Northern Cyprus is rich in history and has many archaeological sites, historical monuments and museums

Nicosia The ancient city of Nicosia (Lefkosa in Turkish), is now the world’s only remaining divided capital city and is the administrative capital of Northern Cyprus.

The ancient city has undergone a period of loving restoration in recent years to preserve its beautiful architecture and vibrant culture.

The historic centre is a maze of winding streets and alley ways with shops, restaurants and tavernas. It is surrounded by the ancient city walls which remain virtually intact and it is possible to walk part of the perimeter and see the ancient entrances to the city such as the famous Famagusta Gate.

Karpas Peninsula Stretching out towards Turkey to the north east of Cyprus, the Karpas peninsula or ‘panhandle’ covers a substantial part of the island and extends to 80 kilometres in length and up to 20 in width.

Birds, flowers and wildlife flourish in this unspoilt corner of the Island which has rich subterranean water reservoirs, lush farmland and some beautiful and deserted beaches.

The area’s small villages are architecturally rich with some remarkable churches and mosques that illustrate the diverse history of Cyprus. Most of the Karpas region is accessible, although a full day will be needed for serious exploration of the peninsula.

Salamis The remains of the city of Salamis lie north of Famagusta at the base of the Karpas Peninsula. Salamis was the capital of Cyprus as far back as 1100 BC, and, during its heyday, survived the successive occupations of the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, and Romans.

The site is a mile square and is still largely unexcavated. Early archaeological finds include gold coins dating from 411 to 374 BC.

Museums There are a number of interesting museums which preserve the many diverse aspects of Northern Cyprus’s fascinating history.

Visit The Folk Arts Museum or The Icon Museum in the harbour town of Kyrenia. In Nicosia, there is a Byzantine and Archaeological Museum with a vast collection of treasures from the ancient world and a number of small art galleries in the old city’s winding streets. There are also museums featuring Cypriot pottery, terracotta, clay, stone sculptures, bronze and jewellery.

St Hilarion Castle St Hilarion is perched high in the Kyrenia mountains, with views across the surrounding countryside to the Mediterranean. It is a beautifully preserved Crusades era castle which is believed to have inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. The castle is named after a hermit and monk who lived on the mountain where it stands in the 7thcenturyAD.

Kyrenia Castle Kyrenia Castle lies at the entrance to the town’s famous harbour and stands guard over the port. The castle is fantastically preserved and is home to Northern Cyprus’ shipwreck museum. The castle, as it stands today, was built in the 1500s but there is evidence of a fortiication on the site dating back to Roman times.

Kantara Kantara castle sits lower in the Kyrenia Mountains, at the entrance to the Karpas Peninsula. It dates back to the 13th century and was taken over by the Venetians, only to be abandoned in 1525 because it was too remote. The word “kantara” means arch in Arabic, and the castle is built on one, making it accessible only from one direction.