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Tag-Archive for » famagusta «
Othello’s Tower (Othello Kalesi)
Built in the 14th C by the Lugisnans in order to further protect the port of Famagusta, it was strengthened and restored by the Venetian Nicola Foscari. On top of the entrance there are engravings of the Lion of St. Mark, the name Nicola Foscari and the date 1492. Othello’s Tower is said to be the setting for Shakespeare’s Othello.
Namık Kemal Museum (Namık Kemal Müzesi)
Situated in the garden of a Venetian palace, the only door of this dungeon opens into the garden of the palace. The famaus Turkish playwright Namık Kemal, once a newspaper editor in 19th C London, was exiled to Cyprus upon staging of his play ”Vatan yahut Silistre” (Motherland or Silistre) in ıstan-bul on April 1, 1873. Kemal was exiled to Cyprus and imprisoned in this cell. It has henceforth been known as the Namık Kemal Dungeon and Museum.
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (Lala Mustafa Paşa Camii)
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas, built by the Lusignans between 1298 and 1312, is a stunning example of a Gothic Cathedral an Cyprus. The Lusignans held the coronation ceremony for the Kings of Jerusalem in this cathedral. During Ottoman rule the cathedral was transformed into mosque, without harming its original shape, with the simple addition of a minaret. It was renamed in honour of the general who led the 1571 invasion of the city.
The St. Barnabas Monastery (St. Barnabas Manastırı)
St. Barnabas of Cyprus, was killed by his compatriots and his corpse was hidden in an underground cave to the west of Salamis. The corpse remained hidden of many years, its whereabouts unknown. In year 432, Bishop Anthemios saw the grave in a dream and has the place excavated. Byzantium made a donation for a monastery to be built on the location of the grave and bestowed autonomy on the Church of Cyprus. The monastry, built in 477 AD, houses an icon museum today.
Salamis Ruins (Salamis Harabeleri)
According to Greek mythology, the city of Salamis was founded by Teucer on his return from the Trojan wars. Another story has it that it began in the late 11th C BC after the fall of the nearby city of Alasia. The spectacular present day ruins are only 8 kms north of Salamis is said to have been built by the tribes who moved to Cyprus from Anatolia and Greece towards the end of theni Bronze Age. Salamis, which was the capital of Cyprus in the centuries to come, was severely damaged during the earthquakes of 76 and 77 AD. Constantine rebuilt the city in the 5th C AD and the city once again. However, after Arab raids and more earthquakes in the 8th C, the city was completely deserted.
