Welcome to Nicosia

Nicosia - or 'Lefkosia' as it is called in Greek - is the capital city of the modern Republic of Cyprus and the largest city on the island. Greater Nicosia is probably the only area in Cyprus that can boast continuous habitation since the beginning of the Bronze Age from around 2500 years BC. Since then, Nicosia together with the rest of Cyprus has been the target of - welcome and unwelcome - foreign visitors.

Nicosia has the distinction of being the last divided capital in the world following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974; this is the latest chapter in a turbulent history that can be traced back to ancient times.

After the Arab raids in the 6th century AD and the pillage that ensued in the coastal cities, people moved to the centre of the island in the Mesaoria plain and the mountainous areas. Nicosia had probably become the centre of administration and the island's capital as long ago as either the 9th or 10th century; it acquired a castle and was the seat of the Byzantine governor of Cyprus. The last Byzantine governor of the island was Isaac Komnenos who declared himself emperor and ruled the island from 1183 –1191.

As King Richard the Lionheart (of England) and his fleet were on the way to the first Crusade in the Holy Land, one of his ships put into Limassol and his fiance Verengaria of Navarre was taken prisoner by Isaac Komnenos. Richard landed his army and having looted whatever he found on his way, laid siege to Nicosia. He finally met and defeated Isaac at Tremetousia. Richard became ruler of the island but sold it to the Templars for 100.000 gold byzantiums. Their seat was the castle of Nicosia. On Easter day, the 11th of April 1192, the people of Nicosia revolted and drove the Templars from the city. 

For today's visitor, it is perhaps the remnants of the walled fortifications that distinguish the appearance and layout of modern Nicosia. The Venetians ruled Cyprus from 1489 –1571 and Nicosia was their administrative centre and the seat of the Venetian Governor. The threat from the Ottomans was visible and in 1567 the Venetians decided to fortify the city, under the direction of architect and engineer Julio Savorgnano. He designed new fortifications according to prevailing 'best practice' defence methods. The heart shape design of the bastion was more suitable for the new artillery of the day and gave the defenders better control. The new walls were in the shape of a star with eleven bastions, considered to be the prototype of renaissance military architecture.

Moving ahead into the 21st century and looking back at the period since Venetian rule, Cyprus has been controlled by many foreign powers, the last being British colonial rule between 1878 and 1960.

With approximately 250,000 inhabitants, it is now home to nearly one third of the country's population. The city is the administrative and financial hub of Cyprus as well as the base for several universities, colleges and other educational establishments. It also hosts foreign embassies and an increasing number of international and offshore companies. Within the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, Nicosia is gaining importance as a Financial Centre, due in part to the favourable taxation regime enjoyed in Cyprus.

Across the centuries Nicosia has passed through the political and military 'management' of many foreign regimes. A visit to the Nicosia municipality website provides a fascinating insight to the chequered history of the city: www.nicosia.org.cy. This site also includes information about what makes this thriving multinational, commercial, cosmopolitan city 'tick'. There are excellent links to information about bars, restaurants, night clubs, transportation - and (English speaking) newspapers and broadcast media serving Nicosia and the rest of Cyprus with details of how to contact banks, local municipalities and government departments.

Nicosia is an 'alternate take' on a Cyprus that is more renowned for its sun-kissed beaches, watersports, and exciting nightlife scenes in Paphos or Agia Napa. The attractions in Nicosia and the surrounding areas present a fresh 'take' on the life and times of this region of Cyprus.

There is a comparative lack of tourists which makes the adventure arguably more worthwhile. Everything, from Nicosia Racecourse and Athalassa National Forest Park to the Cyprus Museum and Carlsberg Brewery, awaits exploration by the modern visitor. See www.hestia-holidays.com/places for more ideas of Places to see. A 'must do' is a visit to the Ledra Museum & Observatory on the 11th floor of the Shacolas Tower in Ledra Street - in the same building as Debenhams department store! This modern museum traces the history and provides an unhindered view - with telescopes - of the entire city across and into occupied Northern Cyprus.

In fact Nicosia is well endowed with a variety of city centre shopping facilities - Marks & Spencer, Body Shop being two examples. The most recent addition to the store of available retail therapy can be found at The Mall of Cyprus - www.themallofcyprus.com - which is only a few minutes drive from the southern motorway approach to the city. As well as Debenhams, there are other well known retail outlets and restaurants including NEXT, McDonalds, KFC, Carrefour, Zara and Accessorize plus a Cineplex multi-screen cinema. For those wanting to shop 'til they drop, the ultimate retail therapy is at the IKEA superstore next to The Mall of Cyprus - see www.ikea.com.cy

Nicosia is easily reached from across Cyprus via the excellent motorway network linking with the main towns of Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Paralimni and Agia Napa. It is also within easy reach of the Troodos Mountains. Larnaca International Airport is approximately 30 minutes away, with connections to the rest of Europe - including the UK, Scandinavia, Russia, France, Italy, Germany & Greece - and Middle Eastern / North African destinations such as Dubai, Damascus and Cairo. Limassol is the main port and point of entry for passenger shipping.

The approaches to Nicosia provide insight into the ancient heritage of the wider area. The Dali region, about 20km south of the city on the Nicosia - Larnaca/Limassol road, has traces of Ancient Dali, one of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus. The Byzantine church of Agioi Apostoloi can be seen at Pera Chorio; it has excellent examples of wall paintings dating back to the late 12th century. At Politiko village, 20km southwest of Nicosia in what was the rich ancient city-kingdom of Tamassos, excavations have brought to light the Royal Tombs and copper workshops associated with Aphrodite-Astarte.