HISTORICAL NICOSIA IN NORTH CYPRUS

Lefkosa was first known as Ledra and later as Lefkotigona. During Byzantine times it was called Lefkon and finally it became Lefkosa.

Founded in central Cyprus, at Kanlidere, Nicosia has the dubious privilege of being the last divided capital city, - as the capital of born the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the capital of the Greek Cypriot Administration. It is the centre of government, accommodating state departments, diplomats, lawyers and bureaucrats, and if we include the Greek Cypriot section it has a population of 150,000.

The King of Cyprus, his deputies, princes and aristocrats, barons and knights used to live here, spending their time in sport, throwing lances and hunting. The city has hosted many cultures.

During the 300-year rule of the French Lusignans, many cathedrals, churches, monasteries, palaces, mansions and bridges were built. In Venetian times much that had been created by the Lusignans was damaged and the stones from demolished buildings were used later to build the city walls as protection against the Ottomans. The city walls extend to 3.5 miles around the old city.

The Ottomans made a huge contribution to the development of Nicosia, establishing it as a centre of commerce and crafts. They converted the churches into mosques, and those that weren't converted were used as inns or public baths. The Ottomans encouraged population transfers from Anatolia to enliven the island and increase its population.

Ottoman Sultan Selim II ordered that the settlers had to be artists or craftsmen - preferably shoemakers, tailors, weavers, silk manufacturers, cooks, chandlers, saddle makers, blacksmiths, grocer’s carpenters and goldsmiths. That is why most inns were built with workshops. Even today, Nicosia is a city where one can journey into history in its historic inns and museums, where one can appreciate the subtle blend of history and culture. There are numerous historic buildings in Nicosia that deserve to be visited.

Dervish Pasha Mansion: The most famous of the Nicosia mansions is the Dervish Pasha Mansion constructed in the 19th century by the Ottomans. Having very attractive and elegant architecture, this mansion now serves as an ethnography museum. Mevlevi Lodge: Another unprecedented work of art in Cyprus is the Mevlevi Lodge. Located near one of the three gates of Nicosia, this lodge was constructed by Mevlevi dervishes in the 17th century. Later, the lodge was protected in order to prevent the removal and destruction of Turkish works of art from Cyprus and it came to serve as the North Cyprus Turkish Ethnography Museum.

Selimiye Mosque: Built in the Lusignan period between 1208 and 1326 AD, this cathedral was the place kings were crowned during the Latin Kings period. Damaged by the Genoese raids in 1373 and then by earthquakes, the structure was restored by the Ottomans. The Buyuk Han: The Buyuk Han was constructed by Muzaffer Pasha, an Ottoman Pasha and the first Turkish governor of Cyprus. Merchants from Anatolia and local tradesmen used to stay in this building. Its architecture is worthy of note and the inn includes sixty-eight rooms on two floors. After being disused for a long time, the Great Inn has recently been skilfully and extensively restored and now it is a very attractive centre of culture and art with small associated shops.

The Grand Public Bath: This public bath from the Ottoman period was built utilizing the front wall of the St. George Church. Today, only the engraved door of the church remains. Including sections such as the Frigidaire, caldarium, dressing room and halved, the bath continues to serve its function.