Northern Cyprus

Destination 》Europe 》Southern Europe 》Northern Cyprus

Year Visited: 2016 – February

I visited Cyprus during Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) Holidays of year 2016. As I had a full time job during those days, I was trying to visit at least 2 or 3 new countries every year.

During my visit to the Republic of Cyprus, I made a day trip to the Northern Cyprus, by walking across the Ledra Street border crossing.

Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean, located south of Turkey. Although the island is geographically in Asia, it is politically a European country, part of the Southern Europe and a member of the European Union.

Because of strategic location in the Middle East, Cyprus was occupied by several major powers, including the empires of the Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians, from whom the island was seized in 333 BC by Alexander the Great. Subsequent rule by Ptolemaic Egypt, the Classical and Eastern Roman Empire, Arab caliphates, the French Lusignan dynasty and the Venetians, was followed by over three centuries of Ottoman rule between 1571 and 1878.

In the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), Cyprus was leased to the British Empire and in 1925 it was declared a British crown colony. Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. Despite a constitution which guaranteed a degree of power-sharing between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority, the two ethnic groups clashed in 1974, with the end result being control of the northern and eastern 40% of the island by Turkey. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared independence as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The UN operates a peacekeeping force and a narrow buffer zone between the two Cypriot ethnic groups.

During my week long stay on the island, I visited few cities of Republic of Cyprus. This post is about my a day trip to Northern Cyprus.

After few days of exploring Republic of Cyprus it was time to visit the capital city, Nicosia, also known as Lefkosia, the world’s last divided capital. The barbed wire and guard towers of the Green Line, a demilitarized zone created by the United Nations, cuts the city in two, with the northern side being the capital of Northern Cyprus and the southern half being the capital of the Republic of Cyprus.

Ledra Street, a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, which links North Nicosia, capital of Northern Cyprus, and south Nicosia. the capital of Republic of Cyprus.

Ledra street border crossing, going from Republic of Cyprus (Greek side) to Northern Cyprus (Turkish side), This crossing reopened in 2008, 35 years after the conflict.

At Ledra street border crossing, I am standing on the Greek Side, behind me is the Turkish side… A very interesting place.. as soon as you cross the border, you can notice and feel that you are in a different country

Welcome to Lefkoşa (Northern Nicosia), the capital city of Northern Cyprus! A beautiful Manhole Cover with city Symbol of Lefkoşa.

Information office in the Lefkoşa, you can exchange your currency here.

Flag of The Northern Cyprus.

Belediye Pazari, an indoor municipal market located in the middle of the old town of Lefkoşa. It is an interesting place to experience some traditional Turkish market culture. There are lot of little stalls and shops here offering everything from nuts and Turkish Delight to fresh fruit and beautiful fabrics.

A store selling traditional Turkish Delight at Belediye Pazari, an indoor municipal market.

The Venetian Column, located in the Sarayönü Square, officially Atatürk Square. It is the center of Lefkoşa (North Nicosia), the Turkish part of the city and was the administrative center of the island for centuries.

Selimiye Mosque, historically known as Cathedral of Saint Sophia or Ayasofya Mosque, is a former Roman Catholic cathedral converted into a mosque. It has historically been the main mosque of Lefkoşa.

Selimiye Mosque, historically known as Cathedral of Saint Sophia or Ayasofya Mosque, is a former Roman Catholic cathedral converted into a mosque. The Selimiye Mosque is housed in the largest and oldest surviving Gothic church in Cyprus. It was the coronation church for the Lusignan kings of Cyprus.

Streets of Lefkoşa (North Nicosia)

Turkish Tea in Lefkoşa (North Nicosia).

Delicious Turkish/Ottoman style street food in Lefkoşa (North Nicosia).

A beautiful manhole cover with city symbol of Lefkoşa (North Nocosia).

From Lefkoşa, I took a bus to Girne (Kyrenia), a city in the Northern Cyprus, noted for its historic harbor and castle. It is believed that the city was founded by Achaeans from the Peloponnese after the Trojan War. As the town grew prosperous, the Romans established the foundations of its castle in the 1st century AD. Girne (Kyrenia) grew in importance after the 9th century due to the safety offered by the castle, and played a pivotal role under the Lusignan rule as the city was never capitulated. The castle was most recently modified by the Venetians in the 15th century, but the city surrendered to the Ottoman Empire in 1571.

One of the oldest cafe in the town.

The Girne Kapısı (Kyrenia Gate), a gate in the Nicosia walls, in North Nicosia. It was the gate which was used for transport to the northern areas, especially Girne (Kyrenia). The gate was built in 1567 by Venetians, as a part of the new city walls.

Girne Kapısı (Kyrenia Gate); The gate was built in 1567 by the Venetians as part of the new city walls. In the following centuries it was rebuilt several times. Currently, as a free-standing building, it serves as a tourist information office.

White dove sculpture in Girne’s upscale shopping street.

Girne (Kyrenia) Castle at the east end of the old harbor. The castle dates back to Byzantine times and has served the Byzantines, Crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans, and British.