Nikitas

================

Nikitas (; ) is a village located in the Güzelyurt District of North Cyprus, within the sector controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Geography and Location

The village is situated 4 km southwest of Morphou (Güzelyurt) on the road to Xeros. It is part of the area known as Morphou/Güzelyurt.

History

Until 1974, Nikitas was inhabited by Greek Cypriots. The Ottoman census of 1831 recorded some Muslims living in the village, but throughout the British period, the village was exclusively inhabited by Greek Cypriots. After the Turkish invasion of 1974, the village came under the control of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Population

According to the 1960 census, there were 740 inhabitants of Nikitas. In 2011, the population had decreased to 505 inhabitants.

Origins of Name

The name "Nikitas" comes from the Greek word "Nikitari", meaning "winner". The village likely took its name from an ancient bishop of Chytri, Ayios Nikitis, who was proclaimed a saint in the third or fourth century. In 1976, the Turkish Cypriots changed their name to Güneşköy, meaning "village of the sun".

References

* Ottoman census of 1831
* British period records
* 1960 census
* 2011 population data