North Cyprus History

25 October, 2009

Aphendrika

Aphendrika | Karpaz Clearly signposted, and about four miles from Ayios Philon along the coast road eastwards, is the group of three churches collectively called Aphendrika. This was the site of a major city in the 2nd C BC, rock cut […]
26 October, 2009
dervish

Dervish Pasha Mansion

The Dervish Pasha Konak is so named after a former owner who published the first Turkish newspaper in Cyprus, titled Zaman or “Time”. The house is situated in the Arabahmet district, where there is continuing restoration work being carried out […]
25 October, 2009

Dipkarpaz

Dipkarpaz | North Cyprus This village is the centre of the Karpaz peninsula, it is here that a mixed community lives side by side just as they have done for hundreds of years. When the island divided in 1974 the […]
26 October, 2009
St Hilarion Castle

St. Hilarion Castle

Clearly signposted from Kyrenia, this is a castle built on three distinct levels, each one designed to be self-sufficient and self-contained. Although it was not exempt from the ravages of war, and was besieged during the 13th C when an […]
25 October, 2009

Folk Art Museum

Folk Art Museum | Kyrenia The main entrance to the Folk Art Museum is from the harbour. Formerly a granary or carob store it was owned by Lady Loch, a well known Cyprus benefactor, and donated to the Antiquities department […]
25 October, 2009

Zafer Burnu

Zafer Burnu | Karpaz Continue along the track that goes through the monastery complex and the far end of the island is only a few minutes drive away. The breeze that never fails to cool, even on the hottest day, […]
30 November, 2009
Kyrenia Harbour

Old Kyrenia and the Venetian Harbour

Kyrenia, with its picturesque harbour and adjacent castle is called the “Jewel of Cyprus”. It is, quite simply, exquisite! The town was probably founded circa tenth century BC and was one of the original city kingdoms. Its position on the […]
22 November, 2009
Kantara Castle

The Mountain Castles

North Cyprus is blessed with three castles built high upon the ridge of the Kyrenia mountains, each has something different to offer, and two of them involve steep climbs. St. Hilarion, high above Kyrenia, and Buffavento, some six miles east […]
3 December, 2009
Mamas Church

Church of St. Mamas

Unless approaching Guzelyurt from the Nicosia road, it is impossible to miss this church as it is built at a central point where roads converge. Constructed during the 18th C AD, on the site of an early Byzantine church, this […]
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 […]