Mirmikofou


Mirmikofou is an abandoned settlement in Cyprus. Abandoned in 1958 the settlement is nominally located within the boundaries of Pelathousa. Settlement is located around 1.5 km southwest of Pelathousa and 5 km southeast of Polis. There is a stream of same name and a church named Agia Marina within the village.

Etymology

The precise origin of the settlement name is unknown. Simos Menardos had refused to suggest an origin due to assumed corruption of the word. However, J. C. Goodwin had claimed the origin of the name is the word mirmigofolia, meaning "ant nest". In the maps from Middle Ages, a settlement named "Marmica" was recorded in the place of Mirmikofou.

Population Data

Mirmikofou population was mixed, although the village had a clear Turkish Cypriot majority. The entire village was abandoned by the year 1960, with the Turkish population moving to Pelathousa in 1958. The Pelathousa inhabitants, together with those from Mirmikofou, later moved to the areas occupied by the Turkish military during the population transfer overseen by UNFICYP in 1975.
YearTurkish CypriotGreek CypriotTotal
1881--38
189142042
190135136
191128028
1921671178
193119625
194613215
1960000