Description of the attraction
The Paphos Gate is the smallest of the three entrances to Nicosia, which were built into the massive wall that surrounded the city. The entrance is also known as the "Upper Gate" - it is located above the Famagusta and Kyrenia gates, at an altitude of about 150 meters above sea level.
Initially, the passage was called "Porto San Domenico", as it was located next to the famous medieval monastery of St. Dominic, which was destroyed when the Venetians fortified the city walls, erected in the Lusignan era. These defensive structures are called the "Venetian Walls" - they were built in the years 1567-1570. Giulio Savorgnano became the chief architect of the project.
However, despite such powerful fortifications, the city was soon captured by the Turkish army. Inside the Paphos Gate, the new owners set up their general headquarters. Later, the British organized their headquarters there. In addition, during the British rule in Cyprus, a part of the wall was destroyed next to this passage in order to increase the carrying capacity. After all, it was only through the Paphos gate that it was possible to enter the road leading to the western part of the island, and the movement of people became more and more active.
The gate itself is an ordinary passage in the wall in the form of a long corridor and does not differ in any special architectural delights. Today, there is a police post and a fire service barracks, and there is also a functioning Church of the Holy Cross inside.
Not far from the Paphos Gate is the so-called Green Line, a neutral territory that serves as the border between the Turkish and Greek parts of Cyprus.
