Trachoni

Overview

Trachoni (Greek: Τραχώνι, Turkish: Demirhan) is a village located in the Nicosia District of Cyprus. The village is situated south of Kythrea on the main road connecting Nicosia and Famagusta.

History

Prior to 1974, Trachoni was an almost exclusively Greek Cypriot village. However, following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus that year, the village came under de facto control of Northern Cyprus. The territory of the community belongs by law to the Republic of Cyprus, while de facto it is part of the district of Lefkoşa in Northern Cyprus.

Population

According to the 2011 census, Trachoni had a population of 530 inhabitants.

Physical Geography

The village is located approximately three kilometers south of Kythrea/Değirmenlik. The name "Trachoni" is derived from Greek, meaning "sour and rocky place". In Turkish, the village is known as Demirhan, which translates to "iron locanda" or "iron Khan (re)".

Origins of Name

Goodwin argues that Trachoni means "sour and rocky place" in Greek Cypriot. The name was changed by Turkish Cypriots to Demirhan in 1974.

Demographics

Historically, the village has been a mixed community with both Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations. According to the Ottoman census of 1831, Christians (Greek Cypriots) constituted 55% of the total population of the village. By the 1911 census, this percentage had risen to 90%. The village was also home to a small presence of Turkish Cypriots until 1910.

References

* Goodwin, G. J. (1989). The Janissaries. Routledge.
* Cyprus Census 2011
* Ottoman Census 1831