Nicosia, Cyprus - Hotels & Holidays

As the capital of the island, Nicosia is the political, economic, and cultural head of Cyprus. According to the constitution of Cyprus, the municipality of Nicosia was divided into a Greek and Turkish sector with two Mayors, one of the Greek Community, which was the majority, the second representing the Turkish community.
Many vacationers spend their holidays in Nicosia because it is located in the center of the island and has a rich history which can be traced back to the Bronze Age. It became capital of the island in the 11 century A.D. Today, the city is a blend of its historic past and a modern city. The old part of the city is dotted with museums, ancient churches, and medieval buildings. The newest parts of the city have modern buildings and industrial areas. The new Nicosia developed outside the walls became a contemporary business and cultural center.
The two main streets of old Nicosia, Ledra and Onasagorou, are lined with hotels and shops of every type, and both are pedestrian only. Although the city has been destroyed several times by conquerors, there are still enough vestiges to enjoy the past. History is most strikingly experienced at the Venetian city wall, which was built between 1567 and 1570. The 4 meters thick wall had in the past three gates. The Famagusta Gate is now used as a cultural centre. Some other parts of the wall contain administrative offices.
The center area of Nicosia, Cyprus, is named is Eleftheria Square (Freedom Square) and it contains the city hall, a few luxury hotels nearby, the main post office and the National Library. The adjacent Ledra street leads to a more lively part of the old city with narrow streets, boutiques, and many coffee shops. Agia Fanomereni is a church built in 1872. Here lay the remains of the Archbishop and the other bishops who were killed by the Ottomans during the 1821 revolt. The Palace of the Archbishop can be found at Arkhiepiskopos Kyprianos Square. Although it appears very old, it is in fact an imitation built in 1956. Next to the palace is the late gothic St. John Cathedral, built in 1665, with picturesque frescos.
Beside its luxury hotels, Nicosia, Cyprus, is also known for its fine museums. The Archbishop's Palace contains a Byzantine museum where the holiday makers can admire the largest collection of religious icons from the island. Other interesting museums include the Folk Art Museum, National Struggle Museum (witnessing the rebellion against the British administration in the 1950'), Cyprus Ethnological Museum and the Handicrafts Centre. Nicosia Jewels Museum and the Municipal Arts Center are also well worth to a visit.
"Levention" Museum, with an imaginative presentation of capital's history, was awarded in 1991 with the title "European Museum of the Year" and it is the only historical museum from Nicosia. Not to be missed is Cyprus Museum, housing the island's most important collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures, from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period. Important museums are also the State Collection of Contemporary Art, and on the other side of town, just off the main Limassol road, the Cyprus Handicraft Centre. Another award winner is city's renovated "Pyli Ammochostou" (Famagusta Gate), one of the original entrances to the old city, which won the "Europa Nostra" award for its restoration. Not far away, many old churches can be found and visited during holidays.
During the Ottoman rule of the island in Nicosia were also built mosques, like Selimiye Mosque. This ancient church is the main mosque in the northern sector of Nicosia, so the festival of Bayram and other Moslem gatherings are conducted here. This mosque was once the cathedral of St. Sophia, built in the period 1209 to 1228 A.D., over the ruins of a previous building. Other famous mosques are Haydarpasha Mosque and Arabahmet Mosque.