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Famagusta

Famagusta

Famagusta, known locally as Gazimağusa or simply Mağusa, was the most important port city in Cyprus. The naturally deep harbour attracted ships, merchants and traders from all over the Mediterranean and made the city flourish with wealth. This wealth inspired merchants to build lots of churches and led to the city bing known as “the district of churches”. At one time Famagusta was said to have a church for every day of the year, each one paid for by someone hoping to buy their place in heaven.

Every turn in this city reveals churches with a story to tell. Today, the area boasts some of the most impressive medieval ruins anywhere in the world. The contrasting Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, fascinating for its gothic cathedral exterior as it was once a church, has since been converted into a mosque. A 3km walk along the Venetian walls which encircle the city, offers a wonderful insight to its history.

One of the ancient City Kingdoms of Cyprus, Salamis is home to fantastic Roman ruins, containing statues, standing columns, theatre and baths. Fortresses that inspired William Shakespeare, defence models drawn by Michelangelo, Venetian Palaces inhabited by royals, hidden treasures yet to be discovered, excavated tombs with miraculous revelations, and much more. Famagusta is famous for its opulent history and a hot spot for travellers.

Famagusta is a vibrant town with a lot of history. It’s a good mix between city life and beach life, as the city centre is close to the beach. If you need a balance between both, it’s definitely the place to be. There are many cafés, restaurants, bars and patisseries in the centre. The oldest, and arguably the best, university in Northern Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean University, is also located in Famagusta and is close to the city centre - another reason the city is as lively as it is. Also here is Othello's Castle, which takes its name from Shakespeare’s “Othello.” Just like Karpaz Peninsula, Famagusta is rich in religious history. St Barnabas Monastery is here. It’s dedicated to Barnabas, the patron saint of Cyprus. There is also an iconography museum next to the monastery. The beaches in Famagusta are gorgeous, with golden sand similar to the beaches in Iskele. In the Maras area, you can find Palm Beach, a relaxed place full of palm trees. For a livelier atmosphere, there’s Bedi’s Beach, which has been completely renovated by young Cypriots to be turned into a beach bar. During summer, they organize themed music events. Bedi’s Beach is next to the ruins of Salamis, the remains of an ancient Greek city. The theatre of the Salamis Ruins is still used for concerts and cultural events. Salamis has hosted the local symphony orchestra of Northern Cyprus as well as international stars such as Lara Fabian, Julian Marley, The Wailers, and Boney M.

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