Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The central courtyard has a
mescit
(Islamic 'chapel') in the centre, which is balanced on
six pillars over a
şadrvan
(ablutions fountain). This design is found only in this inn and
two others in Turkey.
o
Selimiye Mosque
MOSQUE
North Nicosia's most prominent landmark, which is also clearly visible from the southern
half of the city, is the Selimiye Mosque. This strange-looking building, a cross between a
French Gothic church and a mosque, has a fascinating history. Today the mosque is a
working place of worship and you are able to go inside. Try to time your visit either just
before or just after one of the five Muslim prayer sessions.
Work started on the church in 1209 and progressed slowly. Louis IX of France, on his
way to the Crusades, stopped by in 1248 and gave the building process a much-needed
shot in the arm by offering the services of his retinue of artisans and builders. However,
the church took another 78 years to complete and was finally consecrated in 1326 as the
Church of Agia Sofia.
Until 1570 the church suffered depredation at the hands of the Genoese and the Mame-
lukes, and severe shakings from two earthquakes in 1491 and 1547. When the Ottomans
arrived in 1571, they stripped the building of its Christian contents and added two min-
arets, between which the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish flags now flutter. The Gothic struc-
ture of the interior is still apparent despite Islamic overlays, such as the whitewashed
walls and columns, and the reorientation of the layout to align it with Mecca. Note the or-
nate west front with the three decorated doorways, each in a different style. Also look out
for four marble columns relocated from Ancient Salamis and now placed in the apse off
the main aisles.
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Bedesten
CHURCH
(St Nicholas of the English;
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
; Arasta Sk;
h
10am-1pm Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat, 2-5pm Wed)
Renovated as part of the Nicosia Master Plan, the imposing Bedesten dates from the 6th
century, when it was built as a small Byzantine church. It was grandly embellished in the
14th century and reborn as a Catholic church.
More recently, at a cost of two million EU-funded euros, this magnificent building has
been restored to its former glory and was recognised, in 2009, with the prestigious Europa
Nostra Award for cultural heritage.
After the Ottomans' arrival in 1571, the church was used as a grain store and general
market but was basically left to disintegrate. The north doorway has some splendid look-
ing coats of arms originally belonging to noble Venetian families. These families may
