Nicosia District

Nicosia is the Capital of Cyprus, a status it has enjoyed for 1000 years since the 10th century, though its beginnings date back 5000 years to the Bronze Age. It lies roughly at the centre of the island in the Mesaoria Plain, flanked by the beautiful northern range of Kyrenia Mountains with its distinctive ‘Pentadaktylos’ - the five finger mountain. There are various suggestions as to the origin of the name Nicosia or ‘Lefkosia’ in Greek but the most likely one is linked to the popular tree, the tall ‘Lefki ‘which once adorned the city. 
 

The old walled city is unique, encircled by strong fortress walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the enchanting old city is scattered with buildings and monuments of historical interest as well as little shops, cafes and tavernas. To walk through the old city is to step back in time. Narrow streets and old houses with ornate balconies jutting from weather beaten sandstone walls and craftsmen in small workshops practising trades unchanged for centuries.

The modern city has developed outside the walls into a cosmopolitan centre of business and culture and offers probably the best shopping on the island.

Places of Interest

Archbishopric
Centre of the Cyprus Orthodox Church, the new Archbishopric built in a neo-byzantine style in 1960, contains the private suite of the late Archbishop Makarios. Open to the public only on special occasions

Chrysaliniotissa Chruch
Considered the oldest Byzantine church in Nicosia it is dedicated to ‘Our Lady of the
Ciolden Flax’ and is believed to have been built in 1450 by Queen Helena Palaeologos.

Omeriyeh Mosque
Converted into a mosque in 1571 by Mustapha Pasha, who believed that the original 14th century Augustinian church of St. Mary’s, was built on the spot where prophet Omer rested when visiting Nicosia. Most of the original building was destroyed by Ottoman artillery. Engraved tombstones of the Lusignan period were used to re-floor the mosque. Remains of late Venetian building can be seen near the east end of the mosque

Kykko Metochi - Prokopiou Street, Engomi
Monastery dependency of the famous Kykko Monastery, dating from 1890.

Ayois Ioannis Cathedral - Kyprianos Square
Built by Archbishop Nikiforos in 1662, the recently restored 18th century wall paintings
depict biblical scenes and the discovery of the tomb of Saint Barnabas at Salamis.
Dedicated to Ayios loannis (Saint John).

Tripiotis Church - Solon Street
Built by Archbishop Germanos II in 1695 this is an interesting example of the Franco Byzantine style. The rich interior, the unusually wide iconostasis and silver-covered icon indicate this was once a ‘society’ church.

Phaneromeni Church - Onassagoras Street
Built in 1872 this used to be the largest church in Nicosia. The marble mausoleum to the
east of the church contains the relics of the bishops and priests executed by the Turks in
1821.

St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral Church
Though officially called a Cathedral, this is the parish church for Anglican residents, and was built in 1893 in a style reminiscent of many English village churches

House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios - Patriarch Gregoriou Street (Open 8am-2pm, Mon-Fri, 8am-2pm, Sat)
Originally a Venetian Building. It is probably the most important 18th century building in
Nicosia. It was once the house of the Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornessios. The house is
being restored and will house the Cyprus Ethnographic Museum. Hadjigeorgakis
Kornessios house has won the Europa Nostra award in 1988.


Famagusta Gate - Nikiforos Phokas Avenue (Open 9am-lpm, 4pm-7pm, Mon-Fri)
The Venetian walls which completely encircle the old city have a circumference of 4.5 km and possess eleven heart-shaped bastions. There were only three entries to the city through gates, in the north, south and east. One of these gates, the Porta Giuliana, called the Famagusta Gate has been restored and is now the Nicosia Municipal Cultural Centre. The large imposing gate itself leads into a long passage with a central cupola, which cuts through the walls and comes out in the moat. On both sides are high, stonewalled guard-rooms. The restored passage and rooms are used for exhibitions, conferences, lectures and various performances. The old quarter of the town, close to the Famagusta Gate, is also being restored.

Laiki Yitonia
Restored pedestrian area within the walled city, east of Eleftheria Square.
Charming winding alleys with traditional houses and shops, restaurants, galleries, all lovingly restored as typical examples of Cypriot urban architecture of a bygone, more graceful age.

State Collection of Contemporary Art - Corner Stassinos Ave and Crete Street
Representative collection of paintings and sculpture by Cypriot artists 1930-1980

Municipal Theatre - Museum Street
This spacious theatre in neo-classical style was completed in 1967. It has a seating capacity of 1200 and is used for performances by the Cyprus Theatrical Organisation, musical concerts and recitals, dance performances and for various ceremonies.

Cyprus Handicraft Service - Athalassa Avenue
The aim of the government-run centre is to promote and improve traditional folk art and craft skills by helping artisans to improve their techniques and maintain the quality of their products. The Centre includes a showroom-shop with a wide selection of Cyprus handicrafts, and also shops in Laiki Yitonia and in all other towns.

The International Conference Centre
In Nicosia you will find the most sophisticated Conference Centre on the island which accommodates more than 1000 delegates.


Museums

Cyprus Museum - Muscaum Street (Open 9am-5pm, Mon-Sat, 10am-lpm Sun)
Priceless and fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and art treasures from the
Neolithic Age to the early Byzantine Period.

Byantine Museum and Art Galleries - Archbishop Kyprianos Square.
Largest collection of icons on the island, covering the period from 9th and early 18th century. The Art Galleries contain oil paintings, maps, lithographs including six examples of the rare Kanakaria Mosaics.

Folk Art Museum - Archbishop Kypnanos Square (Open 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri, 10am-lpm Sat)
Wide collection of Cypriot Folk Art of the 19th and early 20th century, including wood-
carved objects, tapestry, embroidery, pottery, national costumes and hand-woven
materials.

National Struggle Museum
Documents, photos and other memorabilia of the 1955-1959 National Liberation Struggle