NORTH CYPRUS FAMAGUSTA ANCIENT OLD CITY OF CYPRUS

North Cyprus Famagusta City; is one of the most important, greatly fortified ports on the shores of the Mediterranean. To the north of Famagusta lie the fabulous ruins of Salamis. This great city is believed to have been founded in the ll.th century BC and after the influences of the many conquering nations notably the Romans- the city was finally abandoned in 648 AD following the combined catastrophes of earthquakes and raids by Arab pirates. The population of Salamis then moved to North Cyprus Famagusta. The spectacular ruins give a fascinating insight into long lost civilizations and include a magnificent amphitheatre, Roman baths, a gymnasium and royal tombs. The mosaics are particularly beautiful. Just inland from Famagusta North Cyprus are the church and monastery dedicated to St. Barnabas, the founder of the apostolic church in Cyprus in 45 AD. Barnabas, a Jew from Salamis, visited the island accompanied by St. Paul and St. Mark and was later martyred in Salamis in 65 AD. The church of St. Barnabas has been preserved exactly as it was since its abandonment in 1976. There is a wonderful collection of 18th century icons inside the church and the monastery cloister now houses an archaeological museum. The name of the city in Turkish is Gazimagusa in North of Cyprus, and in Greek; Ammokhostos. It lies on the eastern coast in a bay between Capes Greco and Eloea, and possesses the deepest harbour in Cyprus. Famagusta is a Prankish corruption of its Greek name, which means "buried in the sand", descriptive of the silted mouth of the Pediaeos River (Kanlidere) north of the town. It was founded as Arsinoe by the Macedonian Egyptian King Ptolemy II (308-246 BC). An influx of Christian refugees fleeing the downfall of Accra (1291) in Palestine transformed it from a tiny village into one of the richest cities in Christendom. In 13 72 the port was seized by Genoa and in 1489 by Venice, andin!571 it was conquered by the Turks. Ravaged by war and earthquakes, the old walled town is now only partially inhabited, but it contains some of the finest examples of medieval military architecture still existent today, as well as the 14th century Gothic-style St. Nicholas Cathedral, now a mosque. Under British administration (1878-1960), the modern section, called Varosha, was developed mainly as a tourist resort. After 1974, Varosha was sealed off to civilians and tourism ceased. Ferry service, which began in 1978 between Mersin, Turkey and North Cyprus Famagusta goes on its run.

Places To Visit in North Cyprus Famagusta City : Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque - Othello Tower - St. George of Latins Church - Sea Gate (Porta Del Mare) - Ayia Zoni Church - St. George of the Greeks Church - Salamis Ruins - St. Barnabas Monastery - First Locomotive in Cyprus