Nicosia Guide

Welcome

TO NICOSIA GUIDE

Nicosia (or Lefkosia), where our school is located, is the capital and largest city of Cyprus. It is the southeasternmost of all EU member states' capitals. With its many different faces and hidden treasures, Nicosia and its suburbs are worth visiting all year round. With this short guide we hope you get a proper taste of our city!

Thanks for reading,
Students of 'Pefkios Georgiadis' Primary School, Nicosia - Cyprus

Enjoy!

What's

INSIDE

04. A divided capital

10. The old city

14. Prominent sights

18. Museums

22. Nature & Parks

26. Countryside

30. Sports

32. Food

Europe's last divided capital city

As a strategic location in the Mediterranean, Cyprus was occupied by several major powers and empires in its long history, before becoming independent in 1960. However, in the summer of 1974, a Turkish invasion resulted in the division of the island in two parts. The north part (about 36% of the island), is occupied by Turkish troops and administered by an illegally self-declared state. The other part is administered by the official and internationally recognized Cypriot government.

With Nicosia located at the heart of Cyprus, the city was also divided into two areas with the ‘Green Line’, that is the demilitarized United Nations Buffer Zone. So in 2022 Nicosia remains Europe's last divided capital city. ◾

Kyrenia Gate

Kyrenia Gate, which was used for transport to the northern areas of the island, is in the occupied part of Nicosia.

OCCUPIED AREA

Within the walls

VENETIAN WALLS

Nicosia is surrounded by a series of medieval defensive walls, known as the ‘Venetian walls’. They were last rebuilt in the 16th century. They have the shape of a star with eleven bastions and three gates: Kyrenia Gate (North), Paphos Gate (West) and Famagousta Gate (East).

Ledra (Lidras) Street Roadblock

Following the Turkish invasion in 1974, several roadblocks were set up through the United Nations Buffer Zone.

Perhaps the most known roadblock is that on Ledra street, one of the busiest streets within the walled city.

Cathedral of Saint Sophia

A central point in the occupied walled city is the former Christian Cathedral of St Sophia. It was built in the medieval time by the Latins (13th century) and converted into a mosque (Selimiye Mosque) during the Ottoman period (16th century).

It is the largest and oldest surviving Gothic church in Cyprus and the largest surviving historical building in Nicosia. ◾

Ledra (Lidras) Street Roadblock

Following the Turkish invasion in 1974, several roadblocks were set up through the United Nations Buffer Zone.

Perhaps the most known roadblock is that on Ledra street, one of the busiest streets within the walled city.

The roadblock was reopened as a crossing point after 34 years in 2008, following agreement of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot officials.

OCCUPIED AREA

Prior to the Turkish invasion, the north part of Nicosia was seeing great development. An indication of this was the Nicosia International Airport, located few miles from the walled city. It was originally the main airport of the island but, since its occupation in 1974, it has stopped operation. In fact, the airport was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting between Cypriot and Turkish forces at the time.

North rural Nicosia also flourished before 1974 especially in terms agricultural activities, but many villages and towns around the urban area became occupied at the time. Some villages where our students’ family and teachers are from include Gerolakkos, known for its wheat cultivation and special building stone, Katokopia where the Cyprus Government Railway used to pass through during the British era, and Argaki, known for its delicious citrus fruits (e.g. oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc.). ◾

Argaki

School ruins, Katokopia

Beyond the walls