ANCIENT GRAVEYARD OF GIRNE (BALDOKEN GRAVEYARD): When Ottomans conquered Cyprus in 1571, the land, today known as "Islam Graveyard" outside from the castle of Girne , was reserved as "Cem etery for soldiers" in the first years of the Ottoman era. It was used for the same purpose until the end of 17th century. Cistern, water canals and architectural tombs were built in it. When the cemetery for soldiers began to accept non-soldiers, the name was changed to Islam Graveyard. This is known also as "Graveyard of Forlorn". St Andrew British Church, District Club and Tennis Court were built beside this graveyard. Until recent years, this graveyard was known as Baldoken Graveyard. It was restored by the Foundations Office in 1995.
ANTIPHONITIS CHURCH : It's known that this church was used to be seed of an important monastery. Its dome is placed on eight round columns which form an irregular octagon. The part called as bema and the rest of the church were tried to be separated by keeping two of the columns separated from the walls. Considering its features this building is one of the finest of its kind in Cyprus which remained till today. The artex part with barrel vaults on the west and the cloister arrangements on the south were added in 14th or 15th centuries. The cloister arrangement on the south is a unique example of gothic stone work. However, nothing left behind from the wooden upper-cover and the stone parapet made between the columns.
BELLAPAIS ABBEY: The present day name is the corrupt form of the Abbaye de la Paix' or the Abbey of Peace. The building is regarded as a masterpiece of Gothic art, and the most beautiful Gothic building in the Near East . The first monks who were known to have settled here were Augustinians who had to flee from Jerusalem when the city fell to Selahaddin Eyyubi in 1187. It is known that the original construction was built between 1198-1205, and a large part of the present day complex was constructed during the rule of French King Hugh III (1267-1284). The cloisters and the refectory were built during the reign of Hugh IV (1324-1359). Following the Ottoman conquest the monks were turned out and the building was given to the Greek Orthodox Church. The monastery begins with a gate, whose tower is a later addition, and a forecourt. The church which is situated on one side of the courtyard is the best preserved part of the monument and dates from the 13th century.
SAINT HILARION CASTLE: The castle is named after St. Hilarion, a hermit monk who fled from persecution in the Holy Land and lived and died in a cave on the mountain. Later i n the 10th century the Byzantines built a church and monastery here. Along with Kantara and Buffavento, St. Hilarion Castle was originally built as a watch tower to give warning of approaching Arab pirates who launched a continuous series of raids on Cyprus and the coasts of Anatolia from the 7th to the 10th centuries. Some 400 years after it was first built, the castle became a place of refuge and also a summer residence for the Lusignans. When the Venetians captured Cyprus 1489, they relied on Kyrenia, Nicosia and Famagusta for the defense of the island and St. Hilarion was neglected and fell into oblivion. The castle consisted of three wards on different altitudes, each with its cisterns and storage rooms. The first and lowest of these was used to accommodate the garrison and horses. It began with a barbican and its main gate and other walls, which are reinforced by horseshoe-shaped towers, were built originally by the Byzantines in the 11th century. The ruins of the stables where the animals were kept and the water cisterns an invaluable water source during the long medieval sieges- have survived to the present day.
THE CASTLE OF GIRNE (KYRENIA): The castle of Girne , one of the most impressive and powered castles to have survived since the middle ages until today, was supposed to be built to protect the city from pirates in the 7th century. The remnants left from the Roman age show that the history of Girne castle harks back to older times. Written findings mention the Girne castle, and that the King Richard III of England had captured the island during the Crusades in 1911. It is known that the castle of Girne had been subjected to changes during the sovereignty term of French Luzinyen lasting for 300 years. The castle was heavily demolished by the attack of Genovese' in 1373. The Venetians rebuilt the castle in order to gain protection from the Ottoman fires. New city walls and round towers were added during this term. When the castle was finished, the church of Saint George that was used by Knights Templar and was supposedly built in 1100, was within the city walls.
THE CHURCH OF ARKHANGELOS ( ICON MUSEUM ): Arkhangelos Church , down in the historical yacht port,was built in 1860 and worth seeing. The tower that was added after the church was built is a sign point that can be seen from every part of Girne. Here is a museum that shows the many splendid icons that were collected from Girne and its environs.
THE KYRENIA MUSEUM OF FOLK ART: The Kyrenia Museum of Folk Art situated on the Kyrenia Harbour road and was opened in 1974. It is a fine example of pre XVII. century buildings which have traditionally housed Cypriots. These buildings consisting of a ground floor and a upper floor have their main entrances opening to the harbour. These typical Cypriot houses contain many traditional Cypriot items. On the ground floor, there are items such as oil-mill, plough, agricultural instruments, large earthenware fan, and workbench which were used until recently but are not known by the younger generation. There is a room for a watchman on the stairway leading to the upper floor. The first room of the upper floor there are examples of especially chosen works and handy works (crochet work, materials embroidered with colorful, threads or silver threads, bedspreads, tables covers, head scarves, pillow cases, woollen socks, bowls etc..) from various areas of Cyprus , displayed in glass cabinets. The second room used as a kitchen contain water jugs, wooden mortars, wine bowls, ceramic bowls. There is a corner in the third and largest room which was used as a resting place. In the middle of the room, a wooden bed, a wooden cupboard, a cabinet containing various women's and men's clothes, raised wooden shelves with seramic and metal cups displayed upon them. The third largest room has been arranged in this way. It is possible to see, clothes, chests, tables, chair, wall cupboards, doors and windows, in all parts of the museum.
THE MUSEUM OF PUBLIC ARTS : Within the historical yacht port of Girne , the house of the 18th century now serves as museum. Olive oil presses, primitive ploughs, cubes, a wooden threshing sled, agricultural tools, a loom for weaving, pulley wheels are exhibited in this museum. At the upstairs through wooden stairs from entrance hall, the ancient garments, table cloths, head scarfs, woollen socks, wedding dresses, carved trousseau chests, silver embroidery bed covers, cushions, bedsteads, wooden boards and window roll-down shutters are also exhibited.
THE MUSEUM OF SUNK SHIP : The sunk ship exhibited in the castle of Girne was built in 389 BC and was 80 years old. About 400 pieces Anphoras,29 basalt millstones, about 9000 pieces of almond were found in this sunk ship that was thought to be a cargo ship during Hellenistic ages after the death of Alexander. About 300 pieces of lead shows the ship was used for fishing. This sunk ship is about 1.5 km near Gime, at depth of 18 m and found by sponge fisherman in 1965. It was taken out of water by the experts of Pennsylvania University .
It is 15 m in length, made of Aleppo pine. The wooden surface of the ship is coated with a lacquer, to protect against Mediterranean wood-boring maggot. The kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, olive bottle, glasses,saltcellars show the ship's crew was only four persons.
Nicosia :
The Great Inn (Buyukhan): Its construction was ordered by the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus , Muzaffer Pasha, in 1572. Its architecture resembles courtyard other inns of its period in Anatolia . Around he inner courtyard of the stone inn are 68 rooms, and 10 shops The inn after years of restoration, was re-open to visitors in 2002.
Selimiye Mosque (St.Sophia Cathedral): Constructed by the Lusignans between 1208 and 1326 Selimiyle is accepted to be the most important example of Gothic architecture in Cyprus . The monumental main door and gothic art. After the Ottomans conquered Nicosia in 1570, a transformed into Hagia Sophia Mosque, this was renamed in 1954 as Sellimye Mosque.
Covered Bazaar: The covered bazaar 'Bandabulya' was the main marketplace of the city during Ottoman times, and the historic bazaar still is a superb local market for fresh vegetables and meat, as well as Turkish Delights and souvenirs.
Famagusta (Gazimagusa):
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (St. Nicholas Cathedral): The cathedral in Namil Kemal Square , built by the Lusignans between 1298 and 1312, is a stunning example of gothic architecture. Lusignan Kings of Cyprus were crowned in this cathedral. During Ottoman rule, the cathedral was transformed into a mosque without any changes to its originality.
Salamis Ruins: The spectacular ruins are 8 Kilometres north of Famagusta . The ancient city of Salamis was constructed by tribes who moved to Cyprus from Anatolia and Greece towards the end of the Bronze Age. The first king to rule in 560 BC, Salamis , which developed into the capital of Cyprus in the centuries to come, is severely damaged during the earthquakes of 76 and 77 AD. Constantine rebuilds the city in the 5 th century AD, and the city regains the title of 'capital city' once again. However, after the Arab raids and more earthquakes in the 8 th century AD, the city is completely deserted. The breathtakingly beautiful ruins of the walls, the port, the gymnasium, the theatre, the Roman baths and villa, the forum, St.Epophanius Basilica, the Agora and the Olympia Zeus chapel. Othello Castle : It was built in 1496 by the Venetian sergeant Nicol Prioli. It has a secure entry of a wooden door dating back to the Ottomans and iron bars dating back to the Venetians. Above the entrance, on a block of marble brought from Salamis , are the Lion of St. Mark,Prioli's name, his coat of arms and the date 1496. On the right side of the entrance there are two marble lion statues, one bigger than the other. The legend suggests that one night the bigger lion will open its mouth, and the person who catches this moment and puts his/her hand into the lion's mouth will obtain an enormous fortune.
Karpaz:
Ayos Philon Church : Ayios Phion church, built in the 5 th century BC, is the sole remnant of the ancient Phoenician city of Karpasia which used to be a marketplace between Salamis and Anatolia .
Apostolos Andreas Monastery: The monastery is found at the very tip of the Karpaz Peninsula , on Cape Zafer . Apostolos Andreas, who originally was a follower of John the Baptist, was called for by Jesus Christ to spread Christianity. As he was the first man who was called for to become a priest, he also received the title of 'O Protoklidos' which means 'the first one to have been called'. His monastery is accepted to be 'sacred' by both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
Kantara Castle : One of the three castles on Besparmak Mountain Range, Kantara Castle stands 2068 feet above sea level. Kantara Castle , like Buffavento Castle and St. Hilarion Castle, is thought to have been built for protection against Arabs raids. The castle was at the peak of its popularity during Lusignan and Venetian periods.
Saint Hilarion Castle: The castle is thought to be named after a saint who escaped Jerusalem after the Arab conquest and moved to Cyprus , where he lived and died in a cave on top of the mountains. Later, in the 10th century, a church and a monastery were built at the site. During the Lusignan period, with additions, the monastery was turned into a castle, used both for military and residential purposes.
Güzelyurt:
Situated in the northwest of Cyprus is one of the richest agricultural areas in Cyprus , famous particularly for Citrus ( Orange , Lemon, and Grapefruit)
St. Mamas Church and Icon Museum : The church in the monastery was originally a Byzantine building; however it has been re-constructed various times. The contents its dominant Gothic style in the middle Ages. The contents of the church such as the east of St.Mamas and detailed carved stone window of the west wall have survived to our day.
Soli Ruins: The city had been constructed as result of the Athenian statesman Solon's suggestion of building a city near the river Ksero during his visit to the Philokypros, King of Aepia, and thus the city has been named 'Soli', after Solon. After the Persian conquest of Soli, the pro-Persian King of Marion had the Vouni Place constructed 5 miles west of the city, in order to keep it under control. During the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, the city enlarged towards the sea and acquired an important position. However, during the Arab attacks of 647-648, the city was damaged and deserted. The theatre, basilica and the agora of the city, which date back to the 6th century BC, can still be visited.
Vuni Ruins and Palace: The residence was constructed on a hill an altitude of 250 meters. Its eastern architectural details shows that the palace was constructed under Persian rule. The city has three terraces on the slope from the top of the hill towards the sea. On the first terrace on the top of the hill is the Athena Temple with its statues. On the second terrace are the religious structures encircling the palace. The palace is thought to have had 137 rooms. On the third terrace, closest to the sea, are the stone houses of the people of Vouni.
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