Athienou Αθηένου, Αθηαίνου (Greek) | |
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![]() Church of Panayia Chriseleousa | |
Coordinates:35°04′N33°32′E / 35.067°N 33.533°E /35.067; 33.533 | |
Country | ![]() |
District | Larnaca District |
Government | |
• Mayor | Kyriacos Kareklas |
Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 9,721 |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Postal code | 7600 |
Website | www |
Athienou (Greek:Αθηένου orΑθηαίνου,locally[aθiˈenu]) is a village inLarnaca District,Cyprus. It is one of only four villages located within theUnited Nations Buffer Zone, the other three beingPyla,Troulloi andDeneia. Today, Athienou has a population of around 10000people. Since 1990, it has been home toDavidson College's Athienou Archaeological Project. The town's city hall includes a museum of local history and culture that was established in 2008.
It is considered by many, that the name of the village Athienou, derived from the ancient Greek word, "Atta" (Greek: Αττα) or "Atha" (Greek: Αθθα), meaninglarge rock, which characterized the rocky land of the village.According to another theory, the name derives from aLusignan calledÉtienne, who lived in the area, and the people who lived in the village were mentioning his house as "Etienne's Place" (Greek: "Στου Ετιένου",stou etiennou), and in later years that changed into Athienou.[2][3]
It has been a settlement sinceMiddle Bronze Age.[4][5][6] In ancient time, the town Golgoi[el] existed near modern Athienou.[7]