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Facts about Cyprus

Area:	9,251 sq km
Capital:	Nicosia
Language:	Greek, Turkish
Currency:	Euro
	Turkish Lira
Population:	784,301
Coastline:	648 sq km

Home > Going Out > Historical Place > Nicosia (North)

Historical Plances in Nicosia (North)

With such a long history it is no surprise that there are many historical places to visit in Cyprus. Nicosia contains many interesting historical places including The Kyrenia Gate, o ne of the three gates on the walls surrounding the old city of Nicosia, and The City Walls.

The most notable of the mosques built by the Turks in Nicosia is the Arab Ahmet Mosque. You can visit it and see the many epitaphs and drawings.

The Bedesten was constructed in the 12th century as a Byzantine church. The building with its different architectural styles is of a hybrid nature The Dervis Pasa Mansion was built in the 19th century and is now open as a museum house.

The Gambler's Inn is an Ottoman structure constructed towards the end of the 17th century.

The Grand Bath, Buyuk Hamam was built on the remains of an old Latin church. The bath still functions today. The Great Inn is full of Turkish architecture and is a very interesting historical place to visit.

There are many beautiful mosques to visit in Nicosia including: Haydar Pasa Mosque is said to be the most notable Lusignan building in Nicosia. Iplik Pazari Mosque was built in t/he 19th century. It was named after a cotton market at the same location during the Ottoman period. There is also the The Sarayonu Mosque which was converted into a mosque from a Latin church. The Selimiye Mosque is noted as being the largest and the finest temple, and the most important Gothic structure in Cyprus. It is said to have been constructed over a Byzantine church called Hagia Sophia on the same site. Turunclu Mosque is recorded to have been built by the governor of Cyprus, Seyit Mehmet Aga in 1825. The Yenicami Mosque is notable for its wide site and porches.

The Lapidary Museum to the east of the Selimiye Mosque is a Venetian style building constructed in the 15th century. It houses many works of stone (insignias, works of marble, tombs and columns) from the Medieval Age to the present day. The Mevlevi Tekke Museum is full of Cypriot history and interesting artifacts.

The Sultan Mahmut Library was constructed by the Ottoman Sultan Mahmut II in 1829. It contains some very valuable books in Turkish, Arabic and Persian.

Venetian Column Ataturk Square was erected by the Venetians in 1550.