Ledra Street Checkpoint

Between 1974 and 2003, crossing of the Buffer Zone between northern and southern parts of the island was extremely limited. For 30 years, the Turkish- and Greek-speaking populations of Cyprus were essentially sealed apart on their respective sides. Immediately preceding the 2003 referendum vote (also known as the Annan Plan, after UN Secretary General Kofi Annan), the Turkish Cypriot authorities eased the travel restrictions, allowing Cypriots to see the 'other side' of the island for the first time since the war. Since the original checkpoint was opened at the former Ledra Palace Hotel (now the UNFICYP headquarters and the site of many bi-communal discussions), six other Buffer Zone crossings have opened at various points across the island.

The only crossing within the Walled City is located on Ledra Street, the pedestrianized main commercial street, and was opened in 2008. Prior to the opening of this checkpoint (as you can see below), the street dead ended into the Buffer Zone, which for many years was used as a lookout platform for residents and visitors in south Nicosia to see into and across the division. 

Platform where Ledra Street dead ended into the Green Line along its southern boundary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chypre-LigneVerte1.JPG

The Ledra Street checkpoint today