History of North Cyprus

A solitary island in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has a rich history of visitors of seafaring travelers from neighboring countries and empires. From the Assyrians to the Egyptians, the Persians to the Romans, Cyprus has seen hordes of visitors disembark on her shores over the centuries – each leaving their distinctive mark on the varied landscape. However, in our time, it concluded of two parts; north and south divisions which North Cyprus under other supervision of the Turkish government.

Where did Cyprus start?

It was the early Middle Bronze Ages that saw the emergence of towns and trading centers, which helped build relationships with the surrounding nations. This growth trend continued through Hellenistic and Roman rule.

However, when the Roman Empire’s grip began to loosen and trade began to dwindle. And when the Byzantine Empire took control of the island and restored the province to its former glory, Cyprus saw its fortunes.
The next 500 years or so saw the island change hands through Richard the Lionheart, the French Lusignan family, the Venetian, and the Ottomans.

How did it flourish?

In the mid-19th century, after the opening of the Suez Canal, Britain took a vested interest in the strategically located island. Which saw many new roads, pipelines, crop irrigation, and built railways.
This alliance continued well into the 20th century with Cyprus’s independence being declared in 1960. This series of events lead to North Cyprus eventually declaring its independence from the south, in 1974.

From towering crusader castles to war-time museums, memorials to spiritual sites, architecture with elements of French Gothic and Renaissance, Latin churches, Armenian monasteries, and cathedrals converted into mosques with visitors from all over the world offering their devotion and prayers, discover the fascinating historical and religious inheritance of North Cyprus.

Historical sites in North Cyprus:

INSPIRATION TO WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE in Famagusta

Also known as Othello’s Tower, this famous construction was originally built as a moated citadel in order to protect Famagusta’s harbor and was the original main entrance to the town.

Initially named the Harbour Citadel, its origin back to the 14th century by the Lusignans who ruled the Kingdom of Cyprus, and members of the royal family and their servants have lived there. The tower was constructed around a central oblong courtyard with a square tower on each corner. A great hall, kitchens, storerooms, and servants’ quarters were located on the ground floor, and reception rooms and bedrooms were on the floor above.

Prior to its construction, there had been a tower and fortifications on the site built by the Prince of Tyre in the late 11th century.

CAPTURED ON THE THIRD CRUSADE in Kyrenia

If the grand fortifications of Kyrenia Castle could talk, it would reveal many tales.
The castle was first built by the Byzantines, possibly over the remains of an earlier Roman fort, in the 7th century to guard the city against the new Arab maritime threat.
Subsequently, every era of conquerors from Richard the Lionheart to the Ottomans has added its own touch to the castle’s bulk.

ANCIENT CITY BURIED UNDER SAND in Famagusta

Ancient cities can be a window into the past of human society and Salamis serves as a reminder of the great cities that existed in antiquity and an indicator of how far we have come in the past few centuries.

Salamis seems to have been the capital of Cyprus as far back as 1100 BC, in the late Bronze Age.
A large city located on the eastern side of the island north of Famagusta, it survived successive occupations by many dominant groups over the course of its history, including Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, and Romans, but eventually succumbed to the forces of nature.
Today this site extends over an area of one square mile extending along the North Cyprus coast and inland, revealing a glimpse back into a time whilst still hiding its core, buried and yet revealed.

There are surely more than these historical sites in North Cyprus which you find in your journey…

You can also know about educational system in North Cyprus here.

Source: visitncy.com