The heart of Northern Cyprus
Architecture - history
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (Famagusta)
Construction of the original St. Nicholas Cathedral began in 1298 and was completed in 1326. Built in the Gothic style, the building was probably designed by a French architect, Jean Langlois, because it closely resembles Reims Cathedral. This assumption is also supported by the fact that the kings of Cyprus, between 1190 and 1489, came from the French House of Lusignan. Cypriot rulers were mostly crowned in this church as titular kings of Jerusalem after the end of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1291 until 1372.
Büyük Han
Büyük Han (literally: Big inn) is the largest caravanserai on the island of Cyprus and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings on the island. Located in the capital of Cyprus, it was built by the Ottomans in 1572, a year after they captured Cyprus from the Venetians. In the center of the open courtyard is a mosque with a fountain for ablution before prayer. It was the first city jail under British rule. After spending much of the 1990s undergoing restoration, the inn has been revived as a thriving arts center with a number of galleries and workshops. There are also plenty of courtyard cafes and gift shops.
Kantara
Kantara Castle is a castle in northern Cyprus. The name of the castle comes from the Arabic word "kantara", which means a bridge, and which it probably got because of its location: from the castle you can see both the northern and southern coasts of the Karpaz peninsula. This gave the castle its strategic importance: the entire peninsula could be controlled from Kantara. The castle was built by the Byzantines during the Arab attacks on Cyprus around the 10th century. During the 13th century, the Frankish rulers of the Kingdom of Cyprus fortified the castle. In 1525, during the Venetian rule, the castle was abandoned, according to records from 1562, it was already in ruins by that time.
Kyrenia Castle
Kyrenia castle at the eastern end of Kyrenia's old harbor is a 16th-century castle built by the Venetians over an earlier Crusader. Within its walls is a 12th-century chapel displaying reused late Roman capitals and the Shipwreck Museum. Kyrenia has existed since the 10th century BC. Excavations have revealed Greek traces dating back to the 7th century BC, but the site was developed into a city under Roman rule.
Mevlevi Tekke Museum
The Mevlevi Tekke Museum is located in North Nicosia. Historically used by the Mevlevi Order, it currently serves as a museum. It is one of the most important historical and religious buildings on the island. It is located next to Kyrenia Gate on Girne Avenue in İbrahimpaşa district.
Gastronomy
Halloumi or haloumi
Halloumi or haloumi is a traditional Cypriot cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk, sometimes cow's milk. Its texture is also called squeaky. It has a high melting point, so it can be easily baked or grilled, which makes it a popular meat substitute among vegetarians. Lactose (mostly vegetarian or microbial) is used to coagulate the milk in the production of halloumi, although no acid-producing bacteria are used to make it.
Meze
In Turkey, meze often consists of: beyaz peynir (literally "white cheese"), kavun (sliced ripe melon), acılı ezme (hot peppers, often with walnuts), haydari (thick strained yogurt with herbs), patlıcan salatası (cold eggplant salad ), beyin salatası (brain salad), kalamar tava (fried squid or cuttlefish), midye dolma and midye tava (stuffed or fried mussels), enginar (artichoke), cacık (yogurt with cucumber and garlic), pilaki (food cooked in a special sauce), dolma or sarma (grape leaves stuffed with rice or other stuffed vegetables such as bell peppers), Arnavut ciğeri (liver dish, served cold), octopus salad, and çiğ köfte (raw meatballs with bulgur).
Zivania or Zivana
Zivania or Zivana is a Cypriot pomace brandy produced by distilling a mixture of grape pomace and local dry wines made from Xynisteri and Mavro grapes. The name zivania comes from the word zivana, which means pomace in the Cypriot Greek dialect. Zivania is colorless and alcoholic with a slight raisin aroma. Its alcohol content varies, 45% is typical. According to the law, the alcohol content of zivania cannot exceed 60% and it does not contain sugar or acidity.