The most famous roads and avenues in Cyprus:

What is the origin of their name?

All streets around the world, owe their name to either a historical/political figure, either in a battle or even an event. The same "rules" are valid here in our island. If you live or visited Cyprus in the past, probably you would have passed at least once from the streets below. Some of them are classified as the most chaotic roads of the island causing traffic congestions in a daily basis, others are "milder", some are central arterial roads, but nevertheless they all serve their holy duty very well! However, if you have never bothered to study why these streets are called with their specific names , the author is ready to be enlightenment, giving you the historical figures behind each name. 

Gladstonos Street: The street owes its name to William Henry Gladstone (1809 - 1898), who was a British politician and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He is very well known for his philhellenism because he supported the integrating of Ionian islands with Greece, as well as for his dream to see Cyprus be part of "The Kingdom of Greece" too. He is a controversial personality for the reason that some people consider his philhellenism fake and product of the then United Kingdom's strategic interests. This street can be found in most towns of Cyprus, but also in major cities of Greece.

Griva Digheni Street: Georgios Grivas Dighenis (1897 - 1974) served as the General of the liberation fight of the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (greek: Ε.Ο.Κ.Α), against the British Ruler and for the union (greek: enosis) of the island of Cyprus with motherland Greece, in 1955 - 1959. Two years before he died, he founded EOKA 2,  an armed paramilitary organization, whose goal was to convince the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Makarios III, to proceed with a new plan of enosis with Greece. The fact that EOKA 2 is in a high percentage culpable for the Turkish invasion of 1974, is the reason that Grivas Dighenis is an another controversial personality in the history of Cyprus. The specific street can be found in all the towns of the island. 

Spyroy Kyprianou Street: Spyros Kyprianou (1932 - 2002) was a former cypriot politician and the 2nd president of the Republic of Cyprus (1977 - 1988). Before being elected president, he was Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs. This street is located in all towns of Cyprus.

Mishiaouli and Kavazoglou Street: Dervis Ali Kavazoglou (1924 - 1965) and Kostas Mishiaoulis (1922 - 1965) had been murdered side by side from the extreme turkish armed organization TMT. The first, was a Turkish-Cypriot journalist and the second was his Greek-Cypriot partner. Kavazoglou was member of the Central Commision of the left-wing party, AKEL. Mishiaoulis was member of PEO (Pancyprian Federation of Labour). Both men are duly honoured by AKEL. The specific road can be found in Limassol, Paphos, Polis Chrysochous and Aghia Napa.

Nicos and Despina Pattichi Street: This street owes its name to Nicos Pattichis (1916 - 2007) and his wife Despina Pattichi ( ? - 2010). Firstly, Nicos Pattichis was a lawyer, a judge, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transportation and the 11th Mayor of Limassol (1964 - 1971). Additionaly, his wife Despina Pattichi (Despina Katseli), is known for her multiannual philanthropic activity and her contribution to various charitable organizations is undeniable.This street is located in Limassol and Larnaka.

Christaki Kranou Street: The street took its name from the only child of Chrysanthis and Anna Kranou. Due to the fact that Christakis lost his life in a very young age, his parents became grand benefactors of Germasoghia region, in Limassol. More specifically, they donated two acres of land to the area where the Elementary School is being located today, plus two more acres for the very low price of 1000 Cyprus pounds. In honour of their son's lost, the Elementary School is called "Christakio", since 1970. The specific street is located in Limassol.