Monastery of St. Barnabas

Famagusta, Rd. Salamis-Famagusta

Attractions in North Cyprus The Monastery of St. Barnabas is located in a beautiful secluded place between the suburbs of Famagusta - the city of Engomi and the ancient settlement of Salamis. Despite a modest and very discreet appearance, it is considered the most important Christian pilgrimage of Northern Cyprus.

Castle of St. Hilarion

Kirenya, Saint Hilarion Castle

Attractions of North Cyprus According to legend, the castle of St. Illarion was founded by an Egyptian monk, one of the first Christian bishops. Long wandering around the Cypriot lands, the monk sought solitude for prayers and reclusive life. Finally, the heart led the traveler to the slopes of the Kyrenia range - a picturesque place.

Lala's Mosque of Mustafa Pasha

Gazimagusa, Sk Mahmut Celaleddin

Attractions of North Cyprus In the past the mosque of Lala Mustafa Pasha was called the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. This is one of the most striking examples of medieval architecture in Northern Cyprus. It was built after the model of the Reims Cathedral in France.

Museum of the Ancient Ship in Kyrenia

Girne, Kupdemir Sk., Kyrenia Castle

Attractions of North Cyprus On the North Cyprus inside the Kyrenia fortress is stored an ancient vessel - the oldest of ships, ever raised from the seabed. The age of the vessel is very honorable - more than 2500 years. Like a mosaic, the ship was recreated from 6000 individual parts, covering the seabed along the coast of Kyrenia.

Northern Cyprus - the last untouched corner of the Mediterranean - is ready all year round to please the visitors of the island with the gentle sun, soft beaches and mysterious monuments of antiquity. It is a young country with an unprecedentedly powerful cultural heritage and the richest natural potential. On the lands of North Cyprus ancient cities, ancient castles and fortresses, temples of Orthodox and Muslim architecture have been preserved. All this in combination creates a unique and unique atmosphere, which is famous for Northern Cyprus.

The northern coast of the island crowns the old city of Kyrenia, recognizable by its charming horseshoe-shaped harbor. Next to it stands the ancient Kyrenia fortress - one of the brightest sights of Northern Cyprus. By the way, behind the fortress walls is the famous Museum of an antique ship with one single exhibit in the form of the ship itself. Of all the ships ever raised from the seabed, this is the oldest.

Northern Cyprus - the last untouched corner of the Mediterranean - is ready year-round to delight visitors of the island with the gentle sun, soft beaches and mysterious monuments of antiquity.

Far beyond the city limits stretches a magnificent coast, secretly recognized by the Riviera of Northern Cyprus. The shoreline of the northern coast is decorated with olive groves, palm trees and the Beshparmak mountain range, which runs along the entire island in parallel to the shore. In the mountains of Beshparmak, near Kyrenia, there is another amazing sight of North Cyprus - the castle of St. Illarion - the most picturesque fortress of the island. From the height of the fortress, the beauty of the landscapes of North Cyprus opens up again.

To the east of the city there is a cozy village Bellapais, which means a wonderful world. Well, Bellapais really shows the guests of the city a wonderful world - a world of poetry, classical music and exceptional architecture. It is here that the most significant architectural masterpiece of medieval architecture is located - the Bellapais Abbey, which harmoniously fits into the bohemian entourage of the village.

However, the main tourist region of the country is still considered the eastern coast of North Cyprus, headed by the beautiful city of Famagusta. It is in this part of the island, along with the magic beaches, the best natural attractions are concentrated. From here, cruises to the Karpas peninsula start, excursions to the ancient city of Salamis, as well as numerous tours to the holy places of Northern Cyprus.

The most visited Christian monastery, perhaps, can be called the monastery of St. Barnabas .However, recently the monastery has turned more into a secular tourist place: nowadays the museum of icons works in its walls .But, despite this, on weekends and holidays, bells continue to beat here and celebrate solemn services .And the brightest monument of Muslim architecture is the Lala Mustafa Pasha mosque, the former St. Nicholas Cathedral .The beautiful Gothic façade of the cathedral has long been strengthened in the role of the unspoken symbol of Famagusta and the whole of Northern Cyprus .

It should be noted that the ancient lands of the island are currently only partially explored. So, North Cyprus keeps in its bowels more than one mystery of history.