Koruçam can be reached by travelling west on the coast road, turning right at the signs for Kayalar, and following the scenic coastal road before turning left inland at signs for Koruçam, or alternatively follow the main mountain road for Güzelyurt and turn right at the signs for Koruçam.

The Maronite community was said to have originated after settlers arrived from Lebanon and Syria around 1200 years ago.  They have strived to remain separate from the problems between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and have been allowed to stay within the village as well as having access across to the south for business and educational purposes since 1974.

It would seem that nowadays however, some homes are just used as weekend retreats by some families who prefer to live in the south of the island, and there are not many of the younger generation to be seen in the village; they prefer to seek employment and live in the south too.  The local residents of seem mainly to make their living from agriculture and animal farming, and do business both with the Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike.

In more recent years their dialect has also changed from the old Arabic dialect, and now if you visit this area you will hear mainly Greek and Turkish as well some English spoken.

The centre of Koruçam features a huge cathedral like Maronite church called Ayios Georgias which was built in 1940, and although it is grand it does not really have much in the way of architectural interest.  You will also find a small and pretty convent church built in the 15^th century which is located in the centre of the village.  You can ask for it to be opened if there is anyone around to assist you, and inside you will find a tidy if a little weary interior which features an alter and Virgin Mary statue.

Located on the coast is an area known as Cape Koruçam or Koruçam Burnu.  This area was once occupied by the military but they have now departed, and the public can enjoy walking out to the rocky point which is home to various plants and wildlife.

Koruçam is definitely worth a visit, and with the journey time it would also be worth stopping for lunch at one of the local restaurants such as the Yorgo Restaurant, a busy place full of locals and visitors alike, which is opposite the Ayios Georgias church.  Try their set menu which offers a range of tasty mezes and their speciality, Kleftiko!

As North Cyprus is predominantly a Muslim population, there are certain religious holidays that are observed, such as Ramazan or Ramadan.  This is a month of fasting followed by celebrations described for Christian understanding as the Muslim equivalent of Christmas.  There are also dates in the calendar that pay tribute to landmark historical events such as the TRNC’s declaration of independence.

If you’re thinking of travelling to North Cyprus at any time, it is well worth checking the dates to make sure that you won’t be caught out, as all government offices and banks will be sure to be closed for the duration of any bayram!

Below is a list of the main bayram holiday dates which are observed in North Cyprus, although we haven’t included New Year as the date and significance of this event are pretty obvious!

April 23 – Turkish National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
This is a Turkish bayram that is also observed by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.  It is to celebrate the establishment of the Grand National Assembly in Turkey in 1920 which then formed the foundations for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s modern republic of Turkey.  The reference to children in the celebrations is to emphasise how important children were for the future of this new republic.

May 1 – Labour Day
Labour Day, also known as May Day, is also celebrated with the rest of Europe, and recognises the efforts of the labour union movement.  However, here in North Cyprus it is sometimes a movable date!

May 19 – Atatürk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day
This is another Turkish bayram noted in North Cyprus, this one is to commemorate the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence and the liberation of Anatolia and Istanbul by Atatürk.  Ceremonies are held all over Turkey and North Cyprus with the main focal point being military and civilian officials attending a ceremony at Anitkabir, which is the location of Atatürk’s mausoleum in Ankara.

July 20 – Turkish Intervention (Peace and Freedom Day)
This is a very significant date for Turkish Cypriots, coming five days after the failed coup by Greece to overthrow Archbishop Markarios, aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece.  Turkey intervened to protect Turkish Cypriots, and on 20^th July, now known as the Turkish Peace Operation, Turkish forces arrived in the north of the island, successfully preventing any further bloodshed.  Peace & Freedom day is celebrated by everyone, with dignitaries coming from Turkey to attend the festivities.  You can also enjoy the air force jet plane display which happens every year at the old harbour, which never fails to impress.

August 1 – Establishment date of T.M.T (Social Resistance Day)
The TMT (Turk Mukavement Teskilati or Turkish Resistance Organization) was formed in 1958 and was active until around 1974, and was formed in response to the Greek Cypriot organisation EOKA (Ethnikí Orgánosis Kypríon Agonistós or National Organization of Cypriot Fighters), whose sole aim was to achieve ENOSIS (meaning union) of Cyprus with Greece, at the same time striving to get away from British rule.

August 30 – Zafer Bayram (Victory Day)
Another Turkish bayram but an extremely important one.  Atatürk’s forces, in a huge offensive that lasted only four days, liberated Turkey from the invading Greeks.  Zafer Bayram is marked with top military officials, the president, and cadets laying wreaths at Atatürk’s mausoleum in Ankara.

October 29 – Turkish Republic Day
One more Turkish bayram and this is to commemorate the declaration of an independent Republic of Turkey in 1923, the culmination of the War of Independence and the victory of Turkish troops on 30^th August.

November 15 – Republic Day of T. R. N. C.
This is quite an emotional bayram for some, as this was when The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was established on 15 November 1983.  Sadly as an independent state it was and still is only recognised by Turkey.  A new constitution was drafted and adopted two years later, in 1985.

Some bayrams are based on the Islamic lunar calendar, and therefore are more migratory each year, they include the following:

Şeker Bayram or Ramazan Bayram
Ramazan (Ramadan) is a month of fasting for many Muslims and at the end of this there is Şeker Bayram (Sugar or Sweet Bayram).  Generally in North Cyprus fasting is entirely dependent on the individual or family and is not practised by everyone, but the bayram holiday is celebrated by all, usually lasting four days depending on when the date falls.  There are lots of festivities, with artists and pop stars coming from Turkey to entertain at the larger hotels.  People gather and visit friends and family, handing out sweets and presents.  The older members of the family and society are very much respected at this time, and tradition dictates that their hands are held and kissed with the hand then being raised to the holder’s forehead.  It is also a time for reflection and is an important time for the more devout Muslims who will also attend the mosque and visit the graves of friends and relatives.

Ramazan Bayram in 2009 will fall on the 19^th – 22^nd of September and in 2010 it will fall between the 8^th -11^th of September.

Kurban Bayram (Feast of the Sacrifice)
This Muslim bayram happens two months after the Şeker/Ramazan Bayram, and also takes place over four days.  It is practised by the worldwide Muslim community.  It is not so widely practised in North Cyprus, but it is to commemorate the sacrifice of Ishmael by Abraham.  Tradition dictates the slaughter of animals such as sheep and cows, with meat being given to poorer neighbours and relations.  Again it is a time for reflection, visiting family graves, and also abstaining from alcohol.

Kurban Bayram 2009 will fall on the 27^th to the 30^th November and in 2010 it will be between the 16^th and 19^th of November.

Muslim

Islam in Cypruswas introduced when Uthmanthe 3rd Caliphconquered Cyprus in 649.  Turkish Muslims then settled in Cyprus during the Ottoman rule between 1571 and 1878.  The Ottoman Empire gave land grants to its soldiers under the condition that they and their families would stay there permanently. During the 17th century the Turkish population grew rapidly, and it is now the main religion practised in North Cyprus.  You can hear the call to prayer five times a day from most places on the island, but the faith is not practised to such an extent that women cover themselves, nor do people abstain from alcohol in North Cyprus!

Maronite Cypriots

The Maronite community is based in the very north-east of the island in Kormacit/Koruçam, the people are of Christian origin, descended from those who came to North Cyprus from Lebanon and Syria around 1200 years ago.  They speak in an Arabic dialect, although many Turkish and Greek words are used.  The Maronites belong to the Greek Cypriot community to which, owing to similar religious, linguistic and cultural bonds, they are much closer.  They have a Maronite Archbishop who is elected by the Holy Synod of the Maronite Church in Lebanon and confirmed by His Holiness the Pope.

Anglican

There are a large number of Church of England protestant expats and foreigners who attend the Anglican churches in North Cyprus.  There is the St. Andrews Church in Kyrenia which holds services on Sundays and Thursdays, and St. Marks which has services on a Sunday both at the Boğaz Hotel and also St Georges Chapel in Famagusta.

Roman Catholic

There are also people who practise the Roman Catholic faith in North Cyprus, and mass is held at noon at the St Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church in Kyrenia near to the Dome Hotel every Sunday.

Bahá’i

This religion is based upon the spiritual and is an independent religion practised worldwide.  Its principles are to bring about the oneness of humanity, and that due to there only being one Creator, the spiritual truth of all religions is the same.  There is a small group based in North Cyprus which practises this faith.

There are also smaller religious and ethnic groups, such as the Armenian Cypriots who first arrived on the island in around 1915, and also the Latin Cypriots who practise Catholicism as well as Romany Gypsies who are reported to have arrived in Cyprus at the time of the Lusignans.