Anexartisias Street
{{Short description|Shopping street in Limassol}}
{{Infobox street
| name = Anexartisias Street
| image = Anexartisias Street 03.jpg
| caption = Anexartisias Street
| coordinates = {{coord|34.6771784|N|33.0450967|E}}
| native_name = {{lang|el|Ανεξαρτησίας}}
| former_names = Macedonias
{{lang|el|Μακεδονίας}}
| part_of = Limassol Municipality
| length = {{convert|730|m|miles}}
| country = Cyprus
| postal_code = 3040
| direction_a = Gladstonos Street
| direction_b = 28th October Avenue
| completion_date = 1917
| known_for = Shopping & Leisure
}}
Anexartisias Street ({{Langx|el|Οδός Ανεξαρτησίας|translit=Odós Anexartisías|translit-std=ISO}}, {{Literal translation|Independence street}}) is located in the Old Town of Limassol and is considered the main shopping street of the city, surpassing Makariou Avenue.{{Cite web |title=Anexartisias: The main shopping street of the city |url=https://www.limassolchamber.eu/En/31/articles/349/2017/03/10/Anexartisias--The-main-shopping-street-of-the-city |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=www.limassolchamber.eu |language=en}} It hosts many retail stores as well as Gregori Afxentiou Square, where events, including the Limassol Carnival, are held.{{cite web | url=https://www.cyprusalive.com/anexartisias-street | title=Anexartisias Street - Events and shopping street }}
History
File:Limassol District Administration 01.jpg Administration building on Gregori Afxentiou Sq]]
The street first showed signs of growth in 1923. The Independence of The Republic of Cyprus in 1960 was a significant event in the history of Cyprus and inspired the street to be named after it: Anexartisias ({{Langx|el|Ανεξαρτησίας|translit=Anexartisías|translit-std=ISO}}, {{Literal translation|Independence}}).{{Cite web |last=allaboutlimassol.com |title=What was Anexartisias Street in Limassol called, before the independence of Cyprus? |url=https://allaboutlimassol.com/en/what-was-aneksartisias-street-in-limassol-called-before-the-indepence-of-cyprus |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=allaboutlimassol.com |language=en}}
In its early years of growth, the Limassol Hospital (now the District Administration Building) was built when the street wasn't yet named. Around 1930–1940, the street was referred to as “Macedonias Street”.
Features
The main attractions are the multitude of shops and cafes along the street, which have made it well known to residents and visitors alike. Besides retail stores, the street also hosts the District Office, which participates in decorating the street and surrounding areas for various occasions, such as Christmas.
Controversies & Incidents
= Incidents =
== Collapsed Roof, February 2022 ==
On Sunday, February 20, 2022, the roof of a building collapsed during renovations due to poor concrete stability testing. Pedestrians and vehicles were in the vicinity, but fortunately, there were no injuries or damages to vehicles. The building was owned by a local church administration.{{Cite web |title=Roof of building collapses on Limassol’s Anexartisias (Updated) |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/02/21/roof-of-building-collapses-on-limassols-anexartisias/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=cyprus-mail.com |language=en-GB}}
= Controversies =
File:Anexartisias Street 08.jpg store on the street]]
== H&M Opening ==
In February 2021, the Swedish brand H&M announced that they were opening a new branch on the street. It was scheduled to open in the summer of that year.{{Cite web |title=H&M opening first Limassol store |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/02/25/hm-opening-first-limassol-store/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=cyprus-mail.com |language=en-GB}} The opening was later postponed to November 18, 2021,{{Cite web |title=First H&M Store Opens in Limassol |url=https://dom.com.cy/en/amp/digest/the-first-h-store-will-appear-in-limassol/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=dom.com.cy}} and it finally opened on March 3, 2022.{{Cite web |title=H&M Store Opening in Limassol Postponed to March 2022 |url=https://dom.com.cy/en/amp/digest/opening-of-the-h-store/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=dom.com.cy}} The 8-month delay upset many shoppers, and once it opened, there was criticism regarding the “unfinished” state of the building despite the prolonged delay.
Transportation
{{rint|bus|1}} EMEL {{RouteBox|4||#68349A|white}}{{RouteBox|5||#6B4D16|white}}{{RouteBox|7||#7C9248|white}}{{RouteBox|32||#377E22|white}} ANEXARTISIAS - DISTRICT OFFICE{{Cite web |title=Cyprus By Bus |url=https://m.cyprusbybus.com/stop/774 |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=m.cyprusbybus.com}}
The street is a two-lane road, mainly connected by Gladstonos Street (a dual carriageway) and 28th October Avenue. It also connects to many smaller neighborhoods and roads.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Anexartisias street|Anexartisias Street}}