All year Cyprus Travel DMC
Famagusta - Magosa North Cyprus
Famagusta, one of the most important historical ports in the Mediterranean has been an eyewitness for the history of Levant with its past dating back to 2500 years of time. Today, the historical port acts as the host of the biggest university in North Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean University. The second largest city of Northern Cyprus, having a local population of 40.000 inhabitants with the students, is believed to have been founded in the fifth century BC. The ancient Greek name of the city “Ammochostos” means “the place concealed in the sands” and it defines the general appearance of the city. Salamis, the most important city of Cyprus and the entire Eastern Mediterranean was set ablaze and destroyed by Arab raiders in mid-7th century AD, the fleeing inhabitants migrated to Famagusta and expanded the city.
The second human flood took place in late 13th Century; an influx of Christian refugees fleeing after the downfall of Acre in Palestine during the Crusades, transformed this tiny settlement into one of the richest cities in Christendom. Genoesen had seized the city in 1372 and they have been followed by the Venetians in 1489 and it fell to the Turks in 1571 after a siege of one year. The once so called “City of 365 Churches”, ravaged by severe wars and earthquakes is now only partially inhabited, but it still contains beautiful examples of medieval and gothic architecture.
St.Barnabas Monastery
St.Barnabas Monastery and Icon Museum, located Eastern of the Island Nearby to Famagusta and iskele, also close to Royal Tombs. The Church now serving as an Icon museum, and Monastery used as an archaeological collection, and Chapel housing the Remains of the Saint Barnabas.
St. Barnabas is important name for the orthodox world. He was one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Othello Castle
Lala Mustafa Pasha Cami
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas (the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque) where Lusignan kings were crowned kings of Jerusalem. Situated within the walls of the old city, this cathedral displays the finest examples of stonemasonry in the Middle East. The square in which the cathedrals sits bears the traces of the Lusignan, Venetian and Ottoman Periods. In front of the main entrance to the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque is a huge old tree said to be the same age as the cathedral. It is a variety of tropical fig, with the botanical name of “Ficus Sycomorus”, and known as `cumbez` in Turkish. According to botanists, the tree is 715 years old as of 2014.
Salamis Ruins
Othello Castle is one of the important places in Cyprus, famous with City Walls, this fabulous Castle built by lusignans, in the 14th Century, to protect the city from enemis attacts, Othello Tower restored by veneditans, If you drive to Old town you can park and walk around the castle and city walls, one of the must visited place in Cyprus.
Salamis Ancient City, Located East of the Island nearby to Famagusta, in iskele Region, Founder of the city was Teucer, son of Telamon, you can visit Salamis Antic theathre, roman bath, water meter, Basilica, Temple of Olympia, Zeus, Water Store. Salamis Antic City Open all year round and every day. we have daily tours, to Famagusta, and Salamis.