Nicosia Walled City
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Modern Nicosia is a cheerfully rambling sprawl that surrounds a much more picturesque inner core ringed by impressive fortifications. However, unlike many historic town centres, this carefully preserved medieval gem is still very much a living town, its streets bustling with shops, bars, restaurants and local colour. Pockets of recently restored buildings such as the Archbishop’s Palace and museums reveal a glorious Byzantine past and are well worth a look. The southern part of the city is divided from the Turkish-occupied North along a line between the Pafos Gate and the Flatro (or Sibelli) Bastion.
Nicosia is also known as Lefkosia in Greek and Lefkosa in Turkish Crossing from southern to northern Nicosia is permitted. If staying overnight, keep hotel receipts to show at the checkpoint. (see Illegal Border Crossing)
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1. Medieval Walls
The ramparts are strengthened by 11 triangular bastions, five of which are in the southern part of Nicosia.
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2. Pafos Gate
This gate is only 10 m (30 ft) from the Turkish zone. Inside, the Church of the Holy Cross straddles the border and its rear door, within the north zone, is always sealed.
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3. Ledra Lookout Point
3. Ledra Lookout PointFor a panoramic view of the walled city, head for the lookout point on the 11th floor of the Shacolas Building.
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4. Laiki Geitonia
4. Laiki GeitoniaThis section of the walled city has been restored into a pedestrianized area with cafés and craft shops. It makes a pleasant place to stop and rest your feet during a tour of the rest of the old town.
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5. Agios Trypiotis
5. Agios TrypiotisBuilt by Archbishop Germanos II in 1695, this church is a well preserved example of the Franco-Byzantine style, merging influences from eastern and western architecture.
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6. House of Dragoman Hadjigeorgiakis Kornesios
Inside the former home of the dragoman (mediator between Greeks and Turks) is one room furnished as it would have been in the 18th century.
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7. Byzantine Art Museum
Pride of place in the museum is given to the Kanakaria mosaics. Dating from the 6th century, these early Christian works illustrate saints and the Apostles.
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8. Archbishop’s Palace
8. Archbishop’s PalaceBuilt in 1960, the “new” Archbishop’s Palace mimics the Byzantine style of its predecessor. It houses the Ethnographic Museum.
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9. Podocataro Bastion & Liberty Monument
9. Podocataro Bastion & Liberty MonumentOne of the walled city’s enclaves of greenery surrounds the bombastic monument celebrating independence from Britain, unveiled in 1973.
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10. Famagusta Gate
10. Famagusta GateThe Famagusta Gate has been restored and now houses the city’s Municipal Cultural Centre, with a changing schedule of exhibitions.
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