Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
painters. Lawrence Durrell, author of
Bitter Lemons of Cyprus,
taught English at the
school for several years in the 1950s.
Omeriye Mosque
MOSQUE
Originally the Augustinian Church of St Mary, the Omeriye Mosque dates from the 14th
century. The tall minaret can easily be spotted some distance away; the entrance to the
mosque is about halfway along Trikoupi. Today the mosque is used primarily as a place of
worship by visiting Muslims from neighbouring Arab countries. Non-Muslims may visit
as long as they observe the general etiquette required - dress conservatively, leave shoes
at the door and avoid official prayer times.
Faneromeni Church
CHURCH
Built in 1872 on the site of an ancient Orthodox nunnery, this is the largest church within
the city walls and is a mixture of neoclassical, Byzantine and Latin styles. The
Marble
Mausoleum
on the eastern side of the church was built in memory of four clerics ex-
ecuted by the Ottoman governor in 1821, during the newly declared Greek War of
Independence.
Panagia Chrysaliniotissa
CHURCH
The church of Panagia Chrysaliniotissa is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and its name
means 'Our Lady of the Golden Flax' in Greek. It's considered to be the oldest Byzantine
church in Nicosia and was built in 1450 by Queen Helena Paleologos. It is renowned for
its rich collection of old and rare icons.
Laïki Yitonia
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Laïki Yitonia, meaning 'popular neighbourhood', was restored after it served for many
years as an area for painted ladies and dodgy merchants. This tiny southern part of the Old
City is Nicosia's only tourist area. This means it's full of bad restaurants with tacky water
features, where waiters try to lure you in with cheesy greetings and the food is often over-
priced. However, it's still pretty and pleasant enough for a short stroll.
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has an office here, and you can stock up on
most maps and other tourist brochures free of charge.
Famagusta Gate
HISTORIC SITE
