Nikitas is a village in the Morphou/Güzelyurt area, located four kilometers southwest of the town of Morphou/Güzelyurt on the road to Xeros. The name derives from the Greek word Nikitari, meaning “victor.” The village was probably named after an early bishop of Chytri, Ayios Nikitis, who was proclaimed a Saint in the third or fourth century. In 1976, Turkish Cypriots changed the name to Güneşköy, meaning “village of sun.” In 1981, it became part of the Morphou/Güzelyurt municipality and is now listed as a neighborhood of Morphou/Güzelyurt.
Although the Ottoman census of 1831 recorded some Muslims living in the village, throughout the entire British period the village was solely inhabited by Greek Cypriots. During this period the population of the village increased significantly, from 151 in 1891 to 740 in 1960.
Displacement:
In August 1974, all the Greek Cypriots of the village fled from the advancing Turkish army. Currently, like the rest of the displaced Greek Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots of Nikitas are scattered throughout the island’s south, with concentrations in towns. The number of Nikitas Greek Cypriots who were displaced in 1974 was around 440 (428 in 1973).
Current Inhabitants:
Currently the village is mainly inhabited by displaced Turkish Cypriots from various Paphos villages, including Makounta/Yakacık(319), Chrysochou/Altıncık(299), Meladeia/Malatya(324) and Karamoullides/Kervanyolu(309). There are also families from several other Paphos and Limassol villages. In 1976-77 some families from Turkey settled in the village; they are mainly from the Adıyaman province of Anatolia. During the orange-picking seasons, the village also hosts many seasonal agricaltural workers from Turkey. They are usually lodged in tents or prefabricated accommodations specifically erected for them, usually located in the orange orchards where they work.
Websites: