Sights of Nicosia. What is worth seeing in Nicosia? Tour of southern Nicosia

In recent years, Nicosia has made significant progress in terms of infrastructure, and there have always been many interesting sights here. The capital of Cyprus offers many musical and theatrical events, and the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, which is based in Nicosia, is considered a European star. The city is also famous for its gastronomy. The dishes of local restaurants are famous for their good quality and they are cheaper than in other European capitals.

Many tourists choose Cyprus as a cozy place to spend lazy time on the seashore. And rightly so: the local beaches are really good. However, this should not be limited here, because an excursion to Nicosia should become an obligatory part of a trip to Cyprus.

In the center of Nicosia stands the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, which was built in the 17th century. Although the temple does not attract much attention from the outside, the inside amazes with its luxury and beauty. Its ceiling and walls are decorated with a huge number of frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible, as well as wall paintings that were preserved in the original. The cathedral attracts pilgrims from all over the island and the coronation of new Cypriot archbishops also takes place here.

St. Catherine's Cathedral was built in the 14th century. It was a wonderful example of Gothic architecture, with traditional stone roses, dragons, and gargoyles. In 1571, the beautiful structure was turned into the Haydar Pasha Mosque when a high minaret was completed. At the end of the 20th century, after restoration, the mosque was given over to an exhibition hall.

Built during the reign of the Lusignan dynasty, the Faneromeni Church is the largest Christian church in Cyprus and the place where the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary was kept for a long time. Today there is a copy of it, and the icon itself has found a home in the Byzantine Museum.

The landmark of the church is the iconostasis, dated 1659, which depicts scenes from the Old Testament. Next to the temple there is a mausoleum built of marble, where the priests killed by the Ottomans are buried.

Erected on the site of an old church in 1695 in the Byzantine style on the initiative of Archbishop Germanos, the Church of Archangel Michael is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting mermaids, lions, sea creatures, which is not typical for religious buildings.

In 1812, a gilded iconostasis was made for the temple, decorated with magnificent wood carvings. In the church you can see many icons, and the most valuable is the icon of the Mother of God and Child, consecrated in the 15th century.

Also known as Hagia Sophia, the Selimiye Mosque is located in the fortified part of Nicosia. It is the oldest Gothic building in Cyprus, dating back to the 12th century. Until 1570, it housed the Agia Sophia Cathedral, decorated with magnificent frescoes and sculptures.

After the occupation of Nicosia by the Ottomans, the cathedral was converted into a mosque. At the same time, 2 minarets were added to the structure. In 1954, it was named Selimiye, in honor of Sultan Selim II.

Not far from the capital of Cyprus, among the dense forests, the Macheras Monastery is hidden, in which the miraculous icon of the Mother of God Macheriotissa is kept.

It was built in the 12th century, and in 1900 it was completely reconstructed after a severe fire, which almost completely destroyed the buildings. In addition to the miracle icon, the attraction of the monastery is the monument to Gregory Afxentiou, the hero of the war for the independence of Cyprus.

The Museum of Archeology of Cyprus was founded in 1882. Today it is located in a building built in 1908 according to the design of the architect N. Balanos. The museum only houses artifacts discovered during numerous excavations on the island.

It consists of 14 exhibition halls, a library, and a laboratory for storing and studying antiques. The exhibits are exhibited here in a clear chronological order and thematic sequence, starting from the Neolithic to the Roman period.

Located next to the Venetian Walls of Nicosia, the Nicosia Contemporary Art Gallery showcases a magnificent collection of works by Cypriot painters and sculptors from the 19th and 20th centuries.

It was created in 1994. An interesting exhibition in the museum is of engravings by contemporary artists, which surprisingly accurately imitate works from the Middle Ages. In addition to permanent exhibitions, the gallery organizes temporary exhibitions of contemporary foreign authors.

Part of the Archbishop Makarios Cultural Foundation, the Byzantine Museum is home to several impressive icon collections. The main collection consists of 48 icons collected throughout the country.

In addition, there are 230 icons from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as sacred vessels, religious vestments and books. A special place in the museum is occupied by 7 fragments of a 6th century mosaic from the apse of the Church of Panagia Kanakaria and 36 fragments of paintings from the Church of Christ Antiphonitis.

In the Turkish part of Nicosia there is a museum that contains household items, musical instruments, paintings of dervishes of the Mevlevi sect, the so-called “dancing dervishes”, followers of Sufism. Their ritual dances, “sema,” allowed believers to fall into a state of exaltation. In 1925, Sufism was banned and its followers dispersed. Next to the museum there is a passage that leads to 16 tombs of high-ranking dervishes.

The Ledra Observatory Museum is located on the 11th floor of the Shakolas Tower in Nicosia. Ledra consists of a modern museum and observatory, which offers unobstructed views of the entire capital of Cyprus. The museum's permanent exhibition is a collection of photographs, films and slides dedicated to the history of the capital of Cyprus.

One of the most interesting sights of Turkish Nicosia, Buyuk Khan is a large complex built in 1572. This is a medieval inn, which in its design was not very different from a fortress. After 1878, when the city passed to the British, the caravanserai was turned into a prison, and after World War II it was given to the homeless.

Today it is a popular tourist site, with several cafeterias and souvenir shops. Buyuk Khan is also known as the location of the Shadow Theater, whose performances attract an impressive audience.

The abandoned village of Fikardou, located at the foot of Troodos, has the status of an open-air museum. Well restored, although the inhabitants left here in the 19th century, it has retained its originality. The stone and wooden houses of the village are decorated with colorful ornaments, beautiful carvings and openwork balconies. Two houses are given over to museums:

• In one, Katsinioru, clothing, household items, and tools of local residents are exhibited, being an excellent example of rural housing from the 16th to 18th centuries.
• The other, Akilis Dimitri, has been converted into an ancient weaving workshop.

The largest gate of the ancient walls of Nicosia was built in 1567 by the Venetians and named Giuliani Gate. During Ottoman times, they opened at sunrise and closed at sunset, but not on Friday, when the guards prayed. In 1980, the gate was restored: ventilation and lighting were installed. Today, the Famagusta Gate is the venue for numerous temporary exhibitions.

Built next to the old Archbishop's Palace in the 1956-1960s in neo-Venetian style, the new Archbishop's Palace is the official residence of the Archbishop of Cyprus. In addition to the residence, it houses: the Byzantine Museum, the Archiepiscopal Library, the Museum of Folk Art and the National Museum.

Turkish baths are popular all over the world. The Büyük Hamam baths were built on the ruins of an ancient temple in 1571, when Nicosia was conquered by the Ottomans. Today they are still functioning, and local bath attendants are recognized masters of bath art.

Crossing both the Turkish and Greek parts of Nicosia, Ledra Street is a real oasis for shopping lovers. Here you can buy whatever your heart desires, and at very reasonable prices.

The most popular nightclub in Nicosia, Zoo Club is divided into 2 recreation areas: a dance floor, where loud music is constantly playing, and a chill-out Zoo Lounge Bar, where you can relax while drinking one of the delicious local cocktails. If you want to unwind after numerous excursions around the city, you should choose this cozy nightclub.

The first settlements in the area of ​​modern Nicosia date back to 3900 BC. And in the XI-VII centuries BC. the ancient city-state of Ledra (later Lefkotion) flourished in this place; in the 3rd - 4th centuries the city, significantly destroyed by earthquakes and raids, lost its former grandeur. Today Ledra is a small village in the suburbs of Nicosia, and the central pedestrian street of Nicosia is named after it.

In the 7th century, Arab pirates began to attack the coastal cities of Cyprus, and entire settlements were destroyed. people began to go deeper into the island. At this time, the revival of Lefkosia began, during this period numerous mountain settlements were founded. In 1191, the island was conquered by Richard the Lionheart, he captured the Byzantine ruler, the usurper Isaac Komnenos, plundered Lefkosia, then sold Cyprus to the Templars for a symbolic price. And already in 1192 the island came into the possession of the French Lusignan dynasty, Lefkosia became the capital of the Kingdom of Cyprus. The city is being actively rebuilt, majestic Catholic cathedrals are being built, Nicosia is getting its modern name.

In 1489, as a result of a series of wars, the island became a Venetian colony. The Venetians fortify the main cities of Cyprus, surrounding Nicosia with a grandiose stone wall in the shape of a star with 11 rays, fortified with bastions. The governor's residence is under construction. In 1570-1571, Cyprus was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. The siege of Nicosia lasted a month and a half, when the fortress city fell and the Turks massacred all its defenders. Many temples and monasteries were converted into mosques or abandoned. Fearing the return of the influence of the Catholic Church on the island, the Turks were more loyal to the Orthodox population, the head of the Cypriot Orthodox Church became not only a spiritual leader, but also a full-fledged people's leader. When Cyprus actively supported the Greek liberation war of 1881-1889, the Turkish government harshly suppressed the uprising. The governor of the island, Mehmet Kuchuk, ordered 486 noble Cypriots to come to Nicosia and, having closed the city gates, beheaded or hanged 470 of them. Among those executed were Bishop Chrysanthos of Paphos, Bishop Meletios of Kition and Bishop Lawrence of Kyrenia. Archbishop Cyprian of Cyprus, who supported the uprising, was publicly hanged from a tree opposite the Lusignan palace.

In 1878, Cyprus, under a treaty of alliance, passed to the British Empire, and following the results of the First World War, it became its colony. Throughout the years of its reign, the British government has maintained hostility between the Greek and Turkish populations of the island, pitting the two communities against each other. In 1960, Cyprus received its long-awaited independence, Nicosia became the capital of a free state, but not for long. Intercommunal tensions are growing. Since 1963, armed conflicts have broken out on the island, and peacekeeping forces have been deployed. In 1974, Türkiye sent its troops into the northern territory of the island and captured 37% of its territory. The border between the two warring states passed through the capital Nicosia. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey and is considered a disputed territory. All attempts at reconciliation and elimination of the conflict have so far been unsuccessful. In 2004, the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Economic Union. From that moment to this day, negotiations have been ongoing on the reunification of Cyprus. Since 2008, several border crossing points have been opened, one of them is along the pedestrian Ledra street in the center of Nicosia.

Nicosia is a city of two countries. The main attraction is the Green Line that divides it. This is the only divided capital in the world, so first of all tourists want to see the border line.

Tour of southern Nicosia

Nicosia is very original and colorful. In the center of the city, in a shopping complex, there is an observation deck equipped with binoculars, an audio guide, and maps. Entrance ticket price 2 euros. In the photo taken from there you will get a panoramic view of the entire capital. Ledra Street (local Arbat), popular among tourists, runs near the site. The street goes through the Old Town, where you can see the Venetian Walls, the beautiful church on Faneromeni Square, and the Arablar Jami Mosque nearby. Such an interesting mixture of cultures, religions, styles, eras is the calling card of the capital of Cyprus. Ledra ends at the Green Line.

This route is the minimum tourist program in Nicosia. The more curious will visit the museums whose addresses are in our guide. It is also worth going to the palace of the first president of Cyprus, Archbishop Macarius. Non-tourist places deserve special attention. You can go on your own to ordinary Cypriot streets and feel the measured rhythm of Cypriot life.

What to see in Turkish Nicosia

Northern Cyprus is an unrecognized state. Travelers do not stay long on the Turkish side. There are no top architectural and cultural representatives here. Be sure to visit Ataturk Square, where there are objects reminiscent of the period of Ottoman rule and the times when these lands belonged to the British. The most famous object is the Venetian Column. The Venetians brought it, installed it, decorated it with coats of arms, and then each new government made changes to its appearance in accordance with its own culture. Among the modern buildings, the Saray Hotel stands out, which is the tallest building in Nicosia.

Guests are attracted by markets, mosques, baths, and the house of the Lusignans, a dynasty that ruled the island for about 300 years.

Nicosia has a very large number of interesting attractions, and the city itself is large and diverse. In this city guide, I will try to take you to all the best places. Well, it’s up to you to decide what is most interesting and worthy of close attention. The guide is quite extensive and is divided into subtopics and three parts. The distances between the objects are not large and an independent walk, without a guiding guide, will bring great pleasure. So, let's go on our tour.

Bastions of Nicosia

In the center of Nicosia is the old city, surrounded by powerful city walls. These are 16th-century Venetian fortress walls with bastions. In 1567, they were erected by the best military engineers of the time to protect themselves from the Turks. 11 bastions and three gates were erected. All bastions were named after 11 aristocratic Venetian families who donated funds for the construction of the fortifications. The walls and bastions were built using the most advanced technologies of that century, which is probably why they are perfectly preserved. Everything was well thought out - the moat with water made it difficult to approach the walls, the masonry was super strong. After the division of Nicosia, 5 of the 11 bastions ended up on the Turkish side, 5 on the Greek side. And one under the control of UN peacekeeping forces. Let's go through them in order.

Bastion Musalla or Barbaro (Barbaro Bastion). It houses a museum of national struggle. Nearby is the Kyrenia Gate. They stand separately from the walls, in the middle of the street. At this gate, Girne Gad Street begins, which leads to Ataturk Meydani Square.
Next we go to the Loredano Bastion. Now there is a modern city park Ankara Caglayan (Ankara Çağlayan Parkı). There are many children's playgrounds, attractions and cafes. Next we move to the Sibeli Bastion (Flatro). This is exactly the one that is located on the territory of the peacekeeping troops. You won't be able to get close to him. To continue the tour, you need to go through passport control and go to the southern part of the city.

Karaffa Bastion is interesting because the Melina Mercouri Hall is located here - the center of the cultural life of Nicosia. Presentations and exhibitions are held here. The hall is named after the famous Greek singer and actress, who for the first time in Greek history took the post of Minister of Culture in 1981. Next to the bastion is the Famagusta Gate - the most beautiful of the three. In front of the gate is the Square of Archbishop Cyprian. Let's take a walk through it.

Last minute tours to Cyprus

Archbishop Cyprian Square

The main attraction of the square is the Palace of the Archbishop of the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The palace is huge and occupies an entire block. This is an entire diocese, on the territory of which the Byzantine Museum, library, and art gallery are located. In front of the palace there is a monument to Archbishop Cyprian. Next to the palace is the Cathedral of St. John. This is a simple and graphic temple, built in the 16th century on the site of an ancient Byzantine monastery. The medieval iconostasis has been perfectly preserved in the church. The icons were painted by Ioannis Cornaro in 1795-1797. All the walls of the temple are covered with colorful frescoes. This is the only Nicosia cathedral in which the frescoes are completely preserved. Next to St. John's Cathedral there is an Ethnographic Museum that you can visit.

• Museum opening hours: weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• The ticket costs about 2 €.

In one of the wings of the palace there is the richest iconographic museum in Cyprus - the Byzantine Museum. It is considered the Cultural Center of Archbishop Makarios. This is one of the most interesting museums in Europe and the world. Here you can see icons from the 10th to the 20th centuries, ancient mosaics, church utensils, and vestments. On the ground floor there is a photo exhibition that speaks of the barbaric attitude towards Northern Cyprus. On the second floor there is an Art Gallery, where works of European artists of the 15th-20th centuries are presented.

• Museum opening hours: weekdays from 9 to 16-30, Saturday from 9 to 13.

• The ticket costs about 2 €.

Church of Saint Chrysoliniotissa and Bastion of Podokatoro

Not far from the gates of Famagusta, on Od.Odysseos Street you can see the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chrysaliniotissa (Panagia Chrysaliniotissa Church). Its name is translated as “The Mother of God – Patroness of the Golden Flax”. Externally, the church is not particularly remarkable, but it contains three icons that are especially revered in Cyprus. Very close by (the intersection of Ipponaktos and Dimonaktos streets) there is an interesting organization - the Chrysoliniotissa Crafts Center. These are eight workshops where folk craftsmen work.

Having examined the temple, we move further clockwise and here we are at the Podocatoro Bastion near the Freedom Monument. A very beautiful monument, built in 1973 in memory of the beginning of the armed struggle against the British colonialists. And across the road from the monument, right next to the houses, you can see an ancient aqueduct. It was built in the 18th century. This is part of Nicosia's water supply system, which brought water from the mountains in the north of the capital. If you stand with your back to the bastion and walk forward to Patriarch Grigoriou Street, you will see a massive building that looks like a medieval fortress. This is the House of Cornesios. This is the most beautiful 18th century mansion in Nicosia. The house belonged to the famous diplomat Hadjigeorgakis Karnesios. The furnishings of the house have been restored to the original and you can walk through the luxurious chambers of the oriental house.

• Opening hours on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Ticket price is about 2 €.

Laiki Getonia quarter in Nicosia

The next point is the Constanta Bastion. The Bayraktar Mosque was built on it, which means “the one who carries the banner.” This is the first mosque built by the Turks in Nicosia after its capture in 1571. Next we follow to the D'Avilla Bastion. Here is the Nicosia City Hall. Opposite the bastion is the center of old Nicosia, Freedom Square (Plateia Eleftherias). The famous Ledras street departs from this square. Previously, Freedom Square was called Metaskas - in honor of the Greek dictator. This square is actually just a wide street. For many years, national holidays, parades and celebrations were held here.

Opposite the bastion D'Avilla is the tourist area of ​​​​Greek Nicosia - the Laiki Yeitonia quarter. This is Nicosia's "old Arbat" with artists, musicians and coffee shops. Walking along Laiki Yeitonia you will see what Nicosia was like 200 years ago. The streets here are narrow and curved. Small houses and restaurants among orange trees create a unique flavor of the old era. You can buy here folk crafts, jewelry, silver, traditional embroidery and much more. And here, by the way, there is an information office that organizes walking tours of Nicosia. every Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Near the Laiki Getonia quarter, on Od.Solonos street there is a church with an unusual name - Michael Trypiotis. In translation it sounds very strange - Mikhail making a hole. According to legend, Archangel Michael saved people who took refuge in the temple from the Turks. When the Turks wanted to flood it with water, people began to pray and Michael appeared and cut a hole in the rock closest to the temple and directed a stream of water there. In the iconostasis of the temple there is a miraculous icon of the Archangel Michael, painted in 1634. The temple itself was built in 1695, and the iconostasis appeared 100 years later.

Next to the Church of Michael Trypiotis is the Leventis Municipal Museum. It was founded in 1980 with funds from philanthropist Anastasios Leventis. At the museum you can view a collection of the history of Cyprus from the Copper Age to the present day. There are many medieval engravings, costumes, furniture, and jewelry.

• Museum address: Ippocratous Street, 17.

• Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 9.00-16.00

Ledra Shopping Street - the street of two states

You can return to Freedom Square again and go for a walk along Ledras street. This is the main shopping street of the city, just over a kilometer long. Let's take a closer look at it. The street is located in two states at once - in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus, well, where else can you see this! Ledra is the name of the ancient city that was once located on this site. The main part of Ledra is located on Greek territory, 150 meters is on Turkish territory, and 70 meters is a buffer zone that does not belong to anyone.

UN peacekeeping forces set up headquarters at the Ledra Hotel. Until recently, Ledra was separated by a three-meter wide barricade, and there were clashes. But now Ledra is a completely safe pedestrian street. In 2008, Ledra was opened, which became a signal for the improvement of relations between the two sides. South Cypriots only need to present documents to enter. And for us tourists, the Turkish part is now very simple. It is enough to fill out the card in English and present your passport to the Turkish customs officers, and on the way back to the Greek ones.

Ledra is a great opportunity to stroll and do some shopping. Here you can find fashionable shops, chocolate shops, old restaurants, the most beautiful boutiques and jewelry workshops. On Ledra Street there is the Ledra Observatory Museum. This is an observation deck on the tallest building in Nicosia, which offers stunning panoramic views of the city.

Faneromeni Square (Phameromenis)

After walking around Ledra, turn right (east) into Phameromenis Square. From Freedom Square, all city events have now moved here. On the square there is the Faneromenis Church and the Arablar Mosque. The square is the center of the Faneromeni district. This is a very colorful place. On one street here you can see Byzantine, Gothic and English buildings. There is a concentration of fashion stores, banks, and various representative offices of companies. There is a sad fact and you will see it.

Many buildings located close to the green line are in poor condition and need urgent repairs. Visit Faneromeni Church. The church has a stunning wooden iconostasis, created in 1659. The walls of the temple are decorated with frescoes by various artists. Next to the church there is a bright two-story neoclassical building with large windows. This is the Faneromeni library. The building was built in 1934. Next to the church is the Faneromeni school. The building was built in 1924 by the famous Cypriot architect Theodoros Photiades. From Faneromeni Temple, turn left onto Od.Lefkonos Street and you will see the very unusual 16th century Stavros tou Missirika Church. Its architecture mixed all styles from Gothic to Renaissance, but, oddly enough, this mixture is very harmonious.

Tillirias Square and Omeriye Baths

From the church return to Faneromeni Square. Trikoupi Street runs in front of the square. (Od.Trikoupi). Cross to the other side of this street and go slightly to the right and you will find yourself in Tillirias Square. Here you can see two attractions of Nicosia at once - first, explore the curious functioning mosque, and then the functioning baths of the same name. In 1395, there was a Catholic monastery of St. Mary of Augustine on this site. It looked very much like a fortress. The monastery church that we see now was built in the same style. Its walls amaze with their power and thickness. These walls even withstood Turkish artillery fire in 1570. In honor of the capture of Nicosia in 1570, Mustafa Pasha founded a mosque (Omerye mosque).

Next to the mosque are the Omeriye Baths. They were built as a gift at the same time as the mosque. These are low stone buildings with domes. The baths have three zones: a hall where clothes are left, a warming steam room and the main steam room. The baths have been restored and you can have a great Turkish steam bath.
The excursion program is intense, so if you have time and desire, it is better to split it into a couple of days. In the second part of the guide: continuation of the walk through the bastions, the Archaeological Museum of Cyprus, city gardens, we go again to the Turkish part -

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

The city of Nicosia is located in the middle of the central plain of the island of Cyprus. Today it is the largest city and capital of the island. Nicosia has had this status since the Middle Ages. The main reasons for settling this area were the availability of water (the Pedios River flows here) and fertile land, which allowed the first settlers to engage in agriculture and animal husbandry. The period of French domination made Nicosia the center of government of the island. This time is considered the most intense in terms of the construction of major objects: the majestic churches and uniquely beautiful buildings that were built by the French today serve as the best decoration of the city streets. It was here that the coronation of kings took place. The first walls of the city were built by the Lusignan dynasty. The Venetians later built other walls with a smaller perimeter. They were located at a distance from the natural hills surrounding the city. At a time when the island was ruled by the British, a wooden building of the presidential palace was built. Now a new stone palace rises on this site. During this period, the expansion of the city beyond the built walls began.

Since 1974, after the Turkish occupation, Nicosia has been divided into two parts. The “Greek part” of Nicosia has been developing very rapidly in recent years. It consists of the Old Town and the New. But they coexist as a single harmonious whole. The New Town is a conglomerate of many modern districts, which is located outside the Old Town. It is truly a cosmopolitan center with wide highways, modern shopping centers, squares and hotels. Public services and foreign embassies are concentrated here. In recent years, this area of ​​the city has been considered a kind of center in Central Asia for holding international conferences and symposiums.

The old town is surrounded by massive 16th-century Venetian walls. They are the distinctive feature of the capital and, at the same time, an architectural monument of antiquity. They certainly deserve your attention. These walls were built according to the plans of the famous Venetian architect Giulio Savorniano in the mid-16th century. Note that there are eleven heart-shaped bastions extending from the gate, with a perimeter of just under 5 kilometers. There were three gates in total: the northern gate of Kerynia, the eastern gate of Famagusta and the western gate of Paphos. The eastern ones were later rebuilt and currently house the cultural center of Nicosia City Hall. They consist of a large passage closed by a high dome and two side halls. The internal entrance is especially impressive. The outer entrance opens towards the moat that once surrounded the walls. In 1984, this ancient monument was awarded the Europa Nostra prize for its restoration, good maintenance and transformation into a functioning cultural center. It is best to start a walk through the Old Town with its narrow, labyrinthine streets from Freedom Square, which is located between the old quarters and the modern city, built after the 19th century. To the west are two of Nicosia's busiest streets: Lydra Street and, parallel to it, Onasagora Street. Once upon a time there was the main shopping center of the capital. If you turn left from Freedom Square (opposite Nicosia's central post office) into a narrow street, you will find yourself in the People's District.

This is a small pedestrian part of the city, reminiscent of ancient times in its atmosphere. The area is lined with classical buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries, some of which have been rebuilt while others retain the original architectural features of the time. You can learn more about the history of Nicosia at the Levendio People's Museum, at 17 Hippocrates Street, near the People's District.

The Levendio Folk Museum is housed in a two-story building from the 19th century, where objects are exhibited in various exhibitions that tell the history of the capital of Cyprus at different stages of its centuries-old development. Here you can see photographs, engravings, lists of governors and senior officers of Cyprus, evidence of heavy tribute during the Turkish yoke, ancient Venetian coins and many other rare exhibits.

Near the People's District, at 7-9 Praxilu Street, there is the Museum of Jewelry Art. The museum displays jewelry items from the late 19th century to the present day. Here you can see a wide variety of jewelry, church vessels and ancient instruments. Continuing your walk through this area, move further along Solonos Street, and suddenly the Cathedral of St. Trypiotis, built in 1695, will appear in front of you and is a full-fledged monument of Franco-Byzantine architecture.

The transition to the Old Town is a quick change of eras. Narrow streets, dead ends, old estates with balconies hewn from yellowish Nicosia stone, small old workshops in which craftsmen continue to practice their craft - all this can evoke a slight nostalgia for past times. This is where the “green line” passes, dividing the capital of Cyprus. Therefore, many old picturesque streets suddenly end with a line of military fortifications. You will see guard towers here on both sides of the dividing strip.

This area of ​​Nicosia has fairly dense buildings, but the number of residents here is small. People have abandoned their homes in this troubled area and they are gradually falling into ruin. The authorities, of course, are striving to change the situation, at least by finding ways to make the most efficient use of these houses. The most expensive restaurants, cafes and bars open in their premises.

Next to the People's Quarter is the famous Archbishop Cyprian Square, where the Patriarchate building is located. It is a two-story building made of yellow stone, built in a non-Byzantine style. Its construction dates back to between 1956 and 1960. It was once the home of the Archbishop of Cyprus and the heart of the Cypriot Greek Orthodox Church. It is here that a large number of icons, all kinds of manuscripts and other especially valuable treasures of the Cypriot church are kept. In 1987, a giant bronze sculpture of Archbishop Macarius III, who was the first President of the Hellenic Republic in the mid-20th century and Archbishop of Cyprus, was installed in front of the building. On the other side of the building there is a bust of Archbishop Cyprian.

Is the answer helpful?

Considering that there are not a large number of attractions in Cyprus, the island is more focused on a beach type of holiday. The capital Nicosia will be very relevant for lovers of excursions, since it is here that you can see all the most interesting things related to the history of this state. Therefore, you can safely come here either on your own: by bus or in a rented car, or as part of a group on a tour.

What is worth seeing in Nicosia.

• Museum of Barbarism- this place contains very terrible facts that happened in 1963 on the territory of Cyprus during the days of the division of the island into two parts. At the time of the declaration of independence of the Greek side of Cyprus, terrorists began to purge Turkish citizens, in other words, to kill. The house in which the Museum of Barbarism is now located was once the home of an ordinary Turkish family, but on the eve of Christmas in 1963, the entire family, including children, was brutally murdered in the bathroom where they were hiding. Nowadays, when entering this museum, you can see photographs of those events hanging on the walls, as well as other victims who were also mercilessly killed on those terrible dates. I wouldn’t recommend visiting this place for the faint of heart, because a lot of what they see sends a chill down their spine.

Opening hours: daily from 09.00-14.00 in summer, and from 09.00-16.45 in winter (break from 13.00 to 14.00)

Address: Nicosia, Irhan Sokak 2 W, in the new part of the city

Museum of Barbarism.

• Mevlevi Tekke Museum- located on the Turkish part of Nicosia. It is quite miniature in size and is located on the territory of the monastery of the Order of the Dancing Dervishes. Dervishes are followers of such a movement in Islam as Sufism. They danced to the music, thus entering into a kind of trance, uniting with God. Mevlevi Tekke is an ethnographic museum of Turkish Cyprus. It consists of several halls in which the following exhibitions are displayed: musical instruments, paintings, household items belonging directly to the dervish.

Opening hours: daily from 9.00-14.00 in summer, also from 9.00-17.00 in winter.

Address: Nicosia, Girne Caddesi (Turkish part of the city)

Mevlevi Tekke Museum.

• Byzantine Museum- located in the center of the old part of Nicosia on the territory of St. John's Cathedral. About 230 icons are exhibited here, as well as objects of Byzantine art. A master works directly in the museum itself, who shows all visitors how a real mosaic is made. Entrance fee for adults: 2 euros, for children 0.50 euros. Opening hours: on weekdays from 9 am to 16:30 pm, on Saturday – from 8 am to 12:00 pm, on Sunday the museum is closed.

Address: Plateia Archiepiskopou Kiprianou, South Nicosia

Byzantine Museum.

• Selimiye Mosque- this mosque is considered the main one in Cyprus; if you look at it, it will more closely resemble a Gothic cathedral. The thing is that originally this was the Hagia Sophia Cathedral; it was attacked and captured several times by the Genoese and Mamluks. When earthquakes occurred in Nicosia, the cathedral gradually began to collapse. However, in 1945 they actively took care of it, restored its former appearance and converted it into a mosque.

Address: Selimiye Meydani, Nicosia

Selimiye Mosque.

• Bedesten (former Church of St. Nicholas)- originally it was an ordinary Byzantine church built in the 12th century. Then it turned into a Greek Orthodox fortress. But it did not remain in this status for long and during Ottoman rule it turned into a regular textile market. In 2009, the northern part of Cyprus decided to restore it, today the building looks like it has been updated, but many changes have been made to it, so it looks somewhat ambiguous and again with a Gothic influence. You can visit Bedesten: Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat from 10.00 to 13.00, and on Wednesday from 14.30 to 17.00, Sunday is a day off.

Address: Nicosia, Kuyumcular Sokak (Turkish part of the city)

Bedesten (former Church of St. Nicholas)

• Caravanserai Buyuk Khan- today a large number of tourists flock here to sit in local cafes and buy all sorts of interesting souvenirs. And once it was a large inn, then a prison. And after the Second World War it turned into a shelter for the homeless and beggars. Nowadays, in addition to trade, the Turkish Shadow Theater is located within its walls. Performances are held there extremely rarely, so you need to find out the nearest date in advance and buy tickets. You won't be able to get here spontaneously.

Address: Asmaalti Sokak, Nicosia

Caravanserai Buyuk Khan.

• Gallery of Contemporary Art- you will not find the Middle Ages in it; very young authors of our time exhibit their works here. The gallery has been operating since 1994 and arouses great interest among tourists. By visiting this place you will be able to see works of completely different styles and directions: painting, sculpture and installations. There are a large number of exhibitions here; fans of such museums will have something to appreciate. Entry here is completely free. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00. On Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00, on Sunday the gallery is closed.

Address: Corner of Stasinou and Kritis St, Nocosia

Gallery of Contemporary Art

Is the answer helpful?

Some people want to visit Nicosia for shopping, while others cannot resist the culinary delights of the capital's restaurants. Nicosia is always ready to satisfy any needs and desires of tourists.

The central parts of the new town vividly demonstrate the cosmopolitan flavor of modern architecture, while in the old part of the city the traditional charm of the Mediterranean cobbled streets is complemented by warm smiles that will greet you in small souvenir shops, and in traditional taverns with delicious home-cooked food, and in small craft workshops. Let yourself get lost in the weaving streets of the Old Town and enjoy the colorful variety of local flowers.

The magnificent Venetian walls surrounding the Old Town, which in ancient times served as fortress guards for the city, and the famous Famagusta Gate, which opened the entrance to the city, will not leave you indifferent.

Ancient sandstone houses with particularly Mediterranean architecture are successfully combined here with the workshops of local artists. And even if you are not a fan of archaeological sites or modern art, you can still visit the museums of old Nicosia.