| Gönyeli | |
| Pushpin Map: | Cyprus |
| Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Cyprus |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Cyprus |
| Subdivision Type1: | • District |
| Subdivision Name1: | Nicosia District |
| Subdivision Type2: | Country |
| Subdivision Name2: | Northern Cyprus |
| Subdivision Type3: | • District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Lefkoşa District |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Ahmet Yalçın Benli |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Total: | 11,671 |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Municipality |
| Population Blank1: | 17,277 |
| Timezone: | EET |
| Utc Offset: | +2 |
| Timezone Dst: | EEST |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +3 |
| Coordinates: | 35.2164°N 33.3047°W |
Gönyeli (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Κιόνελι|Kioneli; Turkish: Gönyeli) is a town in Cyprus, near the capital city Nicosia. It is de facto under the control of Northern Cyprus. Over the years the town has merged with North Nicosia, making it connurbated with the city.[1] Its population is 11,671.
Before the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1571, the area consisted of empty fields. Upon the conquest, two families from Anatolia that of Kurt Ali from Anamur and Mehmet Efendi from Aksaray, settled here and founded Gönyeli.[1] Over time, as the families grew in population, the village grew as a Turkish-speaking farming community. Gönyeli was one of the first towns to be captured following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.[2]
The football club Gönyeli Spor Kulübü is based in Gönyeli. Gönyeli's stadium, Ali Naci Karacan Stadı (named for journalist Ali Naci Karacan), houses football matches as well as concerts and the annual 23 April Children's Day events.
Every July, the Gönyeli International Folk Dance Festival takes place in the town center. The event lasts one week, with groups of dancers from countries such as Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey performing traditional folk dance.
Gönyeli is a popular town for students looking to rent accommodation as it is about 15 minutes driving distance from the Nicosia-based Near East University.
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Northern Cyprus.
Gönyeli is twinned with:
Kızılcahamam, Ankara, Turkey (since 2009)[3] Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey[4]