DK Travel : Cyprus : Nicosia Walled City

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)

Top 10 Sights

1. Medieval Walls

The ramparts are strengthened by 11 triangular bastions, five of which are in the southern part of Nicosia.
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.
3. Ledra Lookout Point

3. Ledra Lookout Point

For a panoramic view of the walled city, head for the lookout point on the 11th floor of the Shacolas Building.
4. Laiki Geitonia

4. Laiki Geitonia

This 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.
5. Agios Trypiotis

5. Agios Trypiotis

Built 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.
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.
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.
8. Archbishop’s Palace

8. Archbishop’s Palace

Built in 1960, the “new” Archbishop’s Palace mimics the Byzantine style of its predecessor. It houses the Ethnographic Museum.
9. Podocataro Bastion & Liberty Monument

9. Podocataro Bastion & Liberty Monument

One of the walled city’s enclaves of greenery surrounds the bombastic monument celebrating independence from Britain, unveiled in 1973.
10. Famagusta Gate

10. Famagusta Gate

The Famagusta Gate has been restored and now houses the city’s Municipal Cultural Centre, with a changing schedule of exhibitions.

Practical Information

The walled city is easy to explore on foot – and a nightmare to explore by any other means. Leave your car at the Tripoli Bastion car park (just south of the Pafos Gate). Tourist Office: Aristokyprou 11 22 67 42 64 Ledra Lookout Point: Shacolas Building Open 10am–6:30pm Mon–Sun CY£0.50 Agios Trypiotis: Solonos 47–9 Open 9am–5pm daily Free House of Dragoman Hadjigeorgiakis Kornesios: Patriarchou Grigoriou Open 9am–2pm Mon–Fri Adm CY£0.75 Byzantine Art Museum: Archbishop Makarios III Cultural Foundation Archbishop Kyprianos Sq Open 9am–4:30pm Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm Sat Adm CY£1.00