walk on to go to church, to school, to the clubs, to visit family, relatives and friends etc. One could see all the time Armenian-Cypriots walking around the narrow streets amidst a profusion of Oriental smells and a chatter in Armenian. The street, full of beautiful ashlar buildings, started from the Latin church of the Holy Cross and ended at the Arab Ahmed Pasha mosque, having Mahmoud Pasha street as its extension (where the American Academy Nicosia was between 1922-1955 and the Armenian Evangelical church since 1946). As it was a one-way street, traffic was only allowed from the north to the south. During the Cypriot intercommunal violence, a large part of the Armenian Quarter of Nicosia was gradually taken over by Turkish Cypriots between 21 December 1963 and 19 January 1964. Most Armenian-Cypriots left their homes during this time, while other families stayed for a longer period in tents at the grounds of the Melkonian Educational Institute. The Armenian quarter was also home to many Turkish Cypriots, as well as some Greek-Cypriots, Maronite-Cypriots, Roman Catholic Cypriots and British nationals. Notable personalities Khoren Paroyian (1914–1983), the Catholicos of Cilicia between 1963–1983. Levon Chilingirian (1948- ), a violinist, conductor and music professor at the Royal College of Music who thrives in London, United Kingdom. Marios Garoyian (1961- ), the current Chairman of the DIKO party and the ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives of Cyprus (2008–2011). Nouritza Matossian (1948- ), a writer, actress, broadcaster and human rights activist who thrives in London, United Kingdom. Benon Sevan (1937- ), once the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (1992–2005) and the Head of the Oil-for-Food Programme (1996–2005). He lives in Nicosia. Nora Nadjarian (1966- ), poet. Ara Bedrossian (1967- ), former football player. Hovig Demirjian (1989- ), singer. Timeline 578 AD: The first documented presence of Armenians in Cyprus. 610–641: Some Armenians arrive during the reign of Armenian-descended Byzantine Emperor Heraclius for political reasons. 717–728: Some Armenians arrive during the pontificate of Catholicos Hovhannes Odznetsi for commercial reasons. 965: More Armenians arrive after the liberation of Cyprus from the Arab raids by patrician Niketas Chalkoutzes for military reasons. 973: Catholicos Khatchig I establishes the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus in Nicosia. 1136–1138: Byzantine Emperor John II Comnenus moves the entire population of the Armenian city of Tell Hamdun to Cyprus. 1185: Byzantine Duke Isaac Comnenus brings with him Armenian warriors after his wedding to