North Cyprus History

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

Ataturk Square

Ataturk Square | Nicosia Continuing along Girne Caddesi, it is a five minute walk to Ataturk Square, formerly Konak Square, dominated by the granite column that is topped with a bronze sphere. This column was a symbol of Venetian rule […]
25 October, 2009

Djamboulat Bastion

This bastion is adjacent to the modern entrance to the harbour, it is named after the Commander of the Ottoman forces who succeeded in effecting a successful entry into the city by riding his horse into the whirling wheel that […]
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 […]
25 October, 2009

Ayias Trias, Sipahi

Ayia Trias Basilica Mosaics Look for the signs in the village that are directions for Sipahi and follow the road to the site of Ayias Trias. It is encircled by a wire fence and there should be a custodian to […]
22 November, 2009
Kantara Castle

The Mountain Castles

North Cyprus is blessed with three castles built high upon the ridge of the Kyrenia mountains, each has something different to offer, and two of them involve steep climbs. St. Hilarion, high above Kyrenia, and Buffavento, some six miles east […]
25 October, 2009

Lusignan Round Tower

Lusignan Round Tower | Kyrenia Old Kyrenia was surrounded by walls with fortified towers. The best preserved of these is the only complete tower known as The Round Tower. It is on the right of the high street heading westwards […]
25 October, 2009

Bellapais Village

Bellapais Village | Kyrenia Bellapais village grew up around the abbey after which it is named. Nestled in the lower slopes of the mountain range directly above the village of Ozankoy, to the east of Kyrenia, it was until 1974 […]
25 October, 2009

Independence to the Present Day

North Cyprus If it is possible to put aside the volumes of propaganda that have been written about what is now known generally as “The Cyprus Problem”, and look at the situation from an historical viewpoint rather than an hysterical […]
25 October, 2009

Church of Chrysopolitissa

This old church is now almost a total ruin, but it is the only church in Kyrenia of any historical interest. It is to be found in the narrow back street immediately behind the harbour almost opposite the rear entrance […]