Places of Interest, Kyrenia, North Cyprus

February 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In central Kyrenia there are many ways in which to spend a day, and you would be surprised how quickly the time goes!  It’s a great place to even just spend time sitting in the harbour, people watching, having a drink and some lunch in one of the many restaurants, taking in some of the sights and sounds, and perhaps popping into the odd shop along the way!

Obviously there are the glaringly obvious places of interest to absorb you, such as the magnificent Kyrenia Castle and the Shipwreck Museum housed within it, the stunning St. Hilarion castle as well as other exhibits housed in centuries old buildings, and you can find out more about these in our articles on museums and castles.  Also, just taking a walk behind the harbour will introduce you to some interesting and restored houses, as well as the Paşah mosque, all set in a myriad of cobbled and narrow streets which you can get quite lost in! [Read more...]

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Places of Interest, East of Kyrenia, North Cyprus

February 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Kazaphana Mosque, Ozanköy, North Cyprus

Going east from Kyrenia, there are many places to stop off and explore, some easy to find whilst some others not so easy!  The further east you travel from Kyrenia you come across many ancient and historically fascinating places that remain in good condition and make North Cyprus a beautiful place for all things ancient and historic!

Starting in Ozanköy you can see the 17th century Kazaphana Mosque, a well kept example of Ottoman architecture, with the two graves of the architect and donator to the mosque.  There is also the Panayia Tou Potmau church built around the 15th century, although sadly many of the frescoes inside have now deteriorated. [Read more...]

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Places of Interest, West of Kyrenia, North Cyprus

February 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Peace & Freedom Monument, Karaoğlanoğlu, North Cyprus

Going west from Kyrenia, there are many places to stop off and explore – and you may be surprised to learn that there are many more than you will usually find in most guidebooks.  The further west you travel from Kyrenia you come across many fascinating and historical places that remain a proud testament to an island rich in history.

Starting in Karaoğlanoğlu (pronounced Kara-o-lan-o-loo) is the ‘Şehitleği’ (martyrs’ monument) in a well-kept garden on the coastal side of the main road.  This  is the resting place of 71 men who died during the intervention of 1974.  The Peace and Freedom museum is also located here, featuring tanks and other military vehicles and an indoor exhibit reporting on the intervention of the Turkish military.  Further along the main road is the Peace and Freedom monument, a plain concrete structure rising into the air which marks the 1974 landing place. [Read more...]

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Places of Interest, Lefkoşa, North Cyprus

February 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you are visiting the city of Lefkoşa whilst on your travels in North Cyprus, or just fancy spending some time looking around whilst you may have business to attend to, it’s well worth taking time to explore the sights, of which there are plenty.

Beside the abundance of museums covered in our separate article, there are some great examples of period architecture, some of which have been restored in recent years and some which are still partially intact, enabling you to at least get a feel for the history of this ancient city.  Lefkoşa is believed to have begun as Ledroi in around 280 BC, and was further developed during the Byzantine era and further still by the various occupiers of the subsequent centuries, and has always been a place of importance. [Read more...]

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Places of Interest, Famagusta, North Cyprus

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Once one of the world’s richest cities, Famagusta is an oasis of history, and you would be wise to either make a weekend of it, or visit several times to give yourself enough time to explore this wondrous and historical gem.

During the Lusignan period from 1192-1489, Famagusta became a very prosperous place with many residing academics, meaning that plenty of money flowed to this part of the world, and subsequently the homes and buildings were opulent and plentiful too.  Today you can see ruins, museums, churches, mosques, basilicas and much more.  We will list a few of the major sights and places of interests to get you going, but there is certainly more to be seen! [Read more...]

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Places of Interest, Karpaz, North Cyprus

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Panayia Kanakaria, Karpaz, North Cyprus

The Karpaz Peninsula is one of the last remaining true sanctuaries of peace and calm, it’s a place littered with historical sites and stunning views where everyone should visit at some point whilst on the island of Cyprus.

To get to the Karpaz you can go either via Famagusta on the south-east coast and turn inland heading north, or you can now take the coastal road via Esentepe and Tatlısu where a new road is being constructed, but as yet it’s not quite finished.

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North Cyprus Museums

January 15, 2012 By 2 Comments

North Cyprus is an historical wonderland, having its past steeped in legends and the influence bought about by many different civilisations and nationalities.  If you are interested in learning more about the island’s past then there are numerous ways to go about it.

One way is to visit the museums in North Cyprus which can be found dotted around the cities and major towns, some of which are housed in the historical buildings themselves.  You can find out about shipwrecks, excavation discoveries, folklore and much, much more.

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LEFKOŞA, North Cyprus

January 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lefkoşa, Nicosia or Lefkosia …all names for the last remaining divided city in the world, located in the centre of Cyprus.  Lefkoşa is a large city with many districts, and we’ll give you a brief introduction to the heart of the city and its history.

Lefkoşa had been the capital of Cyprus since the 7th century and was once a prosperous and prominent city for many.  Buildings, monasteries and churches have been built in a prolific fashion during the city’s long history, but Lefkoşa has also unfortunately been a place of many conflicts – such as the invasion by the Marmelukes in 1426 and the subsequent arrival of the Venetians.  They reduced the city in size and fortified it with the walls that still remain to this day.  In the process of altering the city the Venetians also destroyed many fine examples of architecture spanning hundreds of years, including the resting place of the Lusignan monarchs.

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Esentepe, North Cyprus

January 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Esentepe, (meaning windy hill), is a village located on the north coast to the east of Kyrenia probably dating back to the Byzantine era when the village was first established.

If you’re looking to leave the hustle and bustle of Kyrenia behind and you want to venture out further into the ‘real North Cyprus,’ then head east along the coastal road and you’ll come to pretty Esentepe – your gateway to the Karpas region, the coast and the foothills of the Kyrenia range.  At its centre is a charming old village, which is so laid back it makes you want to sit down and while away the day over a coffee or perhaps a glass of local wine! The central village population is mainly made up of mainland Turkish people from the Black Sea region, who moved to North Cyprus post 1974.

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Karaman, North Cyprus

January 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The extremely attractive and peaceful village of Karaman, (or Karmi, which is the Greek name for the settlement), sits around 1,000 feet above sea level and is located on the lower slopes of the Kyrenia mountain range.  The gothic castle of St. Hilarion sits majestically above it, and is easily viewed from any spot in the village.

To visit Karmi take the coastal main road from Kyrenia until you reach Karaoğlanoğlu, and take a left turn signposted for Edremit and Karaman.  You will make your way up the mountain passing through the village of Edremit and its popular little Basket Shop, up past the small and private Hilarion Holiday Village and then Treasure Restaurant, bending round sharply to the right, and then on into the village.

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