The city was halved after a communal fight in 1964 in Ledra Street, which has been the chief shopping area inside the old city, enclosed in 16th century Venetian walls. 

The breakthrough in protracted negotiations was achieved by advisers from both sides George Lacovou and Ozdil Nami. “We aspire to the elimination of crossings and the opening of all roads in this country for all its citizens,” Lacovou told dignitaries from both sides, diplomats and UN officials gathered at the narrow passage between the two sectors.

The island was divided since Turkey occupied the north in 1974, a decade after the fighting which led to the blockade of Ledra street. 

Nami called it a historic and symbolic occasion because it involves the lifting of the main obstacle at the heart of the city. “Almost half a century of division has been symbolised here,” he said.

Mayor Eleni Mavrou said while life goes on in both sides, the 70 meters separating them “remain frozen in time” as evidenced by the bullet scarred, derelict buildings standing along the passage. To prepare the crossing, the UN swept the area of mines, shored up abandoned buildings, and cleared weeds and debris.

Large pots of petunias were positioned along the centre of the passage while the walls on both sides were covered with blue and yellow cloth. Turkish army patrols, which held up the opening for several years, were shifted out of sight.

Multi-coloured balloons were released at the end of the ceremony and the two mayors, Greek Cypriot Mavrou and Turkish Cypriot Cemal Bulutoglulari, sat in a sidewalk cafe in the Greek Cypriot sector to drink coffee and eat fruit preserves, a tradition in Cyprus.