Let’s take a walk through the center of Lefkosia (another name for the capital of Cyprus, Greek Λευκωσία; Turkish Lefkoşa — Lefkosha). There is plenty to see here, especially in its historic part.
How old is the city of Nicosia? More than two thousand years — it was founded around the 7th century BC, so it’s better to count its age in centuries.
What to see in Nicosia on your own?
Since traffic in this area is difficult due to heavy congestion, narrow streets, and pedestrian zones, we set off on foot.
I really like this lovely city. For its charm and multiculturalism. I love coming here. Its Old Town district, located — as you might guess — in the center, deserves special mention.
Video – how to get to Nicosia from Paphos. Not the fastest route, but so interesting!)
By the way, I have a separate post about the alleys of Paphos
You can wander around Nicosia, take Instagram photos, stay in small cozy hotels in the city center, try cuisines from around the world, and shop too… We even once managed to celebrate New Year in this city. It was very quiet, not many people, few places open, because not everyone celebrates this holiday here — the main focus is on Christmas.
Architecture of Nicosia
It’s diverse. You can see Ottoman-era monuments, for example, as well as many buildings in this recognizable architectural style.
Unfortunately, I don’t know exactly what it’s called — I can only guess the period: the second half of the last century. If anyone knows this architectural style — welcome to the comments.
It reminds me of Soviet modernism, since the TASS building in Moscow, for example, is done in a similar style. Perhaps it’s modernism? Or constructivism? Or…?
Take note of this Ottoman Architecture monument.
And these are the alleys of the Old Town in Nicosia. Beautiful? Do they convey the atmosphere? But keep in mind — in the summer heat it can be uncomfortable here, to be honest.
Eleftheria Square
UPD 2022. Over the past couple of years, the Cypriot capital has been transformed, especially in the center. Just take Eleftheria Square (Πλατεία Ελευθερίας), for example. Its design was handled by the famous Zaha Hadid Architects: https://www.zaha-hadid.com/masterplans/eleftheria-square. This bureau has created many world-famous works, one of which is the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku
Fountains, cafes, and shops under this structure make walking here even more comfortable.
More photos and details — at https://cyprus.is/eleftheria-square-nicosia/
These photos were taken in spring, when there aren’t too many tourists yet. Click to enlarge.
From here, on the new and clean Eleftheria Square, it’s a bit strange to look at such outdated buildings as NICOSIA PALACE.
All in all, the alleys in the Old Town have become cleaner, newer, fresher, and more welcoming. So I recommend adding Nicosia to your must-visit list, with Ledras Street as an essential stop — you’ll find plenty of other beauties here too.
And not only beauties! For example, at the Lebanese restaurant Fanoush https://goo.gl/maps/Cjxb3cqvT4Es4uDWA you can enjoy delicious food 😋😋 And (which is still unusual for Cyprus), even if you are vegetarian — the variety of dishes will pleasantly surprise you.
Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion
I also recommend visiting the Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion museum, located right here in the Old Town.
A detailed review of this attraction is available at https://cyprus.is/house-of-hadjigeorgakis-kornesios. A small ethnological museum, quite beautiful.
Coin Museum in Cyprus
If museums don’t make you yawn, you can drop by another one in the Old Town — the Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage in Nicosia, or the Numismatics Museum. To me it’s duller than the previous mansion of the Greco‑Turkish notable, but you decide.
By the way, in some sources the name of the Cypriot capital is written with a “z” — Nikozia. I haven’t studied the etymology, so no comments.
Similar thoughts crossed my mind when I looked at this new build in Pattaya.
[wpremark preset_name=”default-info” icon_show=”1″ icon_image=”info-circle-regular” icon_color=”#3da2e0″ icon_width=”32″ icon_height=”32″ icon_indent=”16″ background_show=”1″ background_color=”#e3f1f4″ border_top=”0″ border_right=”0″ border_bottom=”0″ border_left=”0″ border_width=”2″ border_color=”#3da2e0″ shadow_show=”0″ shadow_x=”0″ shadow_y=”5″ shadow_blur=”10″ shadow_stretching=”-5″ shadow_opacity=”0.3″ title_show=”0″ title_bold=”0″ title_italic=”0″ title_underline=”0″ title_uppercase=”0″ title_font_size=”18″ title_line_height=”1.5″ text_bold=”0″ text_italic=”0″ text_underline=”0″ text_uppercase=”0″ padding_top=”20″ padding_right=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”20″ margin_top=”20″ margin_right=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ margin_left=”0″ border_radius=”5″]A friendly tip. Don’t call this coffee “Turkish.” Here it’s Cypriot — Cyprus coffee. This isn’t a joke, and while walking in central Nicosia you can see why with your own eyes: the border with barricades, barbed wire, and armed soldiers. On the other side lies the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. The story of its emergence is a sad page in the island’s history. To avoid misunderstandings, don’t order “Turkish” coffee. [/wpremark]
Museum of Folk Art
Drop by the Museum of Folk Art in the Old Town of Nicosia. Μουσείο Λαικής Τέχνης Κύπρου
How to get there: https://goo.gl/maps/usU1xrdhRoiFMehu9 (there are at least three museums in this spot).
Official information on the Nicosia Municipality website — https://www.nicosia.org.cy/ru-RU/discover/museums/cyprus-folk-art-Museum/
Plenty of interesting things inside. And outside.
Cathedral Church of Apostle Barnabas
Καθεδρικός Ιερός Ναός Αποστόλου Βαρνάβα – Cathedral Church of Apostle Barnabas
Omeriye Mosque (Omeriye Mosque – Τζαμί Ομεριέ)
150 m from the Cathedral is the Omeriye Mosque. It’s active. Beautiful outside; I didn’t go inside.
Coordinates of the mosque: https://goo.gl/maps/B3xGYKotzcJvcA1m8
By the way, reviews on Google Maps say that Omeriye Mosque is the only functioning mosque in the southern part of Nicosia. They say that before the Ottoman conquest there was a Catholic Augustinian church here.
Hamam Omerye
It has a very cozy courtyard.
Recommended to visit. Hamam, massage, beautiful setting — all good.
Hamam Omerye
Снято пару лет назад, но не думаю, что обстановка внутри сильно изменилась. Рекомендую посетить, если проводите время в Старом Городе Никосии. Статья об этом славном районе – https://t.co/Iq2dNFHJoN#никосия #кипр #HamamOmerye pic.twitter.com/Nxq82mivMG— webliner (@webliner_pro) July 26, 2022
Here is what the official website of the Nicosia Municipality says about it:
Hamam Omerye is located in the old part of the city, next to the Omeriye Mosque and near the Archbishop’s Palace. It was built in 1570 – 1571 as a gift from Lala Mustafa Pasha to the city after the island came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The baths (or hamam) were dedicated to the Caliph Omar (Umar), and the area became known as Omeriye.
The entrance on the south side of the building first led into a small courtyard and then into the reception hall. The hall has vaulted ceilings and an octagonal basin in the middle. It is followed by two warm rooms, and then a vaulted hall where the temperature was higher.
The hamam is still in use, and after its recent restoration it has become a favorite place for relaxation in Nicosia. In 2006 it received the Europa Nostra prize for the preservation of architectural heritage.
Phone: +357 22 460006
Address: 8 Tillirias Square, Nicosia
Period: Year‑round
Website: www.hamamomerye.com/
Another beautiful spot in Lefkosia is Metochi Kykkou Park — recommended. If you want to shop, in addition to stores in the Old City and other districts, there’s Nicosia Mall, IKEA Mall of Cyprus, and other shopping centers.
Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram
