North Cyprus has a rich history dating back over 10,000 years. Some key points from the document:
- North Cyprus has an area of 3,355 km2 and a population of around 265,100 people, mostly Turkish Cypriots.
- Archaeological sites show a long history of settlements dating back to the Neolithic era 10,000 years ago, and ancient kingdoms from 13th century BC.
- Major historical cities include Enkomi, Soli, and Salamis, the largest ancient city built in 1150 BC by a Trojan war hero.
- Christianity arrived in 45 AD when St. Paul and St. Barnabas brought the religion to Cyprus. St.
4. Demographics of Cyprus
Area : 9,251 km2 (3,572 sq mi)
North Cyprus : 3,355 km²
South Cyprus : 5895 km²
Coastline : 329,86 km (204,96 mi)
Highest point : Selveli Tepe (1,024 m )
Capital city : Nicosia
Population : 265,100 Turk (as of 2006)
Ethnic groups : Greek Cypriots , Turkish Cypriots
6. The remains of the 13th
Century BC Kingdom
reveal how the people’s
daily way of life and
worshiping was. Most
findings are kept in the
British museum in London.
Enkomi is the oldest city
found in North Cyprus with a
heritage that goes back to
13th, 8th, 7th and 6th
Centuries BC
7. Soli City goes back to 6 th
Century BC with its
breathtaking mosaics,
basilica and the print of
Judaism in Cyprus
The city of Soli was rebuilt and protected by the first Jews settlers,
the supporters of Cleopatra III
Gold Bracelet of The Quinn
8. Salamis was the largest city kingdom in
Cyprus built by a Trojan war hero Teucer in
1150 BC.
9. The Sun Mosaics where
St. Paul, accompanied
by St.Barnabas, first set
foot on Cyprus
Born and raised in Salamis as
a Jew, St.Barnabas brought
Christianity to Cyprus in 45
AD with St.Paul
10. St. Paul & St. Barnabas
brought with them St. Mathew’s
last Script to be found some 300
years later where St. Barnabas
was buried. It was then sent to
Istanbul where it is still kept.
Thus the Church of Cyprus was
granted independence and
Christianity started to spread.
St. Barnabas Monastery was
built next to his tomb and now
it is the largest archaeological
Museum in North Cyprus
11. St.Mamas, was the Patron Saint of
animals after his astonishing entrance
to the town of Güzelyurt holding a lamb
and riding on a lion. The Church built in
the 18th Century houses the oldest
icons on the island. Next to it countless
numbers of historical Potts & jewelry
are displayed in the archaeological
museum.
12. Hala Sultan (Umm i Hiram) was
Prophet Mohammad’s aunt who
came to Cyprus around 647- 649
AD to spread Islam. The Tekke
was built by the Ottomans in the
18th Century.
Mevlevi Tekke, Built in the 17th Century, The
followers’ teachings emphasised the
individual soul's separation from God during
earthly existence, and the power of Divine
Love to draw it back to the infinite on death.
The Tekke was ordered to be closed during
the Ataturk Administration of Modern Turkey.
Then, it was allowed to reopen to worshiping
during the British rule. It is now the
ethnographic museum in Nicosia.
13. Weekly Program
Day 1 :
Meet at the airport,
transfer to the hotel in
a comfortable
luxurious bus.
14. You May Choose the same program with
accommodation in Different Cities.
15. Day 2: Famagusta Trip
Our visit will start at St.Barnabas Monastery, Tomb &
the archaeological museum.
Continue to the Ancient Largest City Kingdom of
Salamis with its vast marble columns.
Visit the Old city of Famagusta surrounded by
colossal Venetian Walls.
Return to the hotel,
dinner and
overnight.
16. Day 3 : Round Kyrenia
We will start our trip by
visiting the Panoramic St.
Hilarion Castle built by the
Crusaders after their lose
of Haifa in 1291.
Our next site is the 12th
Century Bellapais Abbey
which will take us to the
medieval era.
Return to the hotel for
dinner & overnight.
17. Day 4: Free day for Relaxing & Exploring
Enjoy the coast and take a walk along the sandy
beach.
Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
18. Day 5: East Of Kyrenia with Kantara Castle
We will visit Kantara
Castle, nesting at the hills
to control the entrances to
Karpaz Peninsula &
Mesaoria plain was built
by the Byzantines against
the raiding Arabs.
Continue to Yeni Erenköy
and visit a local house,
see how they make local
cheese and bread
followed by Lunch . Walk
through the village.
Return to our hotel for
dinner & overnight.
19. Day 6: Capital of Cyprus “Nicosia”
We will start by visiting the capital
of North Cyprus, Nicosia. Pay a
visit to the Mevlevi Tekke to
observe the Whirling Dervishes &
the Stonework Museum.
See Dervish Pasha mansion.
Visit the Great Inn built in the 16th
Century as a Caravan Saray.
Stopover to appreciate the gothic
art at the Selimiye Mosque, “St.
Sophia” .
Visit Arabahmet Mosque.
Return to hotel & overnight.
20. Day 7: Service at the Church &
Kyrenia city
Start by attending the
local church for services.
Continue our drive to
Kyrenia City, one of the
most picturesque towns in
the Mediterranean for site
seeing.
Visit Kyrenia Castle where
one of the oldest
shipwrecks is housed.
Dinner & over night at the
hotel.
21.
22.
23. Day 8: Return Transfer
Leave the Hotel for your return transfer.
HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON AT THIS
LOVELY ISLAND…