The funeral of Denktaş in Cumhuriyet Park, in front of the TMT monument

Cumhuriyet Park (Turkish: Cumhuriyet Parkı, "Park of the Republic") is a park in the Gönyeli quarter of North Nicosia. It is the resting place of Rauf Denktaş, the founder of Northern Cyprus, and is an important tourist attraction.[1]

The park covers an area of 100 dunams (approximately 134,000 m2)[2] and is the biggest park and urban green space in Northern Cyprus. In 2007, it was reported by Mustafa Akıncı to be in a poor condition, upon which 400 trees were planted in the park and water supply was restructured.[3] In 2009, eucalyptus trees were planted[4] and 250 more trees were planted in 2011.[5]

The park is home to a monument dedicated to the Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT).[6] On 17 January 2012, Rauf Denktaş was buried in the park. His grave lies 150 meters south of the TMT monument.[7] The decision was taken by the cabinet as the park was perceived as a symbol of Northern Cyprus and the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people.[8] It was announced that a mausoleum would be constructed for Denktaş.[9]

The competition for the design of a mausoleum and a museum was announced on 1 September 2012, with a grand prize of 150,000 Turkish liras.[10] The competition had 104 participants, 20% of whom were Turkish Cypriots, and the winners were from Istanbul Bilgi University, Yıldız Technical University and Bahçeşehir University.[11] However, by 2014, no plans to begin the construction were on the agenda due to budgetary problems and the grave of Denktaş was reportedly in a poor condition.[12]

The park lies opposite the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Cumhuriyet Parkı'nda yaza hazırlık çalışmaları" (in Turkish). Kıbrıs Postası. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "Gökmen'den 'Cumhuriyet' sözü" (in Turkish). Star Kıbrıs. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Meclis çevreyi konuştu" (in Turkish). Star Kıbrıs. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "30 bin okaliptüs filizlenecek" (in Turkish). Star Kıbrıs. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Cumhuriyet Parkı'na 250 yeni fidan" (in Turkish). Star Kıbrıs. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "1 Ağustos Toplumsal Direniş Bayramı, TMT Anıtı'nda kutlandı" (in Turkish). Kıbrıs Postası. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Denktaş, Lefkoşa Cumhuriyet Parkı'na defnedilecek" (in Turkish). Zaman. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Cumhuriyet Parkı'na gömülecek" (in Turkish). Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Denktaş'ın naaşının gömüleceği Cumhuriyet Parkı'na anıt mezar yapılacak" (in Turkish). Kıbrıs Postası. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  10. ↑ "Rauf Denktaş için Anıt Mezar ve Müze Yarışması İlan Edildi" (in Turkish). Arkitera. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  11. ↑ "Rauf Raif Denktaş'ın Anıt Mezar Projesi Yarışması Sonuçlandı" (in Turkish). Arkitera. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "Denktaş'ın Mezarı için 'Bütçe Yok'" (in Turkish). Arkitera. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

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