Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus and the largest on the island with a population in the southern sector of some 120,000.lt is the only sizeable inland town. and it houses the main government offices as well as the headquarters of many major local and international companies.

The defensive wall built by the Venetians in 1567 remains the prime feature and the unique shape of the wheel like fortifications provide a symbolic logo for the modem capital city and even the Greek Cypriot nation .Originally there were three main gates to the wall, Farmagusta, Kyrenia and Paphos, but the latter two have declined in importance. The Farmagusta Gate is now a cultural centre and the venue for exhibitions, lectures, plays and concerts. The beautifully restored vaults of the gate are worth seeing for themselves .Inside the walls are busy shopping streets and at the end of these streets is the so called "Green Line "- the demarcation line from the northern part which is under Turkish occupation.

Within the large area encircled by the strong bastion walls that served to protect the city for centuries are many places of great historical interest. Of particular note is the “Laiki Yitonia" (local neighborhood) a pedestrian section which has been carefully renovated to invoke the atmosphere of the olden days city with traditional houses and craftsmen working as they did 100 years ago.

Near the Municipal Gardens is the Cyprus Museum which holds the most important collection of Cypriot antiquities from the Neolithic Age. There is a beautiful statue of Aphrodite and amongst the many varied finds ~there is an exceptional collection of icons covering a period of 1000 years.

In 1964 the Greek and Turkish sectors of the city were separated and in July 1974 the Turkish forces invaded the southern sector and the Island has been divided ever since.

Related Pages

• About Cyprus
• Cyprus History
• Paphos Resort Information
• Shops
• Market
• Chemists
• Banks
• Latchi
• The Akamas Area
• The Troodos Mountains
• Limassol