Cafer Pasa Camii
by leics
This mosque stands just back from the harbour (and very near my hotel). Its (now taped) calls to prayer ring out from the minaret five times a day. I could hear it clearly from my hotel room; very atmospheric, and strangely reassuring.
The mosque dates from 1589, although my guidebook suggests it may originally have been a carob warehouse. It's certainly old, although I was unable to visit inside during my stay.
You may be able to get in and have a look around. Dress appropriately and behave courteously if you do so.
Another Castle -Girne/Kyrenia
by ranger49
The Castle dominates the harbour and is one of the best preserved in the Levant region. It demonstrates again the building skills of the Byzantnie, Lusignan, and Venetian eras and their lust for power and domination. More recently, up until 1974, the British used part of the castle as a police training school and prison.
The Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum is housed within the castle walls, the most important exhibit being one of the oldest wrecks ever recovered from the sea. The ship is believed to be 2300 years old and was salvaged in1969 by an American university team. It was 47ft long and made from pine,coated in lead. The preserved timbers of the hull together with a full-sized replica of the ship, and exibits of items and containers carried can also be seen.
Go West! to Morphou (Guzelyurt)
by ranger49
There are plenty of place to visit west of Kyrenia and along the way you will pass some of the best golden sand beaches in the island. There was relatively little sea-side development 8 years ago but I have been told things are changing now.
We arrived in Guzelyurt, after a very pleasant coffee stop at an attractive small hotel restauarant in the Bay. It was obviously a popular place with off duty UN forces who we saw there having a swim in the clear blue waters.
We went first to the Market which had a real bazaar feel about it and bought some workaday leather goods - belts and shopping bags, all still in every day use. It is a sizeable town in the middle of a fruit growing area particularly citrus fruits.
We then went to a large and rather stylish restaurant nearly opposite the market for lunch. It was very good but we were embarrassed by the low cost. At that time millions of Turkish lira converted into toy money pounds sterling.
After lunch the sight-seeing. We dutifully went to see the monastery of Ayios Mamas, one of the very few examples of a Greek Orthodox church in northern Cyprus that still stands as a church, many have become mosques or put to other uses.
As we crossed the courtyard after leaving we had a view of a recently built mosque through the arch of the cloisters. There seemed then to be a harmony in the juxtaposition.....
Kyrenia - The most beautiful town in Cyrus?
by easyoar
Kyrenia is a staggering beautiful town on the North Coast of Cyprus. It also a more Mediterranian feel than any other part of the island. Kyrenia is decidely quaint, and has none of the hustle and bustle or larger towns or cities. You won't find a traffic-jam here!
The attached picture shows me standing on top of Kyrenia Castle with the classic view down into the harbour. The harbour makes for a great walk around, smelling the fresh food being prepared and looking in at the little souvenir shops. At the far end of the harbour you often find fishermen trying their luck. The pace of life here is really slow and it is a very relaxing place to visit.
Kyrenia is also the home to one of the oldest known shipwrecks in the world. This shipwreck is preserved within the castle and can be visited for a charge.
Sign in with Facebook
The harbour at Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus
Cafer Pasa Camii
Reconstructed cross-section
Harbour
