Exploring the Ancient City of Famagusta By Shereena Lingiah At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Famagusta is one of the best preserved medieval villages in the Mediterranean, with a history that rivals that of Carcasonne and Ragusa. Nowadays, the destination is a popular place for a holiday in Northern Cyprus although visitors can still spend time exploring the historical sights of the region.

Located to the north of Famagusta is the nearby village of Salamis which is said to have been founded in the 11th Century BC. In a country with a past as tumultuous as Cyprus the village was party to many outside influences but it wasn’t until 648 AD following a disastrous earthquake and raids from Arabian pirates that the village was finally abandoned. Nowadays Salamis is a popular destination with tourists taking a holiday in Northern Cyprus and the magnificent amphitheatre and well-preserved Roman baths give tourists a valuable insight into the historic past of the region.

Famagusta is still changing but it was in the 16th century that the beautifully preserved Gothic church of St. Nicholas was converted into the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque. The Medieval mosque was built in the 1300s and bears more than a striking resemblance to the great cathedral of Reims. On your Northern Cyprus holiday ensure that you don’t forget to stand under the ancient mulberry tree and make a wish, a tradition in Famagusta which has lasted centuries.

Fans of William Shakespeare will recall that his character Othello was sent down from Venice to fight the Turkish fleet in the 16th Century and Farmagusta’s Othello Castle is rumoured to be the place that he was stationed. The castle is heavily referenced throughout the play and according to legend it was where Christopher Moro, a high Venetian official, killed his beautiful but unfaithful wife, Desdemona, a story which inspired William Shakespeare to write Othello.

The St. Barnabas Icon and Archaeological Museum is well known for its extensive collection of religious icons but also houses a remarkable display of fine Roman glassware and gold jewellery. After exploring the museums ancient artefacts, there is a small café where you can sit in the monasteries gardens and enjoy cool lemonade. The highlight of the garden is a hybridised fruit tree which incredibly produces oranges, lemons and mandarins all from the same plant. Whilst on your Northern Cyprus holiday make sure that you explore the tomb of Saint Barnabas located on the monastery grounds. This destination is a pilgrimage point for Cypriots and Christians from the North and South of the island regularly journey here in order to make offerings to the saint.

Famagusta may have more than its fair share of historic destinations for you to explore whilst on your Northern Cyprus holiday but it is the beaches of the region that ensure it is a popular spot for tourists. Of all the beaches, Glapsides is the best known and also the busiest in the region. Popular with local university students the beach has ample facilities from a mini-mart to the dolphin bar located on the seafront. During the summer there are numerous dance parties organised on the seafront whilst throughout the year Glapsides remains the place to go for evening entertainment.

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