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Turkish Cypriot side of the Ledra Street crossing |
The northern part of Nicosia is the largest city and capital of
Northern Cyprus.
There are almost 83,000 people in the metro area.
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The Turkish part of
Lefkoşa is a bit more weathered than the
Greek Cypriot side. And for sure less expensive, with lots of discount shopping. The northern side also seems to have more of a historical feel.
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Büyük Han,
the Great Inn, was built by the Ottomans in 1572. It's the largest caravanserai on
Cyprus with 68 rooms and a small courtyard mosque in the centre. It was renovated in the 1990s and is now home to galleries, souvenir stands, and cafes.
Kumarcilar Han, the Gambler's Inn, was a caravanserai believed to have been built in the 17th century. The inn contained 56 rooms but is currently closed. The building is in a sad state of disrepair as there has been a shortage of funds for reconstruction.
Büyük Hamam is the local Turkish bath. The building used to be the Church of St. George which opened in 1309. In 1590 it became a Turkish bath. It was renovated in 2007-2008.
At Atatürk Square is the Venetian Column. The Venetians, who were here prior to the
Ottomans taking over, brought it here from Salamis in 1550.
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Haydarpaşa Mosque is in a Gothic building built in the 14th century. It used to be St. Catherine's Church before being converted into a mosque following Ottoman rule.
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The Selimiye Mosque was originally the St. Sophia Cathedral. The Gothic building was constructed from 1209 - 1228. In 1571 it became the largest mosque on the island. Although I'm not sure if it is still the largest or not.
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The Mausoleum of İttik Dede is the tomb of a nameless man who was martyred in 1570 when the Ottomans took over Nicosia.
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