the square between the Cyprus Museum and the Nicosia General Hospital (Homer Ave./Byron St. junction), then followed the old Strovolos Road (now Gladstone St.) until it reached the river Pediaios and the municipal boundary. The present boundary is broadly similar (see recent Department of Lands and Surveys map of the Nicosia Quarters).Tophane was a prestigious neighbourhood, where Turkish, Greek and Armenian Cypriots used to coexist together with the Latins. Tophane means literally in Turkish the cannon’s house or the store for artillery ammunition, which is sited in the Neighbourhood. In September 1945, the Ottoman name of the Tophane Neighbourhood was changed into Ayios Andreas.