North Cyprus History

30 November, 2009

Salamis

The partially excavated site of the ancient city of Salamis, has fascinated archaeologists for hundreds of years and it is the most important archaeological site on the whole of Cyprus. Nestling on the shoreline of Famagusta Bay, the remains of […]
25 October, 2009

Djamboulat Bastion

This bastion is adjacent to the modern entrance to the harbour, it is named after the Commander of the Ottoman forces who succeeded in effecting a successful entry into the city by riding his horse into the whirling wheel that […]
25 October, 2009

The Mevlevi Tekke (Whirling Dervish Museum)

The Mevlevi Tekke (Whirling Dervish Museum) | Nicosia Entering the city through the Girne Kapisi (Kyrenia Gate), the Mevlevi tekke museum is fifty metres on the left. A tekke is a religious base, and this 17th C building was the […]
25 October, 2009

The Land Gate and Ravelin

The Land Gate and Ravelin | Famagusta The land gate is probably as old a building within the city as the citadel, though the current bridge and gateway entrance are relatively modern. The road now passes through one of the […]
26 October, 2009

The Royal Tombs

The Royal Tombs | Famagusta  In order to get to the Royal Tombs it is necessary to leave the main site of Salamis, take the road that is signposted to St. Barnabas, and the tombs will be seen on the […]
22 November, 2009
Sourp Monastery

Sourp Magar Monastery

Access to this ruined monastery is from the same mountain road that leads from The Five Finger Mountain to Alevkaya. After driving for about 4 miles (6.5km) slow down and keep looking down into the valley below. The monastery buildings […]
26 October, 2009
Kantara Castle

Kantara Castle

There are many different routes to his castle, all of them involve easy, if slow, drives up the mountain roads to the village of Kantara and from there follow the signs. The documented history of Kantara coincides with that of […]
1 December, 2009
Evil Eye

Legends – The Evil Eye

Throughout the ages, in many cultures and religions, the evil eye figure has been considered as a powerful symbol to defy and conquer evil forces. It is believed that the evil eye amulet will break and deflect negative and bad […]
25 October, 2009

Iskele

Formerly called Trikomo, this village is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots from the Turkish quarter of Larnaca. Iskele means jetty and when the Turkish Cypriots moved north after partition, they brought the name of their district with them. The village is […]
25 October, 2009

The Selimiye Mosque (Cathedral of St. Sophia)

The Selimiye Mosque (Cathedral of St. Sophia) | Famagusta The name Sophia means “divine wisdom” and this great Gothic building erected during the Lusignan period was to be the most important church on the island. The foundation stone was laid […]