North Cyprus Sightseeing
Kantara Castle
Kantara Castle is the lowest-placed of the three large crusader castles in the Kyrenia Mountains. Kantara is located on a hill guarded by the Karpas Peninsula. Kantara was built at the beginning of the Crusader period in Cyprus. The castle was finally abandoned in 1525 due to its obsolescence. The ruins that you can see today are from the 13th century. Preserved were towers, walls, and bridgehead fortifications.
GPS: N 35.4061317 E 33.9238772
Ancient City of Salamis
Ancient Salamis is an ideal place for all who love history and ancient cities. According to legend, the city, often described as Pompeii in Cyprus, was founded by the hero of the Trojan Wars, Teucer, the son of Telamon, who could not return home after the fight because he could not avenge his brother Aias.
Since 1952, Salamis has been a protected cultural monument, where excavations are still ongoing, as it is believed that much of it is hidden underground.
GPS: N 35.1874383 E 33.902854
Famagusta City Centre
Famagusta is located on the east coast of Northern Cyprus and has a rich historical past. In the old port, there is an important fortress called Othello Tower . Original Gothic Christian Cathedral of St. Nicholas from the 14th century was rebuilt into the Laly Mustafa Pashi Mosque after the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottoman Turks in 1571. Other sights include the Monastery of St. Barnabas and the Famagusta City Walls.
The current population is about 35 000 inhabitants, and the city is not only an important touristic center but also an important port.
Famagusta has always been one of the wealthiest cities in Cyprus, about which many different myths and stories have been circulating since the Middle Ages. Famagusta was said to have been more graceful than any of many European cities at the time of its greatest heyday.
GPS (parking – old town): N 35.1254981 E 33.9437725
Othello tower
The Othello Tower is a fortress located in the old port of Famagusta City. It gained its name thanks to the famous writer William Shakespeare, who planted the story of his play Othello here.
In fact, it is a Venetian fortress protecting the city in the past. You can ascend to the top, from where you have a fantastic view of the city, its surroundings, and the adjacent harbor.
Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque
The original Roman Catholic temple is today the largest medieval building in Famagusta and also the most beautiful example of Gothic architecture in Cyprus.
It is no wonder, the construction was supervised by leading French architects, who impelled the cathedral with typical European elements, and its appearance reminds one of the French Gothic temples. Its majestic western façade was modeled on Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims, France. Thanks to this form it is also nicknamed Cypriot Reims.
Saint Barnabas Monastery
Monastery of St. Barnabas was founded in the place where the grave of the apostle Barnabas was found, who was stoned for his preaching. The church built above Barnabas’ grave was destroyed in the 7th century by Arab invaders and then rebuilt. The walls of the church are richly decorated with paintings representing the history of finding the body of St. Barnabas and other scenes from his life.
The apostle Barnabas was born in nearby Salamis, later preached together with the apostle Paul in Cyprus and Asia Minor. Today, the monastery is one of the most famous monuments of Famagusta.