Famagusta (Magusa) & the Karpas (Kirpasa) Peninsula - Cyprus - page 382

The tower's name stems from a vague link to Shakespeare's play Othello, which has a
modest stage note referring to 'a seaport in Cyprus'. Above the citadel's impressive en-
trance you'll see the Venetian Lion inscribed by its architect, Nicolò Foscarini. Leonardo
da Vinci also apparently advised on the refurbishment of the tower during his visit to
Cyprus in 1481.
The gorgeous mix of Venetian and Lusignan architecture inside is a prime highlight of a
visit here. The internal courtyard is bordered by the Great Hall, with beautiful vaults and
corroded sandstone walls on its far side. Ventilation shafts look out to the border ramparts,
leading to Lusignan corridors and sealed chambers. Legend has it that fortunes still lie
hidden here, buried by Venetian merchants in the face of the advancing Ottomans.
o Lala Mustafa Paşa Camii MOSQUE
(St Nicholas Cathedral; MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Erenler Sokak; h outside prayer times) F
The former Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos (St Nicholas) is the finest example of Lusignan
Gothic architecture in Cyprus, built between 1298 and 1326. Modelled on France's
Cathedral of Reims, it out shines its sister church, the Church of Agia Sofia (now Selimi-
ye Mosque) in North Nicosia (Lefkoşa).
Converted into a mosque ( camii in Turkish) after 1571's Ottoman invasion, it still dom-
inates the skyline of the Old Town. To enter, time your visit outside of prayer times and
dress modestly.
During the Lusignan reign the church was Famagusta's centrepiece. As such, the last
Lusignan king of Cyprus, Jacques II, and his infant son (Jacques III) were buried here.
The church was damaged considerably during the Ottoman siege of Famagusta and its
twin towers were destroyed. The Ottomans added the minaret, stripped the church's interi-
or of its Christian accoutrements and emptied the floor tombs.
The west-facing facade, now a pedestrian zone, is the most impressive part, with three
gracious portals pointing towards a six-paned window, decorated with a circular rose.
Inside, the walls have been whitewashed in Islamic fashion, but the soaring Gothic ar-
chitectural lines are still easy to follow.
Palazzo del Provveditore HISTORIC SITE
(Venetian Palace; MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Namık Kemal Meydanı)
The ruined arches and supporting columns (taken from Salamis) of the Palazzo del
Provveditore sit opposite Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque. The triple-arched entranceway is the
best preserved part.
Namık Kemal Prison MUSEUM
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Namık Kemal Meydanı; adult/child 5/3TL; h 9am-2pm Jun-Sep, shorter hours rest of year)