Circle Day Tour to Kyrenia, Famagusta and Nicosia

Kyrenia Castle was built during the Byzantine period. Many additions were made in different centuries. The Shipwreck Museum is located in the Castle. It dates back to 300 BC. You will see the shipwreck, amphoras, almonds, olive, fig seeds, and many other things dating from that period.

Bellapais village takes its name from the Monastery. IThis is one of the nicest Monasteries located up on the Kyrenia Mountains which is in the village of the Bellapais. The village itself has unique houses and is also famous for its traditional sweets. The Monastery is located on the slope attached to a church. The Monastery was in use until 16 AD when the Ottomans came. Now the refectory is used as a concert hall for the classical music events all year round. The Sarchophage, Lusignan coat of arms, graffiti on the walls, and the arches are only some of the things that you can see.

You will see the beautiful Church and Monastery which is named after St. Barnabas. He was born in Famagusta and when he went to Jerusalem he believed in Christianity and came to Cyprus with St. Paul on their first mission. After Barnabas came to Cyprus and spread the religion he was killed by the unbelievers. His Tomb was found 422 years after his death. You will visit the Monastery , the Icon Museum, and His Tomb and listen to the history while you walk around.

The city walls of Famagusta are 3km long and the height is 15m. It was built by Lusignans and later additions were made during the Venetians. The walls were well protected and that is why it took Ottomans 11 months to enter the walled city of Famagusta.

It was built as a Cathedral in 1298-1312 by Lusignans. It was built as a Gothic type. Katerina Cornaro was crowned as the Queen of Cyprus coming from the Venetian blood who married the Lusignan King of James II. When Ottomans conquered the island minaret was added and it was converted into a Mosque. It was known as Magusa Ayasofya until the 1950s' and later it was renamed Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque.

Namık Kemal, the writer was sent to prison by Ottomans during Sultan Aziz's time. He is the person who named Famagusta as 'Magusa' in Turkish. We'll see the place where he was imprisoned.

It was named St. Peter & St. Paul Church. When Ottomans came in 1571 a minaret was added and was converted into a Mosque. First, it was named Sinan Pasha Mosque. later it was known as Bugday Camiisi. The top of the minaret has collapsed due to the earthquake which happened in the 18AD.

This is the outside of the Walled City of Famagusta. The word 'Varosha' means suburb in Greek. It is also known as a Ghost Town nowadays. A lot to see and a lot to tell about when we take a walk in the area.

One of the 3 Gates of the city walls of Nicosia. This is the only one which is located in North Nicosia. The original name is known as 'Porta del Providatore'. When the sun would set the guard at the Gate would close for security purposes and the next morning when the sun rose he would open the Gate. The people in the old days would use these Gates to go out of the walled city of Nicosia. 'Horoz Ali' was the last guard of this Gate who had passed away at the age of 128years.

This is a Cathedral which was built by Lusignans in Nicosia. t was named as St. Sophia Cathedral. During the Ottoman time, minarets were added and were converted into a Mosque. First, it was known as Lefkosa Agia Sophia and later it was renamed as Selimiye Camii.

It was built as a Kervansaray, named Buyuk Han. It was the biggest of 18 Kervansarays located in Nicosia. The place was built by Muzaffer Pasha in 1572. It was used like a hostel in those days. When the Gates of the city were closed after the sunset Kervansaray was the place where they would spend the night. In the 1900' s the doors of the Kervansaray were closed and the place was used as a prison. Nowadays it is one of the nicest attractions where people come and buy some handcrafts of Cyprus or they drink the local coffee and chat with their friends. It is located in the center of the traditional market center of old Nicosia.

The guests will have the local lunch in the restaurant of Bellapais

The driving distance is also included in the total duration of the tour between Nicosia, Kyrenia, and Famagusta