A ghost town - this is what the once majestic Famagusta is now called. Cyprus is a beautiful and interesting island to visit. Amazing landscapes, a complicated, eventful story - all this attracts foreign tourists who want to look behind the curtain of secrecy, to better know the culture and traditions of this people. The history of Famagusta begins somewhere in the middle of the III century BC. e., when a small settlement was laid near the sea lagoon, the construction was commanded by the Egyptian pharaoh Ptolemy II and named after his wife Arsinoe. In 648, the city was renamed Ammochostos, which translated means "hidden in the sand."
During the reign of the crusaders Famagusta reached its peak. Cyprus at that time was a haven for warriors traveling to the Holy Land and returning. The port was located at the intersection of trade routes between Egypt, the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. From England to India, merchants knew about the city of Famagusta. Cyprus was one of the richest islands, so I could afford the construction of temples, fortresses, walls. After the victory of the Genoese, the city fell into decay, the Venetians gave it a new life, but not for long. In 1571, the Ottomans captured Famagusta, and the place fell into complete decline.
It is difficult to find a more depressing city than this one, but still tourists come at least briefly to Northern Cyprus. Famagusta is famous for its unique Gothic culture: to this day many temples, museums and palaces have been preserved here. All of them are worth visiting, so at least a day should be spent on sightseeing. Guides usually lead first to the museum and the Venetian Palace, then to St. John's Church. Many will like to visit the Greek Church of St. George, where the remains of cannonballs that destroy the walls are still located.
Separate buildings remind of former greatness and the role that Famagusta played in the development of the country. Cyprus was under the control of many peoples, which is clearly seen in its architecture. The fortress of Othello was built in the XIV century by the king of the Lusignan dynasty, its main purpose was to protect the port. A century later, the Venetians expanded the tower and turned it into an artillery base. Today, you can see the bastions and stone walls of the Gazimagus, Spanish and Ottoman cannons with cores.
It is also worth visiting one of the most impeccable buildings of the
Gothic style - the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, or the mosque of Mustafa Pasha. The temple was built in 1312, a
fig tree still grows near the entrance
, and many claim that it was planted during the laying of the foundation. Until 1571, when the cathedral was converted into a mosque, the rulers of the island were crowned in it. Opposite the temple is the royal palace, built in the 16th century. The ruins of the ancient city of Salamis are also hidden by Famagusta.
Cyprus (photo of attractions attracts many tourists) is one of the best places to stay. Stunning nature, amazing landscapes, unusual architectural masterpieces - all this is of interest to foreigners, so every year the island receives several hundred thousand guests from all over the world.