NicosiaNicosia is located not only in the center of Cyprus but is also the capital city of Cyprus. The city of Nicosia has been focused of every visitor and invader of the island for thousands of years. It is well known that a day in Nicosia will always be a well spent day. The ancient city of Nicosia was once known as Ledra or Ledrae. History records that Onasagoras the king of Ledra was paying tribute to Esarhaddon in 672 BC. Ledra was a small town rebuilt by Lefkosa who was son of Ptolemy in 300 BC. In 368 BC the first Chritian bishop Trifillios arrived and the name Ledra or Lefkosia was given to the town. The town came under the rule of Byzantine in 4th century AD and in 1192 was passed to the kings of Lusignan whose seats remained until 1489 AD when the venetians captured this city. Ottoman Empire invaded and became the rulers in 1571 AD and lost the town to the British Empire in 1878. Who made it capital of the British ruled Cyprus in 1925. In 1960, British handed over Cyprus to the locals Greeks and Turks Cypriots. In 1964, after the internal violence, Nicosia was divided between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots in to North and South. 10 years later after an attempt to coup the island with Greece, Turkey invaded Cyprus and geographically divided the Island in to two parts where the Turkish Cypriots announced their independence with a new state Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and until now could not gain the recognition by the International Community but only Turkey. North part of Nicosia was declared as the capital of North Cyprus by the Turkish Cypriot. Both communities the Greek Cypriots and the Turk Cypriots divided the city physically by a symbolic wall at Ledra Street, totally cutting the Northern part from the Southern part of the city. Nicosia in English, Lefkosha in Turkish and Lefkosia in Greek language is the largest and highly populate city of Cyprus located on the Pedieos River that lies in the center of the island. Nicosia is for centuries the seat of government and is also the main business point. A real example of the alpha city that is an important point for the global economic system, Nicosia is designed to accommodate as many residents and business bodies as possible. The old Nicosia town is surrounded by the ancient walls built in 16th century full of cafes, squares, pedestrian precincts, and charming faces. The 5 km wall encircles the old city with eleven heart-shaped bastions are interspersed with three gates. To the north, south and towards the east. Like other cities of Cyprus, Nicosia showed mush faster growth, approximately 270,000 residents live in the South Nicosia while 85000 live in the North Nicosia as counted in 2004. This city has always been the center of the trade and government for the island. Nicosia today has many shops, modern shopping malls, restaurants and if full entertainment events as well as manufacturing industries. Nicosia has several tourist attractions and places of interest. Cyprus MuseumLocated on Museum street an Archaeological Museum is the largest museum in Cyprus where Artifacts discovered only from Cyprus during many excavations are placed for display in this museum. This museum provides house for the most extensive collection of Cyprus antiques. During the British occupation of Cyprus this museum was founded in 1882. Initially the museum was housed in governmental offices and in 1889 it was moved to Victoria Street within the medieval walls. The museum consists of 14 halls that surround a square central area, storerooms, a library and laboratories. Agios Ioannis ChurchThe church is situated in the ground of Makarios Cultural Foundations. It was built in 1662 on a craggy rock. Agios Ioannis Church is a beautiful site and a must see place once visited the capital city of Nicosia. Cyprus Jewelry MuseumSituated in laiki Yitonia, a small museum housing Cypriot Jewelry from the history dated back to the late 19th century up to date. The display items include religious items, old tools, ornaments and some silver utensils. Archbishop's PalaceThis palace is a building where much of the fighting tool place both in 1956 and in 1974 when the Turkish army invaded island from the North. In the second fighting the palace was almost completely destroyed and was rebuilt in 1980s. The building where the Archbishop of Cyprus resided is not closed to the general public, however the rest of the palace is open for visitors. Byzantine Art MuseumIn the Makarios Culture Foundation, a Byzantine Art Museum is located where more than 200 Cypriot icons are on display from 5th century to the 19th century. Bayraktar MosqSituated on the Constanza Bastion is the Bayraktar Mosque marking the place where the Venetian Walls were raised in 1570 by Ottoman Turks. Famagusta GateThere are three original gates leading into the old city of Nicosia. Famagusta Gate is the most preserved gate among all and is famous among all Cyprus tourists and visitors. The whole gate structure was refined and rebuilt in 1981 where in modern world is used for concert venue and exhibitions. The wooden door opens onto a tunnel that leads the way to as small open-air arena being used by many visiting artists for their concerts. There are many restaurants, bars and cafes around always full of tourists and visitors. Municipal GardensA lovely place for evening walks specially on hot summers and a rest point in hot sunny days. Among other places of interest are; Arablar Mosque |