Nicosia Favorites

Favorite thing: Walking across the border, the south dont bother much, in or out. The north ( if you EU ) require a little form with name , passport number, and nationality, in or out.In the picture the red box is the south office, the dirty blue sheeting is covering the derelict no mans lane buildings, The little roundabout with the decorative poles has nothing to do with the border.

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Favorite thing: South Nicosia is the greek part of the capital - rich, modern - but not very much vibrant - especially in the day. At night it is lively and busy, so it is a little more charming. It also offers more restaurant opportunities than in the northern part.

Fondest memory: Sights are not as impressive as in the northern part, desite some nice greek ortodox churches. I had my best moments early in the morning, when it was still sleepy and quiet. When aggressive car drivers hit the road, it becomes a little bit hellish.

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Favorite thing: North Nicosia, the turkish part of the capital, is pure heaven... as soon as we walked across the border and enter it, we were perfectly happy... friendly people and faces, smiling at us, kids playing on the streets, less traffic than in the Greek part.

Fondest memory: The northern part is a lot poorer and many houses, especially in the immediate area of the border, badly damaged - yet with families living in them. Despite this "state of despair" we found plenty of interesting attractions to see, makets, mosques and even a restored caravanserrail - and many friendly cafes where to sit and have some chai.

Favorite thing: Archbishop Makarios statue is an imposing bronze statue which was erected outside the Archbishop's palace in Nicosia to commemorate his life. Makarios III was the archbishop and primate of the autocephalous Cypriot Orthodox Church (1950-1977) and first President of the Republic of Cyprus (1960-1977).

Favorite thing: Ayia Sophia Cathedral is now the Selimiye Mosque. It was originally constructed during 1209 and 1228. The Kings of Cyprus were crowned here until the Venetians took control of the island in 1489. This ancient building is the chief mosque in Cyprus.

Favorite thing: The Turkish Cypriots use the divided part of Nicosia as the capital of an internationally unrecognized (except for Turkey) state known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The population of the part of the city under the control of the Republic of Cyprus is 270,000. As everything changed from 1974 when Cypriots forced to abandoned their homes after the Turkish invasion, this part of the city seems to be very different from the other.

Favorite thing: 'Pyli Ammochostou' - Famagusta Gate - is one of the original entrances to the old city, which is renovated and which won the Europa Nostra award for its restoration. Many old churches are to be found in this part of town, and other places of interest.

Favorite thing: To walk through the old city is to step backwards in time. Narrow streets and old houses with ornate balconies jut from weather beaten sandstone walls, smell of jasmine flowers in those long summer evenings, and craftsmen in small workshops practice trades unchanged for centuries. 'Laiki Yitonia' - Folk Neighborhood - is a pedestrian section, which has been carefully renovated to evoke the atmosphere of past days.