Historic places in Nicosia

Historic places in Nicosia

1. See

   Archbishop's Palace and St. John's Cathedral

   The residence of the Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus. It's built in neo-Byzatine style and finished in 1960. Not open to the public, but viewable from the outside. Next to the palace are the old palace, as well as St. John's cathedral, the main church of Cyprus, constructed in 1662 on the site of a former Benedictine monastery. On the palace grounds are also the Byzantine museum and the National Struggle museum.

2. See

   Cyprus Folk Art Museum

   Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus

   Now housed in the old Archibiscopric Palace, the museum holds more than 5000 exhibits of folk art: clothing, tools, pottery, artwork and paintings. In the museum shop there are traditional handicraft for sale, and the museum cafe has traditional drinks and snacks.

3. See

   Cyprus Museum of Natural History

   Museum showcasing the animal life of Cyprus and the Mediterranean, including mammals, marine life, insects and fossils. There's also an exhibition about dinosaurs, as well as mammals from North America.

   Mon-Fri 08:30-13:00·Free entrance

4. See

   Cyprus Police Museum

   Learn more about the history of law enforcement on the island. On display are police equipment from different periods, and items and documents related to infamous crimes and 20th century conflicts. The museum was opened in 1933 in the main police station, and got its own dedicated building in 2004.

   Mon-Fri 09:00-13:00·Free entrance

5. See

   Cyprus Postal Museum

   Presents the postal history from the Venetian era, and has a very large collection of stamps.

   Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00, Sat 09:00-13:00

6. See

   Faneromeni Square

   An important historical square dating from Venetian times, and until 1974 considered the heart of the city. Faneromeni square is surrounded by historical buildings and monuments such as the Faneromeni Church, Faneromeni School, Faneromeni Library, and the Marble Mausoleum.

7. Do

   Hamam Omerye

   In the heart of the old town within the ancient Venetian walls. Find your way to the 'Ohi' Round about, then head straight all the way until you find the Omeriye Mosque on your right - you can't miss it. Turn right here and the Hamam Baths are on your left. 14th-century building restored to operate once again as a Turkish bath. The site's history dates back to the 14th century, when it stood as an Augustinian church of St. Mary, built by the Lusignan (French) and later maintained by the Venetians. In 1571, Mustapha Pasha converted the church into a mosque, believing that this particular spot is where the prophet Omer rested during his visit to Lefkosia. Most of the original building was destroyed by Ottoman artillery, although the door of the main entrance still belongs to the 14th-century Lusignan building, whilst remains of a later Renaissance phase can be seen at the north-eastern side of the monument. Couples on Mondays, men only Tu Th Sa, women only W F Su. €20/two hours, including towels, disposable underwear, tea, and sponge.

8. See

   Holy Mother of God Cathedral

   Surp Asdvadzadzin Church

   To replace the main church of Nicosia's Armenian community which was left on the Turkish side, the Surp Asdvadzadzin Church was built and opened in 1981. It's the only church built in traditional Armenian style on Cyprus, and around it there are also other monuments related to the Armenian community, like the Armenian Genocide Monument, a marble khachkar (Armenian cross stone) and several statues.

9. See

   Ledra Observatory Museum

   Shacolas Tower Museum and Observatory

   The Shakolas (older Nicosians know it by its former name The Mangli) building sticks out like a sore thumb in the medieval old city. To reach the observatory you have to go into the Debenhams shopping complex which is right in the middle of Ledra street, a mini skyscraper of 12 floors, towers over other buildings not rising higher than 2-3 floors. On its penultimate floor you find the observatory, where it's possible “to see” the division of the island. There is a café up on the sixth floor which also has some nice views which you can enjoy should it be quiet, but usually there are paying customers sitting at the best viewpoints. Entrance to the observatory on the 11th floor is a low €2.50 so it's a must-see.

   Daily 10:00-20:00·€2.50

10. See

    Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage

    A numismatics museum with hundreds of coins on display, from ancient to modern spanning nearly 3,000 years of coinage history on the island.

    Mon-Fri 08:00-14:30

11. See

    National Struggle Museum

    Documents the history of the Cypriot independence movement (1955-1959), with a rather positive spin on the EOKA guerrilla movement.

    Daily 08:00-12:00·€1

12. Do

    Tennis

    Cyprus plays its home Davis Cup matches at the Field Club. Clay courts line the moat that was once covered with water protecting the city from medieval invaders. It has a colonial feel to it. Again, if you are lucky you might catch Marcos Baghdatis playing for Cyprus.

13. See

    The Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum

    Privately owned, this is the only such museum on the island and is tucked away in the medieval city. On display are about 150 classic (mostly British) motorcycles dating from 1914 to 1983.

    Mon-Fri 09:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00, Sat 09:00-14:00

14. Do

    Zena Palace Cinema

    One of the oldest venues, has escaped the bulldozer by a thin film.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nicosia (CC BY-SA 4.0).