NICOSIA:
It is claimed that from the Assyrian sources dated back to 7th century BC the city that was called Ledra was the origin of Nicosia. During the old egypt domination period in the island , in the years 300 BC the son of Ptomley 1. soter , Lefkosa rebuilt the city and gave it his name . The name Nicosia drived from this . The name nicosia first used in 1192 when the native people rebelled against the Templer Knights . From this date onwards the island was ruled from Nicosia and it was accepted as the capital city of Cyprus . The brilliant of the city which was developed during the period of lousinans continued until the venetians conqoured the island in 1489 . During the Venetians administiration in order to strenghten the walls many churches and palaces were demolished and the materials were used in the construction .Lefkosa which was conquered by the Turkish baths , Moslem theological scholls and inns which were the work of arts of Ottoman culture .
Selimiye Mosque
Constructed by the louisianans between 1208 and 1326, Selimiye is accepted to be the most important example of gothic architecture in Cyprus . The monumental main door and yhe carved stone window above it are spectacular works of gothic art . After the Ottoman conquest of Nicosia in 1570 , a minaret was added to the cathedral and thus it was transformed into Hagia Sophia Mosque , Which was renamed in 1954 as Selimiye Mosque
The Great Inn
It is construction was ordered by the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus , Muzzafer Pasa , in 1572. it is arthitecture resembles to many other Inn of its period in Anatolia . Around the inner courtyard of the stone inn there are 68 rooms and 10 shops . The inn, after years of restoration , was re-opened to visitors in 2002 . Its souvenir shops restaurants and Cypriot wine barattract locals and tourists likewise. On Tuesday and Thursday nights , live music fills the inner courtyard with delicious melodies.
Armenian church
The church on sehit Salahi Sevket street was built in the 8th century , probably by the refugees from jerusalem.
Kyrenia Gate
Kyrenia gate is arched northern entry into Nicosia , through the old walls which surround the city . it was built by the Venetians in 1567 . the gate was used to be called ‘ Porta Del Proveditore' named after the Venetian engineer Proveditore Francesco.On the walls of gate there are inscriptions from vebetian and Ottoman times .
The Mansion OF Dervish pasha
The 19th century mansion bears the characteristic of Turkish architecture of the period . This mansion belonged to Dervish pasha , the publisher of the first newspaper ‘Zaman' in cyprus . The mansion was restored and transformed into an ethnography museum.
Venetian Pillar
In the center of the most important square in Nicosia is the venetian pillar, moved from its original spot in Salamis to Nicosia as a tribute to Venetian rule in Cyprus . On top of the granite pillar was The lion of St. Mark , at the bottom ; the coast of arms of noble venetian families.
The Gamblers' Inn
The Gamblers' inn in the Asmaalti square was built towards the end of the 17th century . In ther entry hall of this Ottoman Inn is trought to have been built over the ruins of a monastery . Around the iner courtyard , there are 44 rooms .
Eaved House
The tiny building on the eastern side of bedesten was built during the British rule in one of its two rooms medieval grave stones and other statues are displayed . The second room is an atelier fort he building of statues.
