Ayia Sophia quarter, Nicosia
Ayia Sophia | |
|---|---|
| Agia Sophia, Ayasofya, Ἁγία Σοφία, Selimiye | |
Ayia Sophia quarter, looking north. Selimiye (Ayia Sophia) mosque in centre. Minaret of Yeni Jami (grey top) behind. Haydar Pasha mosque on right. Bedestan in foreground | |
| Coordinates: 35°10′39″N 33°21′58″E / 35.17750°N 33.36611°E | |
| Country | Cyprus |
| District | Nicosia District |
| Municipality | Nicosia |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 878 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Ayia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya; Ottoman Turkish: آیا صوفیا; Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, romanized: Ayía Sophía; is a Neighbourhood, Quarter or Mahalle of Nicosia, Cyprus and the former name of the mosque situated therein. On 13 August, 1954 the name of the mosque was changed to Selimiye, after the conqueror of Cyprus, Sultan Selim II, a decision taken by the mufti, Mehmet Dana Efendi.. The name of the quarter and the surrounding street names were not changed by the secular authorities, at least initially. Ayia Sophia (various spellings) is still used by the Department of Lands and Surveys, and by the Census.