ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Xerovounos: A Village Divided by Politics and Geography

Xerovounos is a commune located in the Nicosia Province of Cyprus, situated on the northern slopes of the Troodos mountains. The village has been at the center of controversy since the Turkish invasion of 1974, when it was occupied by the unrecognised pseudostate of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Historically, Xerovounos was a thriving village with a significant Muslim population, known as turco-cypriots. In the early 20th century, many residents began to move from the mountainous area to coastal regions, where they eventually settled in Limnitis/Yeşilırmak. This migration led to an increase in population, which peaked at around 535 inhabitants in 1946. However, following a reclassification of the village's boundaries in 1960, the population declined significantly.

Despite this decline, Xerovounos continued to serve as a reception center for Turkish Cypriot refugees fleeing from nearby villages during the 1960s. By 1971, it was estimated that there were over 135 displaced people living in the village. However, with the outbreak of the Cyprus War in 1974, the situation changed dramatically.

The village was renamed Yukarı Yeşilırmak and became part of Limnitis/Yeşilırmak as a neighborhood. As a result, it is no longer possible to determine its exact population. Today, Xerovounos remains under de facto control of Northern Cyprus, although the territory belongs to the Republic of Cyprus by law.

The village's name has also undergone changes over time. Initially known as Kurutepe, which translates to "dry chicken" in Turkish, it was later renamed Yukarı Yeşilırmak, meaning "Yeşilırmak superior". This renaming reflects the complex and often contentious nature of Cyprus' political landscape.

In recent years, Xerovounos has become a symbol of the island's divided history and politics. The village's story serves as a reminder of the human impact of conflict and the ongoing struggle for self-determination in Cyprus.