North Cyprus Buyers Guide - Lefkosa (Nicosia) and
City
|
Lefkosa
|
Lefkosa is the capital city of North Cyprus,  the center of the administrative district, and currently the only divided capital in the world, with the northern Turkish and southern Greek portions divided by a "Green line"; a border maintained by the United Nations and now a border to the EU.
|
| Top> Next> |
|
History
|
The name of the city dates back to approximately 2,250 years when it was known as Ledra or Ledrae. This name was changed soon to Lefkotheon but was also referred to as Ledr on. The name changed once again in the Byzantine era to Lefkon which means "popular grove". The city served as a seat of the kings of Cyprus from 1192, it remained the capital of Cyprus since the 17th century, except for a brief period starting from 1489 when it was taken over by Venetians. Cyprus was taken over by Turks in 1571 and Nicosia became Capital again. The city went through major development during the Venetian's rule as they built huge, thick ramparts around the city. Nicosia (Lefkosia) was fortified with imposing stone walls and massive gates.The walls are three and half miles long and have eleven towers and three gates. The famous Famagusta Gate still stands today, proudly protecting the still-ancient town within from the modern city outside.
|
| Top> Next> |
Tourist Sites
Selimiye Mosque (The St. Sophia Cathedral), Bedesten, Dervis Pasa Mansion, Nicosia City-Walls, Arap Ahmet Mosque, Gambler's Inn, Grand Bath, Great Inn, Haydarpasa Mosque (The St. Catherine Cathedral), Iplik Pazari Mosque, Kyrenia Gate, Lapidary Museum, Mevlevi Tekke Museum, Sarayonu Mosque, Sultan Mahmut Library, Turunclu Mosque, Venetian Column & Ataturk Square, Yenicami Mosque
|
| Top> |
|
|
