Are you ready for North Cyprus? The North Cyprus graduate - Part 1!
Would you like to visit North Cyprus and spend your holiday here? Then you need our North Cyprus graduate :-). Get ready for North Cyprus and immerse yourself in the rich treasure of art, history, food and drink that the northern part of the island of Cyprus has to offer. We'll help you. Let's go!
What you should know about North Cyprus: Ruins and Monastery
Check out the ruins of Salamis . It is probably the most famous ancient site in North Cyprus. It was built a long time ago by the Greek conquerors in the 11th century BC and was even used and expanded by the Romans. Both used this place as an oasis on their trade routes to the Middle East. The ruins bear witness to the social life of its time with theaters, baths and large halls.
The old town of Famagusta is another attraction in North Cyprus. It is surrounded by an old city wall. You will find many bars and restaurants in small alleys between old trees and also church buildings such as the St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Have you already seen the Soli ruins ? Near Morphou you will find further evidence of Roman influences on Cyprus. There are still the remains of a basilica, a theater and a bathhouse.
Now let's move on to another sight. The castle of Kyrenia was built by the Venetians in the 16th century and is perhaps the symbol of North Cyprus. In many pictures you will find the castle together with the harbor. From the elevated castle you will be able to admire the beauty of the recently modernized harbor and get an overview. There is also an exhibition here about the history of Cyprus and even the oldest shipwreck found in the Mediterranean is also here. The ancient merchant ship probably dates back to the 4th century BC.
One of the most beautiful villages in North Cyprus is Bellapais . Many visitors are delighted by this village and especially its abbey. This abbey towers above Kyrenia with a breathtaking view and is the heart of the village. To be more precise, the entire village was probably built around the abbey and the work of the monks. The architecture of the complex, built in the 13th century, is exceptionally beautiful. You can visit the complex for a small entrance fee and explore it yourself. In our book " North Cyprus Conversations " we have written extensively about this village and its stories.
There is another monastery in the far east. This one has Greek roots and therefore Greek visitors to the island in particular explore this Apostolos Andreas Monastery . This Orthodox monastery is located very close to the Karpas Peninsula in the far eastern tip of Cyprus. The monastery building dates back to the 19th century. We can especially recommend that you taste the water from the large central fountain or wash yourself with it. It is said that water cures illnesses.
Another monastery is St. Barnabas. This important religious and cultural center, probably dating back to the 5th century, is named after the Holy Apostle Barnabas. This Orthodox monastery complex still includes the church, the monastery museum and the tomb of St. Barnabas. It is said that he wrote an important written work - The Barnabas Bible. It seems to be so important that the Vatican is still keen to get its hands on it and keep it behind the walls of the Vatican. It is said that the contents of the Barnabas Bible would undermine the foundations of papal doctrine. Therefore, in the eyes of the Vatican, it must never be made available to the public. But where is this Barnabas Bible today? It is said that it is well hidden and kept in Turkey.
What you should know about North Cyprus: Castles and Beacons
We would also recommend you visit the following castles. The time from October to Easter is particularly suitable, as it is not too warm during these months to climb them on foot.
The first castle we would like to introduce is St. Hilarion. This castle was like a fairytale castle. Today, unfortunately, it is almost completely ruined and only a few buildings still withstand the weather. Situated on a ridge between Kyrenia and Nicosia, St. Hilarion offers a spectacular view and overview of the entire island. After some restoration and excavations, the towers, courtyards and tunnels of the castle can now be visited again. The entire complex is very extensive. This castle got its name from the Christian ascetic Hilarion from Gaza. He settled on this mountain and became famous for his works and deeds. The castle was built later and still bears his name today.
Buffavento Castle is also a medieval fortress, majestically perched on a mountaintop in the Five Finger Mountains. The castle dates back to the 11th century and was known as the most menacing prison of its time. Originally it was also a place of jousting, celebrations and a lavish castle life. But in the hard years of Henry II's reign, the castle's joy was pulled.
Kantara Castle is a fortress further east. It dates back to the Byzantine period and offers spectacular views in all directions and over the Mediterranean Sea. The fortress is easily reached by hiking about 3 km from the village of Kantara.
Incidentally, the castles of St. Hilarion, Buffavento, Kantara and also the castle in Kyrenia were a perfect warning system for the island. When threats from the sea were imminent, the population could be warned by the beacons and signal smoke from these castles across the entire island. However, all of the castles came to an abrupt end in the Genoese era. In their view, the defense and warning system of the beacons had served its purpose. The castles were no longer modern enough for them and were more of a threat from within in the event of possible uprisings. They therefore demolished all of the castles, rendering them unusable and uninhabitable. This also explains the decay and current state of all of the castles. However, we are now seeing tendencies towards preservation and partial reconstruction for visitors and guests from all over the world.
What you should know about North Cyprus: Cities and places
Which cities and places in North Cyprus do we recommend visiting? What are the most popular places in North Cyprus?
Inland is the capital of both the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. Nicosia is the last divided city in the world. Nicosia is divided into the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north. It is absolutely exciting to visit the historic old town with its narrow and winding streets, traditional houses and impressive buildings, such as the Selimiye Mosque and the large hammam.
Famagusta, Bafra and Iskele are located on the southeastern coastline of North Cyprus. The contrasts couldn't be greater. Nowhere else do North Cypriot modernity and historical sites meet as unexpectedly as in this region. The contrasts between high-rise buildings and old buildings do not yet create a harmonious picture. Nevertheless, life is in full swing here and it is a popular holiday magnet for many people.
Let us now turn to the towns and villages on the northern coastline of North Cyprus
Kyrenia , also known as Girne, is a growing and bustling but still charming port town. Almost every visitor to North Cyprus will stroll along the newly restored port and through the old town. The town has a picturesque old town centre with narrow streets. The hustle and bustle is always restless but not hectic. Tourists are not harassed and can have a lovely day in Kyrenia. The many restaurants and bars tempt you with their traditional food. Perhaps you have some time for a short or longer boat trip along the coast. This view from the sea is a very special experience. You can see the town of Kyrenia and the mountain range of the Five Finger Mountain behind it. Especially at sunset you can discover other beautiful sides of North Cyprus.
Further east of Kyrenia is the town of Esentepe . Esentepe means something like "windy mountain". Once a sleepy coastal town with many surrounding pristine beaches and idyllic landscapes, it has turned out to be a popular place for holidaymakers and expats alike. Esentepe is particularly popular with Germans. Of course, you will also find important archaeological sites here in Esentepe, including ancient ruins and tombs from Roman times. But more importantly, you will find an almost perfect environment for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of North Cyprus.
Bahceli is a picturesque place further east along the north coast of North Cyprus. Bahceli has become interesting for many visitors due to its beautiful bays and beaches. There are still few water sports here, but we guarantee that this will change quickly. The area around Bahceli is surrounded by the mountains in the south and lots of green hills. This is not the only reason why Bahceli, which means something like "garden", has...
Tatlisu is another quiet village, further east along the road. Tatlisu is still a sleepy little place with a relaxed atmosphere. There are impressive olive groves, citrus trees and other agricultural activities. A lot of investment is being made here in Tatlisu. The roads are being renovated and expats are settling here because it is a great place to enjoy nature. Tatlisu means something like "sweet water".
On the other side of Girne is Lapta. West of Kyrenia, North Cyprus is also very beautiful. Lapta is a thriving coastal resort with a wealth of leisure activities. The area is known for its first class 5 star hotels, resorts and restaurants. Lapta also offers some beautiful beaches and is a popular spot for water sports such as snorkelling, diving, sailing and jet skiing. There are also historical sites in the area such as Lapta Castle which provide an insight into the rich history of the region.
What you should know about North Cyprus: Leisure
The Turkish Republic of Cyprus offers excellent potential for leisure activities due to its topography and climate. There are still many things that are not available on the island. Perhaps this is even your opportunity to find a job of your dreams here.
But there are already a lot of possibilities. We can think of the following things, which definitely cannot be complete
Water sports (sailing, motorboating, kitesurfing, wingsurfing, surfing, diving)
Land sports (horse riding, tennis, golf, paddle tennis, badminton, basketball, football, hunting and horse riding)
Winter sports (in the Republic of Cyprus there is a small ski resort in the Troodos Mountains)
Nature (hiking, jogging, cycling, swimming, bathing)
We personally expect the range of leisure activities to grow exponentially. The people who will demand a lot of leisure activities are now here. The number of holidaymakers is increasing sharply. Anyone who offers a leisure service in their field will find an interested audience.
These were the topics of "The North Cyprus graduate - Part 1". Follow Part 2 and find out more.
sincerely
Samira & Marten
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