North Cyprus History

25 October, 2009

Church of the Franciscans

On the north side of the palace lie the remains of the Franciscan church dating from early to mid 13th Century. There is little left intact, but it is an interesting example of ecclesiastical architecture. There is a very old, […]
25 October, 2009

Famagusta

Famagusta | North Cyprus Originally called Ammochostos (hidden in the sand), the town’s origin dates from about 275BC when it was settled by people from Egypt. The population increased and the port was established as the harbour of Salamis silted […]
25 October, 2009

Palace of the Provveditore

The Venetians, wishing to make their own mark on the palace changed the façade of the entrance, extending it outwards, building basket arches and incorporating massive granite pillars imported from the ruined city of Salamis. Over the central arch are […]
25 October, 2009

Ataturk Square

Ataturk Square | Nicosia Continuing along Girne Caddesi, it is a five minute walk to Ataturk Square, formerly Konak Square, dominated by the granite column that is topped with a bronze sphere. This column was a symbol of Venetian rule […]
25 October, 2009

Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (Cathedral of St. Nicholas)

Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (Cathedral of St. Nicholas) The most impressive edifice in Famagusta, if not the whole of Cyprus, is the beautiful gothic Catholic Cathedral built during the Lusignan period and dedicated to St. Nicholas. Constructed in the 14th […]
25 October, 2009

Ayios Philon

Ayios Philon | Karpaz Follow the signs marked “Oasis at Ay Philon” from Dipkarpaz and the route twists through the village eventually emerging above the north coast. Below on the shore can be seen the ruins of the 12thC church […]
25 October, 2009

The Bedestan

The Bedestan, is to be found immediately adjacent to the Selimiye Mosque and is an amalgamation of two churches. One dedicated to St. Nicholas of the English and the other dedicated to The Virgin Mary. It became the Orthodox Metropolitan […]
25 October, 2009

Yeni Erenkoy

Yeni Erenkoy | Karpaz In Turkish, the word Yeni means new, so this village is New Erenkoy. Once the centre of the thriving and lucrative tobacco industry, it has been administered since 1974 by Turkish Cypriots from Erenkoy (Kokkina) the […]
25 October, 2009

St. Barnabas – Patron Saint of Cyprus

Standing on a slight rise and overlooking the huge necropolis of Salamis is the twin- domed church dedicated to St. Barnabas, patron saint of Cyprus. This church, now used as an icon museum with the ancillary monks’ cells housing an […]
25 October, 2009

Nicosia

Nicosia | North Cyprus The capital city of Cyprus is Nicosia, Lefkosa in Turkish, Lefkosia in Greek. It is the only divided capital city in the world and is the administrative centre for both the recognised Republic of South Cyprus […]