Northern Cyprus – what to see?
Nicosia – the last divided capital of Europe
This is the only city on earth that is simultaneously the capital of two states – Northern and Southern Cyprus. It was founded in the 11th -7th centuries BC. During its thousand-year history, it experienced periods of prosperity and decline. The city was under the protectorate of once prosperous empires – Byzantine, Ottoman, British. Today, Nicosia is divided into two parts – Greek and Turkish. The border between them is controlled by the military.
The most interesting sights of the city:
- The Venetian Column in Ataturk Square, decorated with the coats of arms of noble families that once lived in Cyprus;
- the Roman Catholic Hagia Sophia, built in the Gothic style and converted into the Selimiye Mosque during the Ottoman rule;
- Bayuk Khan Inn is one of the most beautiful places in the city, functioning as an art center;
- the Turkish baths of Bayuk Hamam, built in 1571 and still operating for their intended purpose;
- the Church of St. Nicholas, which contains medieval tombstones brought from all over the island.
Famagusta – the most mysterious city of Cyprus
Famagusta was once the most visited resort in the Mediterranean. Tourists from all over the world came here. Celebrities often stayed in Famagusta, but after 1974 everything changed. Some areas are closed to visitors, part of the population left the city.
However, Famagusta is still a large city and there is much to see:
- Venetian fortifications – ancient walls and fortresses towering over the historical part of the city (in some places the height of the fortress walls reaches 17 meters);
- the medieval castle of Castello, built by the Lusignans and hidden behind the fortress wall;
- the Carmelite Church, built by the Carmelite Knights but unfortunately already half destroyed;
- the Dzhambulat bastion, which used to house the Venetian arsenal and now houses a museum of antiquities;
- Othello’s Castle is one of the towers of the citadel, where, according to legend, the tragedy described by Shakespeare took place (the observation deck of the castle offers an excellent panoramic view of the port and the sea gate to the city);
- St. Nicholas Cathedral, built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries in the likeness of the legendary Notre -Dame de Reims ;
- the ruins of the Church of St. George of the Latins, the walls of which are decorated with medieval frescoes with inscriptions in Syriac;
- the palace of the Venetian governor Giovanni Reviere – in the square located next to it you can see antique statues, ancient cannons and a Roman marble sarcophagus.
Among the sights of Famagusta, the ghost quarter of Varosha and the ruins of the city of Salamis are especially worth mentioning.
The Ghost Town of Varosha
Until the 1970s, Varosha was a fashionable quarter of Famagusta. New high-rise buildings stood out, world-famous stars stayed in hotels, and fashionable clubs and bars had a lively nightlife. After the well-known events, the quarter was evacuated within a few hours and surrounded by barbed wire. The buildings and beaches were deserted, and local residents left their homes forever.
Without the presence of people, Varosha gradually fell into disrepair. A few years ago, a decision was made to open the quarter to visitors. It is still under military protection, but now you can safely wander the abandoned streets, rent a bike, and even drink coffee in a cafe on the beach. And all this is surrounded by abandoned houses where people once enjoyed a carefree resort life.
Salamis
Salamis is located 6 kilometers from Famagusta, and it is the oldest settlement in Cyprus. More precisely, what has survived from it to this day. Salamis is more than two thousand years old. Its founder is considered to be the archer Teucer, a hero of the Trojan War and the son of Telamon. During its history, the city has survived several earthquakes, brutal attacks and barbarian plunder. In 647, it was almost destroyed. Residents left their homes and moved to Famagusta.
Today, archaeologists have explored more than 5 square kilometers of the ancient city of Salamis, and this is only a small part of the ancient structures that once existed here. If you find yourself in Cyprus, be sure to visit the ancient monument. Tourists can see the preserved artifacts:
- columns of the central square,
- Roman gymnasium – ancient baths, which once had running water, sewerage and heating, but today only ruins of walls with mosaics and frescoes depicting Hercules, Apollo, the goddess Leda, Zeus and nymphs remain;
- a well-preserved amphitheater that could accommodate up to 15 thousand spectators;
- Basilica of Salamis;
- tombs of Salamis.
Another interesting site located near the city is an ancient necropolis dating back to the 8th -7th centuries BC.
Other interesting sights
Ancient city of Soli : the ancient settlement dates back to the 6th century BC and is considered one of the ten ancient kingdoms of Cyprus. The city was destroyed during the Arab raids of the 7th century. Part of the buildings are still hidden underground and have not been studied.
The Buyuk Han caravanserai is a legacy of the Ottoman conquerors, built in the 16th century.
The Monastery of the Apostle Barnabas , which contains the tomb of the saint, several valuable icons and one of the finest collections of Bronze Age antiquities.
Kantara Castle – here Isaac Doukas-Komenos hid the treasury and his daughter from Richard the Lionheart.
This is far from a complete list of attractions. There really is something to see in Northern Cyprus!
