Nicosia
Nicosia, (Lefkosia), the capital of Cyprus, one of the oldest cities in our part of the world, today is a sophisticated and cosmopolitan place in the Eastern Mediterranean, rich in history and culture and combines its historic past with the amenities of a modern city.
The heart of the city, within the 16th century Venetian walls has a number of interesting Museums and art galleries , Byzantine churches and a number of medieval and neo-classical buildings and the narrow streets retain the romantic atmosphere of the past. Much of the charm and beauty of Nicosia is to be found in the old city with its labyrinthine alleyways and elegant courtyard houses. Outside the walls the new city with its modern facilities is a cosmopolitan centre of a modern European capital.
Nicosia, (Lefkosia), is also the last divided capital of Europe, is home to lavishly decorated churches and the island’s foremost museums. Among them are the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, the Ethnographic Museum , the Byzantine Museum, the Museum of the National Struggle, the State Gallery of Contemporary Art, and the House of Chatzigeorgakis Kornesios.
The old walled city of Lefkosia is unique and definitely the place to head for first. Encircled by strong fortress walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the enchanting old city is scattered with buildings and monuments of historical interest as well as shops, cafes and tavernas. Its pedestrian section, “Laiki Geitonia”, has been carefully renovated to evoke the atmosphere of past days.
In the countryside you’ll find ruins of the ancient city kingdoms of Idalion and Tamasos near the villages of Dali and Politiko respectively. One may also visit the Fikardou village which has been declared as a monument and was awarded the Europa Nostra award in 1987.
The Birth of Nicosia
The legend of the birth of Aphrodite, emerging through the foam of the sea waves, can be compared to the geological birth of Cyprus, in that the island rose from the ocean. The nucleus of this phenomenon is the mountain range of Troodos, which is 92 million years old. The rocks of Troodos were created from the ancient oceanic bark, which started rising from the sea 10 million years ago. First emerged from the sea the Troodos massif on to which limestone sediment began to attach gradually leading to a drop in the depth of the seas. The last to become attached was the Pendadactylos range to the north of the Troodos massif.
Nicosia emerged from the sea 1.8 – 5 million years ago. The emergence of Nicosia joined the Troodos and Pendadactylos mountain ranges and created the Mesaoria plain. This is how the island of Cyprus was created.
For further information please visit the website of (Lefkosia) Nicosia Municipality: http://www.nicosia.org.cy