Lefkosa ( Nicosia ) is the capital city of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and seat of the island’s administration. This ancient medieval city is a complete package for your holiday destination on the paradise island. Lefkosa situated in the middle of the island in North Cyprus Turkish Republic ‘s capital. It is the most populous city of Cyprus and the most important center of culture, industry, trade and transportation. Nicosia is located 35 ° 10 ‘north, 33 ° 21’ east. The city is the only capital in the world divided.
The city has been a focal center of many empires and kingdoms wanted to conquer for centuries since the Bronze Age and there are many traces of these empires and kingdoms. Narrow and curved streets lead visitors to the thick city walls from the Cyprus Museum, which features Neolithic and Roman objects. Built by the Venetians in the 1600s, this wall separates the old part of the city from its modern district. Walk through the stone gates and step into a place where the past is still alive.
The city is divided into two parts called the Green Line . As de jure , the Republic of Cyprus has the administration of the whole city, but de facto dominates only South Nicosia . Northern Nicosia is under the domination of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The two sections are separated by a Buffer Zone under the administration of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force . 1960 The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus granted legal status to the Turkish Municipality of Nicosia.
The first name of the area where the city was located was “Ledra”. This name is also written as “Ledrae”, “Lidir”, “Ledras”, “Ledron” and “Letra”. Later, this city was destroyed and when it was rebuilt by Leucus, the city was called “Lefkotheon” (the city of white gods). This name was sometimes referred to as “Ledron”. Later, the words “Kermia” and “Leucus” were used for the city. In the 7th century, Hierocles, a Byzantine geographer, referred to the city in his book Synekdemos (Vademecum) as Lefkousia.
Attractions in Nicosia:
- Cyprus Museum
- History Museums
- Buyuk Han
- Machairas Monastery
- Pivo microbrewery
- Nicosia Open Market
