In 1974, the Cypriot city of Nicosia was divided into two parts. As a result of the Turkish invasion, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed, and a green demarcation zone appeared on the map of the island's capital, which has since been guarded by UN troops. Despite the political twists and turns, there are many guests in the city, and travel agencies of both sides are happy to answer the question of what to see in Nicosia. The capital of Cyprus was founded in the 11th century. BC. and was then called Ledra. Like other settlements in the region, Ledra and then Lefkoteon were city-states that had lost their former greatness, falling under the rule of Byzantium, and later - the Crusaders. Then Nicosia was in the hands of the Venetians, Turks and British, until it was proclaimed in 1960 the capital of the independent Republic of Cyprus.
TOP 10 attractions of Nicosia
Old city
At the end of the era of their own rule, the Venetians rebuilt huge fortress walls in Nicosia, inside which they concentrated the quarters of the old city. The reason for the construction was the more frequent claims of the Ottoman Empire, whose onslaught could hardly have been held by the previous walls. In 1567 famous Venetian military builders arrived in Nicosia and the work began.
The defensive structures in Nicosia not only met all the requirements of military engineering, but also combined the most advanced construction technologies. The walls were about 5 km long. Eleven bastions also served to protect the city from the enemy. And yet the Turks were stronger, and in 1570 Nicosia fell.
Today, all the main bastions, named after the Italian families who donated funds for the construction, have been restored and are available for inspection. Five of the eleven bastions are located in the Turkish sector, five on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, and one under the control of UN peacekeepers.
The most interesting bastions and gates:
- The Kyrenia gate was used to connect with the northern territories.
- The Museum of the National Struggle of Northern Cyprus is open in the Musalla bastion.
- The Famagusta Gate is used as the cultural center of Nicosia.
- The Freedom Monument is erected near the Podokatro bastion.
- Near the Constanza bastion in 1570, the Turks broke through the Byzantine defenses.
- Inside the Cephane bastion is the residence of the President of Northern Cyprus.
To see all the gates and bastions, tourists have to cross the Green Line dividing Nicosia into Turkish and Cypriot parts.
Kyrenia gate
The gates in the defensive walls of Nicosia served as a link with the port city of Kyrenia and other northern regions of the island. They were originally named after the Governor of Cyprus, who oversaw the construction in 1567.
The Turks, who captured the city, not only did not destroy the bastions, but also improved some parts of the defensive structures. In 1821 a doorkeeper was added to the Kyrenia gate. The last Turkish gatekeeper was 120-year-old Horoz Ali, who died on duty at the gatekeeper's in 1946. Since then, the gate has become a mere tourist attraction in Nicosia.
Saint Sophie Cathedral
The most significant architectural monument built on the island in the Gothic style has a long and very tragic history. It was originally a Christian cathedral dedicated to Hagia Sophia. The temple was built in the XIII-XIV centuries. and until the middle of the XVI century. he periodically served as the cathedral of Cyprus, alternating this honorary role with the temple of St. Nicholas in Famagusta.
In the XV century. Hagia Sophia was hit by an earthquake, but the Venetian Doges hired French architects and restored it in 1491.
Another misfortune came in the 16th century. from the Ottoman Empire. After the capture of the island by the Turks, Hagia Sophia suffered the fate of most Christian churches. It was turned into a mosque, completing two minarets on the sides and renaming it. Hagia Sophia became known as the Selemie Mosque.
Nowadays, the cathedral remains the main mosque in Northern Cyprus and an outstanding monument of the late Gothic, although somewhat modified in accordance with Islamic architectural traditions.
St john's cathedral
Having lost Hagia Sophia, Christians living in Nicosia were forced to build a new church. The honor of founding the Cathedral of St. John belongs to Archbishop Nikiforos, who in 1662 consecrated a new church, where the pulpit was located from now on. The place for the construction of the temple was not chosen by chance: the Cathedral of St. John is located where the Ottomans destroyed the monastery of the Benedictine order.
The interiors of the temple are richly decorated with stucco, wall paintings, wood carvings and leaf gilding. The iconostasis contains the works of the famous master of icon painting of the 18th century. John Cornaris.
Palace of Archbishop Makarios III
In 1960, the highest figure of the clergy in Cyprus received its own residence, now called the Palace of Archbishop Makarios III. The palace was built in the style of a Venetian palazzo with a gable roof and many arched windows. The cream-colored mansion is decorated with snow-white columns, emphasizing the greatness and importance of its owner.
After the division of the island and Nicosia into the Turkish part and the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, the residence of the highest person of the Christian clergy was transferred, and several museum exhibitions were opened in the Palace of Archbishop Makarios III. During the tour, you will see the collections of the Art Gallery and the Byzantine Museum. Among the exhibits are paintings, icons, frescoes, sculptures dating from the 8th-18th centuries. and executed by outstanding craftsmen from Cyprus and other European countries.
Ataturk Square
The father of all modern Turks is also revered in the Republic of Northern Cyprus. The central square is named after him in the Turkish part of Nicosia. In the last years of British rule in Cyprus, it was called the "mansion square" due to its colonial buildings.
The main attraction of the central square of Nicosia was brought and installed in 1550. The Venetian column used to decorate the Temple of Zeus in the ancient city of Salamis. Noble families who lived in Cyprus during the reign of the Byzantines adorned the base of the column with their family coats of arms.
Having captured the island in 1570, the Turks demolished the column. It was lost for several centuries and was restored to its original place only by the British colonialists in 1915. Unfortunately, the stone lion representing Venice was irretrievably lost. Instead of the lion of St. Mark, the column is now crowned with a copper globe.
At Ataturk Square in Nicosia, you can see the fountain of the Ottoman era, the courthouse, the post office and the police.
Archaeological Museum of Cyprus
The largest exposition on the island invites its visitors to get acquainted with archaeological rarities that will help to present the entire history of the existence and development of Cyprus.
The museum was founded in 1882 at the request of the religious leaders of Cyprus. They turned to the colonial authorities with a proposal to protect the island from illegal excavations and the export of cultural property abroad. The US Ambassador to Cyprus became especially famous for this, who managed to transport to his historical homeland more than 35 thousand priceless finds, some of which now adorn American museums.
The petition was approved, and already in 1899 the museum received the first catalog, and all the finds were carefully collected in its initially few rooms. In 1908, construction began on a new building, and today 14 of its halls offer visitors an interesting exposition of archaeological relics. The most valuable finds were donated to the museum by an expedition of Swedish scientists that carried out archaeological excavations in the first third of the twentieth century.
Boyuk Khan
The Ottoman conquerors left several notable architectural monuments in Cyprus, which today occupy a worthy place in the ranking of the sights of Nicosia. The Boyuk Khan Inn is the largest building of its kind on the island. It was built in 1572, a couple of years after the conquest of Cyprus.
Boyuk Khan served for his intended purpose for about 300 years. Travelers, itinerant merchants, herd drivers and other medieval tourists stayed there. In 1878, after the British occupied Cyprus, the caravanserai was turned into the first British prison on the island. A little later, the colonialists set up a shelter for the poor and disadvantaged in it. One way or another, throughout its existence, Boyuk-Khan served as a refuge for people, until at the end of the twentieth century. has not undergone renovation, which turned it into an arts center and exhibition hall.
The complex has galleries with colonnades and a domed fountain for ablutions in front of prayer in the courtyard.
Ledra street
Nicosia's main trade route is closed to road transport. Both locals and tourists love to walk along it. Until 2008, part of Ledra Street belonged to the Republic of Cyprus, while the other part was located on the territory of Northern Cyprus. The dismantling of the wall on the highway has become a symbol of the changing political environment, and today Ledra is full of tourists who, walking, may not notice that they are in another country.
The name of the local Arbat was given by the ancient city, on the site of which the modern Ledra lies. The street is now full of shops selling the best souvenirs in Cyprus and restaurants serving local cuisine. Cafes and shops of famous world names - McDonald's, Starbaks and others - are open on Ledra Street.
Meniko village
Want to experience real rural life and meet the local people of Cyprus who cultivate the land and produce natural olive oil, wine and cheeses? Travel to the village of Meniko, 20 km west of Nicosia, and enjoy the true atmosphere of Mediterranean village life.
In addition to olive and orange groves and vineyards, you will see watermills, with the help of which peasants still receive flour. An architectural and religious landmark of Menico is the temple of Saints Justinha and Cyprian, where pilgrims from all over the area come to worship.
