North Cyprus > About North
Cyprus > Cities
As can be seen from the map right, North Cyprus has 5 major towns: Lefkosha (Nicosia), Girne (Kyrenia), Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Guzelyurt(Morphou) and Lefke.
The Kyrenia Gate Although
Lefkosha was founded in ancient times, it did not develop until the
Lusignan Era. Massive walls encircling the old city were built by the
Venetians in 1570, with the aim of protecting the city against a possible
Turkish attack. The walls, which still remain almost as they were built,
consist of eleven bastions. A charming mosque (Bayraktar Mosque) was
erected on Costanza Bastion soon after the Turkish conquest in 1571. In
Lefkosha, there are many historic monuments dating from the Middle Ages
and later. Among these are several examples of Gothic and Ottoman
buildings. Since Cyprus remained under Turkish Rule for more than three
centuries, all the towns on the island reflect the Turkish influence both
in their architecture and in the lifestyle of the people.
Girne is a fascinating
town located on the northern coast of North Cyprus in a setting of great
natural beauty. It is an ideal resort for those who want to relax in a
peaceful place, away from bustling city life. There are luxury hotels,
self-catering apartments, picnic places and sandy beaches on both sides
of the town. One of the attractions of Girne is its historic castle, and
the tiny horse shoe shaped harbour The Kyrenia Castle with its yachts. The castle which was built by the Byzantines and
restored and reinforced by the Lusignans and Venetians, still retains all
its magnificence today. Atmospheric restaurants, attractive pubs and open
air cafeterias are to be found all along the edge of the historic old
harbour.
St. Nicholas Gazimagusa,
which was originally founded as a small commercial port and fishing town,
flourished in the 12th Century during the Lusignan period, and became an
important trading centre between the East and the West. With nearly 365
places of worship and numerous palaces belonging to the nobles of the
age, it was one of the most prosperous cities of the Mediterranean. Among
the churches of Gazimagusa, the cathedral of St. Nicholas, where the
Lusignan Kings were crowned, remains today as a particularly fine example
of Gothic architecture. Soon after the Ottoman conquest in 1571, an
elegant minaret was added to this cathedral and it was converted into
a
mosque and named after Lala Mustafa Pasha, the commander of the Ottoman
forces who conquered the island. The Venetian walls surrounding the
historic city are one of the best examples of Medieval architecture still
existing today.
The golden sandy beaches of Gazimagusa are well known throughout the
world and it is the most important centre of tourism.
Situated in the northwest
of Cyprus, surrounded by lovely citrus groves is the town of
Güzelyurt, which means "beautiful country" in Turkish. The
Güzelyurt region is very fertile, with numerous underground springs.
A large proportion of the citrus fruits are exported, and the remaining
are made into fruit juice and canned for local consumption and export. In
spring, the light breezes scatter the white orange blossoms from which
you can smell the fragrance around the town, while in other seasons the
golden oranges and lemons shine on the trees. It is an ideal picnic spot
for those who want to escape from the noise and rush of city life and to
spend Morphou Gardens the day in the peace and quiet of the natural
surroundings.
Cities
As can be seen from the map right, North Cyprus has 5 major towns: Lefkosha (Nicosia), Girne (Kyrenia), Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Guzelyurt(Morphou) and Lefke.
Lefkosha(Nicosia):
The Kyrenia Gate Although
Lefkosha was founded in ancient times, it did not develop until the
Lusignan Era. Massive walls encircling the old city were built by the
Venetians in 1570, with the aim of protecting the city against a possible
Turkish attack. The walls, which still remain almost as they were built,
consist of eleven bastions. A charming mosque (Bayraktar Mosque) was
erected on Costanza Bastion soon after the Turkish conquest in 1571. In
Lefkosha, there are many historic monuments dating from the Middle Ages
and later. Among these are several examples of Gothic and Ottoman
buildings. Since Cyprus remained under Turkish Rule for more than three
centuries, all the towns on the island reflect the Turkish influence both
in their architecture and in the lifestyle of the people.Girne(Kyrenia):
Girne is a fascinating
town located on the northern coast of North Cyprus in a setting of great
natural beauty. It is an ideal resort for those who want to relax in a
peaceful place, away from bustling city life. There are luxury hotels,
self-catering apartments, picnic places and sandy beaches on both sides
of the town. One of the attractions of Girne is its historic castle, and
the tiny horse shoe shaped harbour The Kyrenia Castle with its yachts. The castle which was built by the Byzantines and
restored and reinforced by the Lusignans and Venetians, still retains all
its magnificence today. Atmospheric restaurants, attractive pubs and open
air cafeterias are to be found all along the edge of the historic old
harbour.Gazimagusa(Famagusta):
St. Nicholas Gazimagusa,
which was originally founded as a small commercial port and fishing town,
flourished in the 12th Century during the Lusignan period, and became an
important trading centre between the East and the West. With nearly 365
places of worship and numerous palaces belonging to the nobles of the
age, it was one of the most prosperous cities of the Mediterranean. Among
the churches of Gazimagusa, the cathedral of St. Nicholas, where the
Lusignan Kings were crowned, remains today as a particularly fine example
of Gothic architecture. Soon after the Ottoman conquest in 1571, an
elegant minaret was added to this cathedral and it was converted into
a
mosque and named after Lala Mustafa Pasha, the commander of the Ottoman
forces who conquered the island. The Venetian walls surrounding the
historic city are one of the best examples of Medieval architecture still
existing today.
The golden sandy beaches of Gazimagusa are well known throughout the
world and it is the most important centre of tourism.Guzelyurt(Morphou):
Situated in the northwest
of Cyprus, surrounded by lovely citrus groves is the town of
Güzelyurt, which means "beautiful country" in Turkish. The
Güzelyurt region is very fertile, with numerous underground springs.
A large proportion of the citrus fruits are exported, and the remaining
are made into fruit juice and canned for local consumption and export. In
spring, the light breezes scatter the white orange blossoms from which
you can smell the fragrance around the town, while in other seasons the
golden oranges and lemons shine on the trees. It is an ideal picnic spot
for those who want to escape from the noise and rush of city life and to
spend Morphou Gardens the day in the peace and quiet of the natural
surroundings.
