North Cyprus History

24 November, 2009
Lambousa Fish Tanks

Lambousa, City site and Roman period fish tanks

Continuing westwards from Kyrenia, pass the turning to the left signposted Alsancak, soon on the right there is a sign for the Mare Monte Hotel. At present this hotel is closed and undergoing restoration, however the drive to the hotel […]
25 October, 2009

Church of St. George of the Greeks

Church of St. George of the Greeks | Famagusta Built beside the small Byzantine church of St Symeon, the church of St. George was the Orthodox Cathedral. An elegant mix of Gothic and Byzantine styles it was intended to rival […]
25 October, 2009

Icon Museum

Icon Museum | Kyrenia At the western end of the harbour is the church of the Archangel Michael. Dating from the end of the 19th C, it was constructed on an eminence upon which one of the original towers of […]
24 November, 2009
evil eye

Legends – The Nazar – Evil Eye

The Nazar, also called the “Evil Eye” Used by many religions and cultures throughout the world, and a potent symbol against evil from pagan times, is the Nazar. It is used in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and has […]
25 October, 2009

The Great Inn (The Buyuk Han)

The Great Inn (Buyuk Han) | Nicosia This Great Inn is the most important Ottoman structure on the whole of the island. Construction began in 1572 under the guidance of Mustafa Pasha who was the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus […]
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

The Sea Gate

This was the second of the two main entrances to the city during medieval times, giving access to travellers from the harbour. The sea gate we see today was constructed by the Venetians and was built by Nicolo Prioli in […]
25 October, 2009

Kyrenia Castle

Kyrenia Castle | Kyrenia The history of Kyrenia castle, shares its origin with the mountain castles and was built by the Byzantines for the same defensive reasons, to repel the Arab raiders of the 7th C. It is possible that […]
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
Agora

The Agora and the Vouta

Very close to the Epiphanios basilica is the cathedral-like cistern that provided water for the entire city. The water was transported through an aquaduct that was 45 miles long from a spring in the Kyrenia mountain range. Of the aquaduct, […]