Browse Items (22891 total)

The Buyuk Khan, or great inn, now lying in the buffer zone in the divided city of Nicosia, was originally a medieval building. It was re-built after 1570 and adapted as a khan. In the middle is a vast courtyard surrounded by rooms on the ground and…

The Church of the Virgin Mary of Podithou, whence this wall painting derives, is in the village of Galata and dates from 1502 A.D. The Church belonged to a monastery. When the Russian traveller Basil Basky visited the Church in 1735 the monastery was…

The archaeological site of Choirokoitia has been a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. It is a well preserved settlement from the Neolithic Age. Remains from all phases of the Neolithic Age are evident in the settlement, providing an…

Hadjiavantis was a building contractor who undertook to build a house for the Pasha.He hired Karaghiozis, a master builder, and a number of labourers and artisans, yet the work did not progress fast enough and the Pasha was threatening Hadjiavantis…

Famagusta Gate is one of the three entrances into old Lefkosia through the Venetian walls. The eastern gate (Porta Juliana), known nowadays as Famagusta Gate, has been restored and operates as the Nicosia Municipal Cultural Center.

Kyrenia castle overlooks the small but beautiful horseshoe shaped harbour. Built as a fortress and never taken by assault it is one of the most ancient monuments in Cyprus and has the most colourful of histories. In 1191, it was surrendered to Guy de…

Hadjiavantis was a building contractor who undertook to build a house for the Pasha.He hired Karaghiozis, a master builder, and a number of laborers and artisans, yet the work did not progress fast enough and the Pasha was threatening Hadjiavantis…

Othello’s Tower

Tradition requires that gifts be exchanged during the Christmas period. Santa Claus brings the gifts on the eve of New Year. St. Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea had his name associated with carols, the gifts and the vassilopitta (type of cake),…

The best-known and richest monastery of Cyprus, Kykkos Monastery was founded in 1100 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It possesses one of three surviving icons ascribed to Saint Luke. It is covered in silver gilt, enclosed in a shrine of tortoise…