ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base
Holy Peace of Kyrenia
Agia Irini
================Agia Irini (Greek: Αγία Ειρήνη, Turkish: Akdeniz) is a village located on Morphou Bay, approximately 10 km north of Morphou, in the Kyrenia District of Northern Cyprus.
Basic Data
The village has a population of 522 inhabitants, according to the Statistical Service of Northern Cyprus in 2011. De facto, it belongs to the district of Girne (Kyrenia) in Northern Cyprus, while de jure it belongs to the Republic of Cyprus.
Physical Geography
Agia Irini is situated less than two kilometers from the bay of Morfou and ten kilometers west of Myrtou/Çamlıbel. The village is located within Kyrenia District, which is part of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Origins of Name
The name "Agia Irini" translates to "Santa Irene" in Greek, where "Irini" means "peace". However, it is also a female name. In 1958, Turkish Cypriots began using an alternative name for the village, Akdeniz, meaning "Mediterranean Sea".
Monuments and Places of Interest
### Archaeological Sites
The sanctuary of Agia Irini is located near the village. The site was excavated by the Swedish archaeological mission in 1929. The sanctuary consists of a fearnos (space of land reserved for worship).
History
After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the village came under the control of Northern Cyprus.
References
Note: This article has been compiled from various sources, including:
* Source 3 (ES): Agia Irini (Cyprus)
* Source 4 (IT): Agia Eirini (Girne)
* Source 5 (EN): Agia Eirini, Kyrenia
* Source 7 (BG): Agija Eirhini (Kirenia County)