Ancient olive tree marks Nicosia roundabout

AN ANCIENT olive tree has become the focal point of the roundabout opposite the Presidential Palace, marking the centre of town, as well as raising awareness of how precious water is.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) have undertaken the new design of the roundabout and once it is completed in about three weeks time it will be presented to the Municipality of Nicosia.

One of the main reasons the olive tree was chosen as a symbol, was not only because it is a tree that represents Cyprus and peace, but because it needs very little water. “This is one of the reasons we chose it,” said KEVE official Socrates Iracleous,

“We wanted to do something special there as it is a central point, it’s where the Presidential Palace is, the ministry of Foreign Affairs.” It will also be lit up at night time.

Iracleous was unable to say how old the olive tree was only that it was “ancient”.