Cities and Places to Visit

Harbor, Kyrenia; Do not say Venice, Mykonos Turkey Do not say no. Girne is a place that looks like the unique beauty of the two. It also has very nice restaurants to watch the sunset with the people you love and to have your dinner. To give up camping lovers Kyrenia; It is so famous for its night life and has many historical buildings. This coastal city between the Beşparmak Mountains and the sea on the north coast hosts many tourists every year. The Pearl of Cyprus, Kyrenia Castle, Bellapais Monastery, Blue Pavilion, Girne Harbor are just a few of the places to be seen.

• Places to Visit in Kyrenia
• Kyrenia Castle
• Girne Yacht Harbor
• Bellapais Monastery
• St. Hilarion Castle
• Sunken Ship Museum
• Bufavento Castle
• Blue Pavilion

Kyrenia Castle

Girne Castle is a castle built by the Byzantines in the city of Kyrenia in Cyprus in the 7th century to protect the city against Arab-Islamic raids. While walking around the castle, it is possible to come across the traces of the Lusignans, a Byzantine, French-origin dynasty, Venice, Ottoman and British civilizations at the same time. In Girne Castle, which has hosted many civilizations, there are many different architectural works that will attract local and foreign visitors.

Kyrenia Yacht Harbor

Since the opening of Girne Tourism Port on November 16, 1987, it has been left to the use of yachts. Besides yachts, other recreational boats and regional fishermen also have the opportunity to stay. With its current status, accommodation is provided for about 100 boats. Although the needs of all boats are not met in the port, there are electricity, water, bathroom, toilet, laundry facilities. The harbor occupies an important place in its location due to its historical feature.

Bellapais Monastery

Bellapais Monastery is a historical monastery located in Beylerbeyi village of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It was built on the foundations built in the 12th century in the Roman period and the additions made in the middle ages are one of the eastern examples of the gothic architecture. The first building of the monastery, which carries architecturally Gothic art, was built between 1198 and 1205. The most solid structure of the monastery that has survived until today is the church. The monastery, which can be seen from almost anywhere in Kyrenia, attracts great attention of tourists. The monastery hosts classical music concerts and various music festivals from time to time.

St. Hilarion Castle

Saint Hilarion Castle, Sent Hilaryon castle, St. Hilaryon castle (St. Hilarion) is the westernmost area of ​​three castles built on the Beşparmak mountains. Although there is no definite information about the date of its construction, the name of the castle was first encountered in the records in the 1191s. St. Visiting hours of Hilarion Castle are between 09.00-16.30 in summer and between 09.00-16.00 in winter.

Sunken Ship Museum

It was first discovered in 1965 by a sponge hunter, three meters deep in the water, and this shipwreck was surfaced by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania between 1968-1969. The ship, which started to be exhibited in the museum located in Girne Castle on March 3, 1976, amazes the visitors. On the ship with about 400 wine amphoras, 9000 almonds and 29 millstones; 4 spoons, 4 salt shakers, 4 drinking glasses shouted that there were 4 people. While touring Kyrenia Castle, one of the sections with Lusian combatants is fascinated by the oldest shipwreck in the world. The Sunken Ship museum is visited by many local and foreign tourists during the year.

Bufavento Castle

Bufavento castle, one of the three castles in Cyprus, is located at the foot of the Kyrenia mountain. It is located at an altitude of 950 meters above sea level. Its construction date is not known exactly. Access to the castle is very difficult. Transportation to the castle is provided by stairs. Stairs can take an hour from time to time

Blue Pavilion

The Blue Pavilion was built in 1957 by Paulo Paolides, an Italian origin Greek. Mavi Köşk Cyprus fascinates its visitors with its mysterious structure. The blue pavilion is open on other days of the week except Mondays. You can visit the mansion between 09:00 and 17:00. Since the mansion is in the military zone, you need to take your identity with you when you go sightseeing.

It is possible to witness the traces of different civilizations at the same time. Nicosia is a residential area located in the middle of the island of Cyprus. Nicosia, which is the common capital of 2 countries, offers many university education, historical and entertainment areas to visit. Barbarians museum, Selimiye Mosque, Samanbahçe Houses are worth seeing. In addition, the feeling that you are delivering your soul from the heat in the summer season may overwhelm you a little, but cold water is a small step to change your mind, a big step for you to love Cyprus.

• Places to Visit in Nicosia
• The Great Inn
• Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia
• Venetian Column
• Kyrenia Gate

The Great Inn

Büyük Han was built by Muzaffer Pasha, the first Ottoman Governor of Cyprus, built in 1572. It is one of the biggest inns of Cyprus, not only of Nicosia. Since it is one of the two inns that can come from the Ottoman period, it has a very important place in its culture. Nowadays, Buyuk Han, which has attracted the attention of the visitors, makes home use of demon shops in any kind of antique, handicraft and other art environments specific to Cyprus, as well as a tourist center, there is an authentic Turkish coffee and a restaurant that offers distinguished and fresh examples of local cuisine.

Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia

Selimiye Mosque was started to be built in 1208 by the Latin Archbishop Eustorge de Montaigu and it is the largest mosque of Cyprus in medieval French architecture.

Venetian Column

Atatürk Square or Sarayönü is a square located in Nicosia. Venetian Column (Obelisk) in Atatürk Square was erected by Venetians in 1550 at a height of 6 m. He thinks he will bring from a temple in Salamis. There are badges of 6 Italian families at the bottom of the column.

Kyrenia Gate

Girne Gate is a gate located in the walls of Nicosia. It was built in 1567 and consists of three gates made of Venetians. There are 11 bastions and 3 gates, one of which can be counted as a fortress on these walls, which have a circumference of 3 miles in a circle. One of the three doors is the Kyrenia Gate, located next to Nicosia. Kyrenia Gate was one of the most important entry and exit points of the city.

The city of Cyprus, which has the only deep water port, is one of the most strengthened ports of the Mediterranean. Another feature of this city is that it is known for its golden beaches. Places to see and see in this city are diversified. This beautiful city, which has views that you can enjoy watching the sunset and sunrise in the morning, contains many historical riches and legends in the cultural sense. The abundance of historical castles, the long beach it can take, the azure sea, the air that will warm you all year round, it is a student city for students, it offers you a completely different joy in Famagusta.

• Places to Visit in Famagusta
• Salamis Ancient City
• Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque- St. Nicholas Cathedral
• St. Barnabas Monastery
• Namık Kemal Dungeon

Salamis Ancient City

The ancient city of Salamis is located on the banks of the Kanlıdere (Pedios) river, 6 km north of Famagusta. The earliest finds in Salamis BC It belongs to the 11th century. The city of Salamis, one of the most important ruins in Northern Cyprus, was partially exposed by excavations between 1952-1974. All of the building remains that can be seen in the ruins belong to the Roman Period. These structures are public buildings such as gymnasium, forum, agora and Turkish bath. Salamis Gymnasium, Salamis Theater, Ayia Epiphanios Bazilikas, Salamis Necropolis, Cellarga Mass Graves, Nikokreon Monument are located in Salamis Ancient City.

Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque- St. Nicholas Cathedral

It was built between 1298 and 1312 during the Lusignans period. It is one of the two largest mosques of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). It was opened as a cathedral in 1328 and was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire in 1571 to meet the needs of the region. It was named after Lala Mustafa Pasha, who was called the Conqueror of Cyprus.

St. Barnabas Monastery

The monastery was built in 477. In the largest museum of the region, it is possible to see various works belonging to a wide range of historical process from the Neolithic Period of Cyprus to the Roman Period. St. The Barnabas Monastery consists of a church, a courtyard, and rooms on three sides where priests once lived. There is an icon collection from the 18th century here. The basalt mill in the courtyard of the monastery was brought here from the Enkomi residential area, and columns and stones were brought here from Salamis.

Namık Kemal Dungeon

Namık Kemal Dungeon and Museum is a museum located in the district of Famagusta of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He wrote most of his works here. It is a stone-built building with a single window with iron bars, where Namık Kemal remained for 38 months when he was deported to Cyprus in 1873. On the second floor there is a room with two windows, there are documents related to Namık Kemal.

İskele District is one of the 5 districts of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Its area is 774 square kilometers. İskele District was connected to Famagusta District until 1998. With a law enacted in 2000, it gained district status together with Güzelyurt district. Iskele, where the fusion of the Famagusta-Karpaz Highway and the Ercan-Karpaz Highway, is a coastal strip where tourism meets the blue and green.
Iskele town is a region open to all kinds of development, with its tourism and small industrial facilities. Iskele Strait is one of the most popular sea beaches after Kyrenia with its many tourist facilities and fish restaurants.

• Places to Visit in İskele Area:
• Pier Beach Road
• Kantara Castle
• Panayia Thedokou Church (Pier Icon Museum)
• Ayios Yakavos Chapel Church (St. James Church)

Pier Beach Road

Iskele Beach Road, one of the busiest places of Iskele, is the center of attention of many tourists and locals. There are many activities to be done both day and night. During the day, you can walk, rent a bicycle or swim in the sea, and İskele Sahil Yolu, which has a large playground, is also the center of attention for families with children. At night, you can lie down on the grass under the moon views, wave sounds and sparkling stars reflected in the sea, or take advantage of the cafes and stands open every night. If you come across special days, open-air concerts and wave sounds that will whisper in your ear will give you a unique night.

Kantara Castle

Kantara Castle, built by the Byzantines in the 10th century, was built as a watchtower on the rocky area at an average altitude of 600 meters from the sea. In the Crusader period, it was surrounded by “Lionheart Richard”. Today, it is the center of attention of tourists and locals with its magnificent field of view, refreshing atmosphere and architecture.

Panayia Thedokou Church (Pier Icon Museum)

Iskele Icon Museum is an architecture used as a church in the past in the center of the district. It was maintained in 1804. Most of the ancient paintings are kept inside the church. On May 23, 1991, it was put into service as the Pier Icon Museum by TRNC Antiquities and Museums Department.

Ayios Yakavos Chapel Church (St. James Church)

It is a church belonging to the Byzantine Period in Iskele Ecevit Square decorated with porcelain plates. Until 1974, there were 2 icons belonging to Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary in the church. Restored by the Ministry of Tourism in March 2009, it was put into service under the name of Ayios Yakavos Chapel Church under the Directorate of Tourism Promotion and Marketing Department.

Güzelyurt got its name from the richness of the territory of the region and the greenness of the environment. All sides are covered with citrus orchards. The most important product of the region is citrus. From the finds, we see that the first settlement near Güzelyurt was encountered in the Neolithic period. In the Bronze Age, finds showing that the virgin deposits near the region were operated were encountered. Among the main places that can be seen are; Güzelyurt Museum is Soli Ruins and Vuni Castle.

• Güzelyurt Region Places to visit:
• Vuni Palace
• Tumba Tu Skuru
• St. Mamas Church

Vuni Palace

It was founded by the king of the city of Marion in the 5th century to control the settlements of the Greeks (Soli Kent). The palace, which has 137 rooms, lost its Palace function in 449 BC when the Persian rule was replaced by Greek rule. The palace, which has been around for 70 years, was burned by the people of Soli and was not renewed again. The ruins are now visible. These ruins are entrance, royal rooms, columnar courtyard, kitchen courtyard, cistern, food stores, baths, living rooms, work places.

Tumba Tu Skuru

It is a settlement in the north of Güzelyurt, near the village of Kalkanlı, built between 1550-1700 BC by Egeli merchants. In the excavation conducted between 1971 and 1974, a great number of works were found. These artifacts uncovered meet with the public at the Güzelyurt Archeology Museum.

St. Mamas Church

The church in Güzelyurt was built in the name of Aziz Mamas. St. Mamas Church has undergone many changes until today. It is claimed that Aziz Mamas had visited many places and lived in Güzelyurt for a while. When he died, it is among the rhetoric that each piece was distributed to places he visited and churches were built in his name. Rituals are held in the church on behalf of St. Mamas on September 2, the date of his death every year.

• Places to visit in Lefke:
• Ancient City of Soli
• Petra Tou Limnid Reef
• Historical Lefke and Ottoman Mansions
• Piri Mehmet Pasha Tomb
• Cengiz Topel Monument

Ancient City of Soli

Founded in antiquity, Soli hosted one of the 9 Cyprus Kingdoms. It developed as an important port city in its period. As a result of the excavations in Soli, which lived its most magnificent period in the Roman period, 7 tombs were found.

Petra Tou Limnid Reef

The excavation of the rock, which is a settlement belonging to the Neolithic period in 500 BC, was made by the Swedish Excavation Committee.

Historical Lefke and Ottoman Mansions

Ottoman mansions with pearls from Ottoman architecture are one of Lefke’s must-see places. 41 mansions that provide visual feast were taken under protection by a law decision.

Piri Mehmet Pasha Tomb

Although the exact year of construction is not known, it is known that it was built on the ruins of the Ay.Yorgi church during the Ottoman period. Participating in an operation organized by the Ottoman Empire, Mehmet Bey saw this ruined church and decided to turn it into a mosque and named it his grandfather Pir Pasha.

Cengiz Topel Monument

On 8 August 1964, in the warning flight of the Turkish Air Force in Cyprus, he was killed after being taken prisoner despite being able to jump with a parachute when his plane was hit by Greek anti-aircraft guns. Topel, who was declared dead by the Greeks in the hospital, was returned on 12 August 1964. It is the first pilot loss of the Turkish Air Force in Cyprus. The place where it fell was named Cengiz Topel Monument.