User:GGT/Asmaaltı Square

Asmaaltı Square (Asmaaltı Meydanı) is a square in Nicosia that has historically served as a centre of trade and accommodation in the capital. Whilst the square was historically home to three caravansarais, two of these, Büyük Han and Kumarcılar Hanı now stand. The Tomb of Kutup Baba, a historical shrine, is also situated in the corner of the square.

The name of the square literally means "the Square under the Grapevine" in Turkish. It is derived from a century-old grapevine that stood in the square until the 2010s.

The square took its shape as a centre of trade during the Ottoman era, with the construction of caravansarais in the area. Kumarcılar Hanı stands to the north, Büyük Han stands to the south and Tahsin'in Hanı, a third caravansarai that does not survive to this day, stood to the northeast. The caravansarais were used for the accommodation of villagers, who came to Nicosia for a day to do their shopping, as well as visitors from Turkey. The area was known for its coffeehouses, restaurants (aşhane), taverns (meyhane) in the early 20th century, and thus played a central role in the communal life of Turkish Cypriots as a centre of entertainment. Two coffeehouses were located on the square. In the entrance to Kumarcılar Hanı stood Asmalı Kahve ("coffeehouse with the vineyard"), one of the most famous coffeehouses of Nicosia. It was the site of meddah shows in the evenings. The square was also where the musicians of the community spent their time; those who looked to hire them would come to Asmaaltı. To the east of the square stood a theatre where the musicians practised their art. The building had a stage in its ground floor used for rehearsals and shows, and a hotel in the upper floor, later converted to a brothel.

Elmaslı Hamam, a Turkish bath, was also located on the square.

A water fountain, known as the Asmaaltı Fountain (Asmaaltı Çeşmesi) stood in the square next to Bereket Fırını in the first half of the 20th century.

A pedestrianisation scheme for Asmaaltı Square and the Arasta area, which had both declined in popularity, was devised by the Nicosia Turkish Municipality and implemented in 2013. The official opening took place on 29 November 2013. The project initially drew reactions from the local shopkeepers. However, in the subsequent years following the pedestrianisation and the subsequent opening of cafes, the square has been revitalised.