North Cyprus History

26 October, 2009
Buffavento Castle

Buffavento Castle

 As the name implies, this castle is buffeted by the winds, and standing at 3,100 feet it is the highest and most inaccessible of the three castles. To get there, take the turning that is signposted at the top of […]
3 December, 2009
Vouni Palace

Vouni

The oriental style cliff-top palace of Vouni was built during Persian dominance by a pro-Persian king of Marion. The strategic position enabled the inhabitants to look down on the city of Soli and had advance warning if the Greek warriors […]
25 October, 2009

The Mevlevi Tekke (Whirling Dervish Museum)

The Mevlevi Tekke (Whirling Dervish Museum) | Nicosia Entering the city through the Girne Kapisi (Kyrenia Gate), the Mevlevi tekke museum is fifty metres on the left. A tekke is a religious base, and this 17th C building was the […]
22 November, 2009
Sourp Monastery

Sourp Magar Monastery

Access to this ruined monastery is from the same mountain road that leads from The Five Finger Mountain to Alevkaya. After driving for about 4 miles (6.5km) slow down and keep looking down into the valley below. The monastery buildings […]
30 November, 2009
Kyrenia Harbour

Old Kyrenia and the Venetian Harbour

Kyrenia, with its picturesque harbour and adjacent castle is called the “Jewel of Cyprus”. It is, quite simply, exquisite! The town was probably founded circa tenth century BC and was one of the original city kingdoms. Its position on the […]
24 November, 2009
evil eye

Legends – The Nazar – Evil Eye

The Nazar, also called the “Evil Eye” Used by many religions and cultures throughout the world, and a potent symbol against evil from pagan times, is the Nazar. It is used in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and has […]
25 October, 2009

Iskele

Formerly called Trikomo, this village is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots from the Turkish quarter of Larnaca. Iskele means jetty and when the Turkish Cypriots moved north after partition, they brought the name of their district with them. The village is […]
25 October, 2009

Panayia Kanakaria

The route to the monastery church of the Panayia Kanakaria is easy. From the main road after Kumyali look for the signs and following the directions to Ziyamet, Gelincik and Kaleburnu. After about two miles the church complex is on […]
25 October, 2009

The Twin Churches of the Templars and Hospitallers

The Twin Churches of the Templars and Hospitallers | Famagusta Close to the main square are the two 14th C churches that have undergone several periods of refurbishment yet for the most part stay resolutely closed. The interiors have little […]
25 October, 2009

Zafer Burnu

Zafer Burnu | Karpaz Continue along the track that goes through the monastery complex and the far end of the island is only a few minutes drive away. The breeze that never fails to cool, even on the hottest day, […]