NICOSIA (LEFKOSA)

LEFKOSHA – OR NICOSIA – IS MANY FASCINATING CITES JUMBLED TOGETHER -SEVERAL CENTURIES SIDE-BY-SIDE AND EVEN ON TOP OF ONE Another. THEN ADD THE ODD EARTHQUAKE JUST TO MIX IT ALL UP A LITTLE MORE.

Once the capital of the Lusingnan kings who built Gothic palaces, churches and gardens, Lefkosa has been rebuilt and remodelled many times. As the times changed, archbishops palaces became offices, cathedrals transformed into mosques and churches became public baths.

The result is an intriguing city with many glimpses of the medieval Turkish town amid the winding streets within the fine walls and arches. Being inland, many original features of Lefkosa missed being demolished by whichever rampant conqueror happened to be floating past at the time.

The fine Buyuk Han - the Great Inn - is a 16th century watering hole as is, quite literally, the hamam - an ancient Turkish baths nearby. Elsewhere, admire the enduring, if not endearing, gargoyles of arched Bedestan and the gloriously gothic architecture of Selmiye Mosque
(St Sophia Cathedral).

The British architectural influence is seen in the colonial buildings of Ataturk Square.
The six domes of Mevlevi Tekke mark the17th Century monastery of the Whirling Dervishes. This fascinating building, now a museum, housed the sect whose chief religious celebration was an ecstatic reeling dance - the word dervish translates from dervish, meaning humble.
If you're shopping for traditional North Cypriot crafts the Belediye Pazar is highly recommended. This bustling indoor market is where the locals shop and is situated close to the Selimiye Mosque.
 

THINGS TO SEE AND DO...
• LEFKOSA IS THE PLACE TO BUY YOUR TURKISH
DELIGHT. HERE YOU WILL FIND GREAT CHUNKS OF
AROMATIC ‘LOKUM’ OF EVERY POSSIBLE FLAVOUR.
TRY THE PISTACHIO NUT VARIETY!
• LOCALLY MADE JEWELLERY IS EXQUISITE AND
AVAILABLE IN LARGER BOUTIQUES AND
SPECIALIST JEWELLERS
• VISIT CRAFTS SHOPS AND TRADITIONAL
RESTAURANTS IN BUYUK HAN
• TAKE A TURKISH BATH IN ONE OF THE
PUBLIC BATHS
• MARVELL AT THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE
SELIMIE MOSQUE
• VISIT THE MUSEUM AT MEVLEVI TEKKE
• VISIT BELEDIYE PAZAR