Nicosia is known as the capital of Cyprus, and has been one for more than 1000 years, but the origin can be traced back to the Bronze period. It is situated approximately at the middle of the island, on the Mesaoria Plains. It is flanked in the north by the Kyrenia Mountain ranges – with the unique ‘Pentadaktylos” – the mountain with five fingers.

As it is the place where the government is based and so becomes the diplomatic and cultural center of Cyprus, the city has lot of interesting buildings and historical places. The city is actually divided into the old and modern city. The ancient part of the city is bordered by sturdy a Venetian walls of over four centuries old, surrounded by an active modern city has population of 180000 people. The city was also once divided between the Turkey and Greece controlled Cyprus.

The ancient part of the town protected by the sturdy walls bastion walls has a lot of places of historic importance.

Some of the places that could interest a tourist are:-

Museums: – Cyprus Museum- has valuable and beautiful articles if Cypriot ancient times and art resources from the early Roman time to the crusade Period. Art Galleries and Byzantine Museum this has one of the most number of artifact form the 9th century. Folk Art Museum has a large collection of modern Cypriot people talent, as well as wood-carved materials, embroidery, tapestry, pottery, hand-woven materials and national costumes.

Historical sites such as House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornessios, Famagusta Gate-is a one of the gates on the Venetian walls. Laiki Yitonia- is a pedestrian wall..

There are a lot of Monasteries, churches and mosques to name few Ayios Ioannis Cathedral, Archbishopric-center of Cyprus Orthodox Church, Omeriyeh Mosque, Chrysaliniotissa Church, Arabahmet Mosque, Haydarpasha Mosque.

The old Nicosia linked by central Eleftheria Square with the graceful modern urban, which has developed outside the walls, where offices, hotels, gardens and restaurants mingle gladly with the good aged homes and colonial structures of this international city.

Day trip to Northern Cyprus

An integral part of Cyprus’ history is the division of the island between the Turkish controlled North Cyprus and Southern Cyprus. Nicosia is the last divided capital of the world. The end of the cold war has ended most dividied capitals in the world, but not Nicosia. Today you can walk from the Cyprus-controlled part of Nicosia and over to the Turkish-controlled part. It’s a gate with guards which gives you a stamp in your passport and provides you with a visa that gives you access to the Turkish part. It has not always been this easy, and this arrangement has only been active for the last few years. Many hope that the opening of the borders between the two parts will help advance the talks about solving, what is referred to, as the ‘Cyprus problem.’ Tourists who visit the northern part is exposed to kebabs, Turkish beer and other parts of Turkish culture. When you walk around the northern part you can not help but wonder how similar the two parts are, and why it is impossible to find a permanent solution.

If you are visiting Cyprus on a package holiday in Ayia Napa, there are plenty of offers of day trips to Nicosia. Immense yourself in some city-culture after you have been relaxing on the Cyprus beaches. Check our site for the latest Ayia Napa news. If you are from Scandinavia you may also want to check out our vast guide to the island of Kypros.