Selimiye Mosque is one of the most fascinating buildings in Northern Cyprus. It is also the largest building which survived so many centuries in Nicosia. As some sources say: it “may have been the largest church built in the Eastern Mediterranean in the millennium between the rise of Islam and the late Ottoman period”.
This Medieval Castle is one of the most recognizable landmarks from Paphos. It is situated on the side of the harbour and is an absolute must-see for visitors (also from inside) in this town. The Paphos Castle dates back to Byzantine Times when it was built as a fortress for the city. Today, the Castle serves as an artistic centre.
There are not many areas in Nicosia that allowed for a real panoramic capture of the city. Fortunately for us, we managed to find one… The Shacolas Museum and Observatory is located on Ledra Street – exactly in the heart of the Southern part of Nicosia in Cyprus. We had to pay an entrance fee, but the views were so worth it. We were able to see the Capital at an almost 360˚degree angle.
The Orthodox Church of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca dates to the 9th Century and it was supposedly set to be built over the grave of Lazarus from Bethany, who was raised from death by Jesus Christ. This legend is so famous that the market surrounding The Church is filled with tourists from all countries around the world. I could understand it – that first, Lazarus is a known Bible character and second, there is something timeless and mystical in this church.
I love castles (and of course my camera does too) and I love beaches (my camera is not so fond of sand) but an idea came to mind… why not combine both? The Larnaca Castle is the perfect location that faces the sea. The sky wasn’t perfect and there was a strong gust of wind from the sea. Once passing The Castle though, the sun shone through the clouds for a brief moment, adding a unique structure.
The remains of The Archaeological Park in Paphos (also known as The Ketos Archaeological Park) dates back to the 4th Century BC. This was when the last King of Paphos Nicocles built “Nea Paphos” – a new city. Today, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage and during our stay, was a paradise display in my camera’s eyes.
On the way from our hotel to the supermarket, we discovered an ancient ruin beautifully reflecting the setting sun. I suppose the ruins are a hidden part of the archaeological area in Paphos. We tried to find some information about this site – the date it was built, how long it had been closed and its development during the golden age. Sadly, these timeworn baths appeared forgotten by tourist guides.
The upper section of the ensemble displayed the personification of freedom. The female statue figuratively looks over 2 EOKA fighters who are opening the gates of a prison, as shown. I was deeply impressed at how much detail the postures had been designed and at how much the relief of independence was constructed on their faces. In a moment of reflection, you could almost “breath in” the atmosphere of joy and freedom.
Ledra Street and Onasagorou Street are the beating hearts of Nicosia – the capital of Cyprus. A typical area filled with visitors ready to enjoy some Meze, during the early hours of the morning provided a very peaceful and serene atmosphere. If you would like to see this area at its quietest along with its dream-like surroundings, be sure to visit around sunrise.
Büyük Han – “Great In” is the oldest hotel that I have ever seen. It was built in 1572 as Caravanserai – a place where travellers in Cyprus could sleep overnight after their journey – usually in connection with the commerce trade. In our modern day, Büyük Han is currently located in the northern part of Cyprus and is the main attraction for tourists, however, this area no longer serves as a hotel.
All photos taken by Nico Trinkhaus unless indicated otherwise.
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