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Offered languages
- English
This guided walk offers a unique journey through the divided city, bridging its Greek and Turkish sides. We'll begin by stepping into the UN-controlled area, where the iconic Ledra Palace Hotel stands as a silent witness to history. Once a symbol of glamour, this bullet-scarred building now serves as a headquarters for UN peacekeepers.
From there, we will trace the infamous "Green Line," the UN-controlled buffer zone that bisects the city. You'll witness everyday life unfolding along this historic boundary, a powerful testament to the city's layered past.
Our path then leads us to the Selimiye Mosque, once the Cathedral of St. Sophia, a magnificent structure that tells the story of the city's complex heritage, we visit the historic Buyuk Han caravanserai and the lively indoor market, providing a glimpse into the daily life and culture of both communities. This experience is a powerful testament to the city's past, present, and the hopeful signs of a reunified future.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The address is Markou Drakou Avenue, 1102 Nicosia. The parking lot where we will meet is situated to the west of Nicosia. It is located near the Green Line, just before the Ledra Palace Checkpoint on the right side. On maps, add "Ledra Palace Crossing Point"
Ledra Street checkpoint
Itinerary
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1Buyuk Han
Cyprus’ best-preserved example of Ottoman caravanserai architecture. The Han was built to provide accommodation for travelers from Anatolia and other parts of Cyprus. Today the Great Inn has been revived as a thriving arts center, consisting of several galleries and workshops, and has once again become the hub of North Lefkosia's Old City bustle. Folklore dance shows, piano recitals, and drama displays are also common nowadays within the walls, and this attraction is a must-see when visiting Nicosia.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Selimiye Camii
We shall explore the most prominent landmark in Lefkoisa, the Selimiye Mosque, a cross between a French Gothic church and a mosque, its fascinating history stretches back to the 13th century. Selimiye Mosque historically known as the Cathedral of Saint Sophia is a former Roman Catholic cathedral converted into a mosque. It is the the largest surviving historical building in Lefkosia, sources claim it “may have been the largest church built in the Eastern Mediterranean in the millennium between the rise of Islam and the late Ottoman period.”
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Medieval Venetian Walls
You will see the Venetian walls and how they form a border around the Old City. They are so unusual that once seen on a map, they will never be forgotten as a design synonymous with the unique shape of this ancient fortification.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Kyrenia Gate
You shall witness one of the three gates in the Venetian walls that encircles the old city of Lefkosia, providing access to the city from the north. For over a thousand years, Lefkosia was a walled city, from the Lusignans through to the Ottomans. During the Renaissance era, the Venetians reconstructed great walls around the capital threatened by an impending Ottoman Empire.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
The Kumarcilar Han also called the Gambler’s Inn,it is also known as a caravanserai. Built around the end of the 17th century, it is much smaller and modest when compared with Büyük Han, but nonetheless typical of an Ottoman inner-city commercial inn. A monumental carved gate at the entrance dates to before the Ottoman conquest, and experts believe that the structure stands on a much earlier building, possibly the ruins of a monastery. This Han has been fully restored today and is used as an attraction with arts and craft shops.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
We shall walk around the Bedesten, one of the most important historical buildings in Lefkosia, reflecting the multicultural life and diverse past of the city. The Bedesten has a long history spanning more than one thousand years. Originally built as a church in about the 6th century, it was expanded and rebuilt between the 12th and 16th centuries and converted to a covered market during the period of Ottoman rule.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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