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NCP24 · SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Nicosia (Lefkoşa)
Discover 16 historic landmarks, museums, monuments and cultural attractions in and around Cyprus’s capital.
Places to discover
16 LOCATIONS01
City Gate
Famagusta Gate
- 1567 Venetian gateway (Porta Giuliana)
- Part of star-shaped city wall fortifications
- Dome now used as cultural center
- Formerly linked Nicosia to the east coast
- Venue for exhibitions and performances
02
Medieval Stone & Architectural Museum
Lapidary Museum
- Housed in a 15th-century Venetian-style guesthouse
- Collection of medieval stone carvings, columns, tombstones
- Features coats of arms, Gothic tracery, Venetian Lion of St. Mark
- Artifacts curated during British colonial period by G. E. Jeffery
- Renovated and opened as a museum in 2003
- Notable for its Gothic window from the Lusignan Palace
03
Gothic Cathedral/Mosque
Selimiye Mosque
- Former St. Sophia Cathedral (13th–14th c.)
- Converted into mosque by Ottomans (1570s)
- Former coronation church of Lusignan kings
- Blend of Gothic and Islamic architecture
- Iconic twin minarets and high vaults
04
Church/Marketplace
Bedesten (St. Nicholas Church)
- 14th-century church turned Ottoman market hall
- Originally Byzantine, rebuilt in Gothic style
- Mixed Christian-Muslim cultural history
- Now used for art exhibits & concerts
- EU-funded restoration in 2009
05
Historic Covered Bazaar & Local Market
Bandabuliya Market
- Originally built in 1932 during British colonial rule in North Nicosia
- Traditionally the city’s central marketplace for fresh produce, spices, and local goods
- Now hosts stalls selling souvenirs, crafts, textiles, and Cypriot delicacies
- Renovated and reopened in 2012 as a cultural and commercial space
- Also used for exhibitions, cultural events, and performances
- Notable for its vibrant atmosphere and preserved colonial architecture
06
Caravanserai
Büyük Han
- 16th-century Ottoman inn (1572)
- Traditional shops and local artisan studios
- Cafés around central courtyard fountain
- Art galleries and cultural exhibitions
- Restored as a cultural hub
07
Ottoman Public Bath / Historical Bathhouse
Büyük Hamam
- Built in the 16th century on the foundations of a medieval Lusignan church in North Nicosia
- Served as a central Ottoman-era hammam for the local community
- Features typical bathhouse sections: soğukluk (cold room), ılıklık (warm room), hararet (hot room)
- Characterized by domed ceilings, marble basins, and stone interiors
- Restored and reopened for cultural and touristic visits
- Recognizable by its sub-street-level entrance and preserved Ottoman architecture
08
Church/Monastery
Armenian Church & Nunnery
- 14th-century Gothic monastic complex
- Armenian Apostolic heritage
- Restored with Europa Nostra Award (2013)
- Armenian Genocide memorial on site
- Fusion of European and Eastern Christian styles
09
Ottoman Ethnographic & Cultural Museum
Derviş Paşa Ethnography Museum
- Located in an 1801-built Ottoman mansion in the Arabahmet quarter
- Features traditional Cypriot household objects, costumes, weapons, and crafts
- Two-storey mansion with stone base, adobe upper floor, Baghdadi bay window
- Former residence of Hacı Ahmet Derviş Efendi, publisher of Cyprus’s first Turkish newspaper
- Converted into an ethnographic museum in 1988
- Highlights include the inner courtyard and restored period interiors
10
Personal & Historical Museum
Dr. Fazıl Küçük Museum
- Former home, clinic, and office of Dr. Fazıl Küçük, first Vice-President of Cyprus
- Showcases personal belongings, medical tools, furniture, documents, and photos
- Includes his original study, clinic equipment, and a police motorcycle
- Also housed the Halkın Sesi newspaper office and TMT resistance HQ
- Opened as a museum in 1997, restored in 2016
- Preserved authentic interiors with historical memorabilia
11
Museum (Tekke)
Mevlevi (Dervish) Museum
- Former Sufi lodge of the Mevlevi (Whirling Dervishes)
- Displays on Sufi music, rituals, and lifestyle
- Spiritual and cultural heritage site
- Active from 17th century until 1950s
- Now a museum with dervish artifacts and tombs
12
City Gate
Kyrenia Gate
- Venetian-built gate (1567)
- Later renovated by the Ottomans
- Leads to the northern Kyrenia region
- Tourist info center inside
- Inscriptions from both Venetian & Ottoman eras
13
Museum of Turkish Cypriot National Struggle & History
National Struggle Museum
- Heritage: Chronicles Turkish Cypriot national resistance
- Exhibits: Weapons, flags, personal belongings, documents, statues
- Timeline: Founded 1982; new premises 2001; upgraded 2023
- Ambience: Multimedia, emotional props, Atatürk garden statue
14
Memorial Museum & Historical Site
Museum of Barbarism
- Set in the former home of Major Nihat İlhan in the Kumsal district, North Nicosia
- Commemorates the 1963 Bloody Christmas massacre of İlhan’s family
- Displays victims’ belongings, clothes, shoes, and personal items
- Features a bilingual historical timeline, interactive media, and memorial exhibits
- Originally opened in 1966, renovated and reopened in 2022
- The preserved bathroom with bullet holes remains a haunting focal point
15
Modern & Contemporary Art Museum
Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts
- Features over 8,000 modern artworks from 14 Turkic states
- Includes paintings, sculptures, glass art, coins & stamps
- Established in 2018; new grand building under construction
- Hosts exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops
- Notable for its diverse cultural collections and large-scale exhibits
16
Automotive History Museum
Retro Car Museum
- Displays over 150 classic and vintage cars from various eras
- Features rare models, including a 1903 Crestmobile and historic Rolls-Royces
- Includes military vehicles, motorcycles, and unique prototypes
- Opened as part of the university’s cultural institutions
- Highlights include well-preserved classics and a replica of Atatürk’s official car