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    Tourist Attractions in Nicosia

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Nicosia. Photos and a brief description.

    Nicosia
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    About Nicosia

    The capital of Cyprus is divided by a conditional buffer zone and belongs to two states. On the one hand — the Republic of Cyprus, where mainly ethical Greeks live, on the other — Northern Cyprus, inhabited mostly by Turks. Ancient history and the fusion of two cultures have created the current image of Nicosia.
    The architecture of the city was formed during the era of Ottoman rule. Then some Christian churches became mosques, and defensive structures, like the Venetian fortress walls, lost their former functions. To see the local flavor and contrast, it is worth going to the pedestrian street called Ledra. And the history of the island is reflected in museum collections. It took time for Nicosia to return its valuables taken to the mainland, but now they are in their rightful place and are available for inspection by tourists.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Nicosia

    Archbishop's Palace

    The religious center of the Orthodox part of Cyprus. It was built several years before 1960 and was intended as a residence for the local higher clergy. Most of the palace is closed for inspection. However, several museum collections and a library are now located on its territory, so you can be in close proximity. In front of the entrance there is a monument in honor of Archbishop Makarios III.

    Archbishop's Palace

    Ledra Street

    The main shopping street of the island. The length is a little more than a kilometer. Its peculiarity lies in belonging to the territory of two states at once: the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The name of Ledra is a reference to the ancient city that was located here earlier. The street is pedestrian, on it, among the past, there is a headquarters of peacekeepers who monitor order in the buffer zone.

    Shacolas Tower Observation Deck

    Located at the top of the shopping and business center. Shacolas Tower is the tallest building in the Old City and the third in Nicosia. It was built in 1990, and two decades later it was reconstructed. The name is derived from the surname of the owner – a local billionaire. Access to the observation deck is open every day. There is an observatory museum nearby, which allows you to learn more about the city.

    Shacolas Tower Observation Deck
    Buyuk Khan (North Nicosia)

    Buyuk Khan (North Nicosia)

    The caravanserai was built in 1572. It resembles a small fortress and in the past served as an inn. 4 buildings of two floors each are connected in a square. The educated courtyard has its own mosque and a pool for ablutions. Since the second half of the XIX century, Buyuk Khan has consistently been a prison, a shelter for the homeless and a museum. Now cafes, shops and a shadow theater are based here.

    Selimiye Mosque (North Nicosia)

    The Islamic religious site used to be the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sophia. It was laid in the first years of the XIII century, and transformed into a mosque in 1570. Two minarets were built nearby, all the decorations typical for temples were taken out of the premises, the tombstones were covered with carpets. The name was received in honor of one of the Ottoman rulers. It was under the leadership of Selim II that the Turks captured the island.

    Selimiye Mosque (North Nicosia)
    A. G. Leventis Gallery

    A. G. Leventis Gallery

    The first owner, after whom the gallery is named, conceived the project half a century ago. The Leventis Foundation was able to fully implement the initiative. Paintings, furniture and art objects are displayed in the halls of the gallery. They cover 400 years of European history. The exposition is divided into 3 collections: Parisian, Greek and Cypriot. The gallery is closed for prevention on Thursdays.

    Leventis Municipal Museum

    It has been working since 1989. The Laventis Foundation bought the abandoned building and restored it. Exhibits telling the history of the city and the whole of Cyprus began to be collected in spacious halls. Already in our century, the collection has grown so much that additional areas have been allocated for its needs. Among the exhibits: books, clothes, weapons, household items, jewelry. The oldest object of the museum is dated to the IV millennium BC.

    Leventis Municipal Museum
    Cyprus Archaeological Museum

    Cyprus Archaeological Museum

    The oldest and largest museum on the island. It was founded in 1882 to prevent illegal excavations and looting of historical sites. Up to this point, the finds were sent to European museums. The collection received its own building in 1908. It is located there to this day. The main income to the funds fell on the period up to 1931. Now the exhibitions are distributed in 14 halls.

    The Byzantine Museum

    It was opened under the patronage of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation in 1982. At that time, the meeting was modest and occupied only a small hall. Subsequently, the authorities carried out an impressive work to return the valuables taken to the mainland. The museum grew and acquired its current scale. Of particular importance is the collection of 230 icons. Among them there are samples dated to the "golden age" of Byzantine iconography.

    The Byzantine Museum
    Classic Motorcycle Museum

    Classic Motorcycle Museum

    It is based on a private collection. Andreas Nicolau opened wide public access to his collection in the 90s of the last century. The exposition consists of more than 150 motorcycle models. They are dated to the period of issue from 1914 to 1983. Each instance has its own history. The museum has a small cinema hall where they play tapes about motorcycles. There is a theme shop and a cafe nearby.

    Cyprus Car Museum (North Nicosia)

    The only auto museum in Cyprus opened in 2014. It is based on the collection of Dimi Mavropoulos, a rally champion. The territory of more than 1000 m2 is filled with collectible cars in perfect condition. A London double–decker bus, a retro ambulance, an armored Cadillac - what is not here. New cars are constantly appearing, and some are being put up for sale.

    Cyprus Car Museum (North Nicosia)
    The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios

    The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios

    The first owner was a tax collector and one of the wealthiest residents of the city. By his order, the mansion was built at the end of the XVIII century. Kornesios was executed, and his relatives placed the house at the disposal of Nicosia. Currently, the building houses a museum. The collection tells about the traditions and existence of the times of the rule of the Ottoman Empire on the island. Its peculiarity is the Turkish baths that are still operating.

    Church of the Theotokos Phaneromeni

    One of the largest Orthodox churches on the island. The exact date of construction is unknown, but the church appeared during the reign of the Lusignan dynasty. In the past, it was part of a convent. It has been updated many times in its history, and the current appearance is far from the initial one. The main value of the temple is the carved iconostasis, created in 1659. It depicts scenes from the Old Testament.

    Church of the Theotokos Phaneromeni
    Church of the Archangel Michael Tripiotis

    Church of the Archangel Michael Tripiotis

    The foundation was laid in 1695. The construction was completed in record time in a few months. The decoration of the facade is not typical for religious objects: bas-reliefs depict sea monsters, mermaids and lions. The most valuable icon was painted in the XV century. The iconostasis was made in 1812. It is decorated with fine carvings and gilding. The interior is distinguished by splendor and wealth.

    Cathedral of St. John the Theologian

    It has been located in the old town since the XVII century. The temple belonged to the Benedictine Order. Now only a small building next to the ethnographic exposition reminds of this. The modest appearance of the cathedral is explained by the period of construction: then the Ottomans ruled on the island. But the interior design is bright: the walls and vaults are covered with frescoes. Local shrines are revered by both Orthodox and Catholics.

    Cathedral of St. John the Theologian
    Venetian fortress walls

    Venetian fortress walls

    Military engineers from Italy began to remake the old city fortifications in 1567. Among other things, they left the riverbed in the outer radius. This removed the threat of flooding and created an additional barrier for the enemy. The walls turned out to be impressive, but the project could not be completed: the Ottomans took the city earlier. The perimeter is surrounded by 11 bastions. The length of the walls is about 5 km .

    Famagusta Gate

    In the XVI century, the territory of Nicosia could be accessed through one of the three gates. The largest of them is the Famagusta Gate. Initially, they were named after the architect Giulio, but the name was not fixed. After the capture of the city by the Ottomans, Christians, including merchants, had the right to pass through the gates only on foot. The building is well preserved. A cultural center has been opened in the building attached to it.

    Famagusta Gate

    Kyrenia Gate (North Nicosia)

    Another passage to the old town. The construction was completed in 1562. The project was created based on the notes of Marco Polo and is a smaller copy of the gate in Beijing. Although they were called "governor's", they were used mostly by peasants and merchants. The landmark has not been completely preserved: only the arch and the guard room have passed through the centuries. A panoramic view of the surrounding area opens from the upper platform.

    Monument of Freedom

    It was opened in 1973 and is dedicated to an organization called EOKA. The installation of the monument split society. Some consider the activities of the EOKA terrorist, others – liberation. The sculptural composition shows the scene of the release of Cypriots from an English prison. Among the former prisoners, people of different ages and occupations are depicted, including young partisans and priests. There are flower beds nearby.

    Monument of Freedom
    Thalassa National Park

    Thalassa National Park

    A hundred years ago, the land where the national park is now located was considered infertile. In 1962, the territory was taken up closely, with the goal of creating a green zone here. The newly appeared forest and thickets of shrubs were not ennobled until recently. Now there are walking areas, drinking water taps, sports grounds, picnic areas in the park. Hiking trails have been developed to get around the entire park at a time.