It is some cities in the world, not few in number, have rightly or wrongly loaded the reputation of «difficult» destination - either due to turbulent modern history that continues to… turbulent events, either because of lack of cohesion and beauty to the urban fabric-but, nevertheless, when the episkeptesai, usually for a reason other than that of leisure travel, you will discover that wronged by reputation, not because we find irresistible beautiful, but because you will discover in them an interest that was not fantazosoun and over very close to the beauty of the concept - a magic, which translates differently in the minds of different people. One of these cities are Nicosia.
Without astonishing beauty, without much coherence to the urban fabric and without compelling architecture in buildings and public places - except one's old town-but full of history, reflected in highly interesting museums and historical sites, with superb cuisine, lively nightlife and - above all, extremely interesting people, the capital of Cyprus is a living museum, which manages to sygkinisei even those - and we fully endorse this view-not interested ever for any museum.
Starting from the central Eleftheria Square, in the southwest edge of the walls built in 1567-70 by the Venetians, in an attempt to refuse the Ottoman invasion in the city, the road by starting all tours is a beautiful pathway, the road Lidras -- which owes its name to the name of the island in antiquity. Full of life every hour of the day and night, Lidras hosts countless shops, café, bars, restaurants and shopping malls operating as a pole of attraction for locals and visitors.
The pathway leads to the Green Line - the rest are street Lidras «hidden» behind the walls, the Turkish Cypriot side of the city. At the end of the road, the Museum - Observatory Lidras giving visitors the opportunity to see the last of the floor, using telescopes, the whole northern part of the city. For a more comprehensive view, the passage of the border made by the famous hotel Ledra Palace, the Dragon Marco Avenue, which today are based UN forces. Two hundred metres from the passage of the Ledra Palace, the Roccas Bastion has been known mainly as the only point where the UN security zone almost disappears and the Greek and the Turkish side of the city only minutes away.
The perionymi Democratic neighborhood, which is considered the most beautiful part of the Old City, is the anastylomeno piece - and, of course, what attracts most tourists. Have full small shops with souvenirs, picturesque cafes and restaurants, slated as a whole and with a breeze past eras, it seems prima facie «touristikopoiimeno», we'll magnitisei But for more than you can imagine - especially if you sit for «a quick Coffee »occur and chat with the locals.
In the square Archbishop Kyprianou, the building of the archdiocese, more known as the Palace of the Archbishop, imitation Venetian building, with its giant statue of Archbishop Makarios in the courtyard area, is one of the attractions of the city diasimotera ς. The Cultural Foundation Makarios houses three exhibition spaces, the European Art Gallery, the Hall of the Greek Revolution and the Museum of Byzantine Art.
Very located near the Church of Saint John, the Ethnographic Museum, which housed in a building of the 15 th century and hosts exhibits, which include, among other things, traditional costumes, folklore and folklore paintings, and the Museum of National Struggle, documents, photographs and articles about the National Liberation Struggle against the British (1955-59).
Of particular interest is the Museum of Cyprus, the contribution of highways and Homer Museum, near George Square Llount, which are unique archaeological finds, including the famous statue of Aphrodite and the giant statue of the emperor Septimou Sevirou discovered in the Kythrea 1928.
The three gates - the traditional inputs of the walls of the old-city of Famagusta Gate in the east of Paphos Gate to the west and Portal Kyrineias north of interest not only for their particular architectural style but also for their history. The most well, Portal Famagusta, in Athena Avenue, is now used as synafliakos and exhibition space. Very near the gate is built in 1450 church of Panagia Chrysaliniotissas, the oldest Byzantine church in the city, famous for its collection of rare images available.
Other interesting sights of the Old City is built in 1570 Bairaktari Mosque, the point from which the Ottomans invaded the city, opening cracks in walls, the bastion Constanza, the anastylomeno Mansion of George Chatzigaki, dating from the 18 th century and a superb sample architecture of the era, the Mosque Omeriye, in Trikoupi Street and the Catholic Church Timiou Cross, in Paphos highway, the back side of which lies within the belt of the UN in the Turkish side of the city - and which operates under the condition the back door remains always closed.
The New City, although far fewer visitors gather, is the modern side of Nicosia - what anarcha structured, with bulky concrete buildings and glass towers, but full of life, robustly and endless opportunities for recreation. Citation and central route is the Makarios Avenue, which gathers and a large percentage of shopping centres and shops in the city. Despite the fact that it is particularly apt for sightseeing - and also that there perpatietai no easily-New City deserves as much of your time, you can spend, if anything not to leave the impression that the Nicosia lives trapped in time Far from modern development and the hectic pace of life.
Because really, what impresses first and foremost the visitor of the Old City is the dream, almost apokosmi, silence prevailing within the walls. This was indeed not in any case due to lack world, who Invasion constantly, but probably inspires respect the history of the place. Otherwise not explained. Following are the people hospitable, courteous, always ready to diigithoun stories, enough to want to listen.
Somewhat so, together with the narratives for the trip-history lesson, and the myth was born a city which, despite its reputation on the difficult destination, hang in the minds of the visitor who arrives here for a short business trip and leads to return again and again. Usually without being conscious of what exactly is it that nostalgei - because, as we say at the outset, the «magic» of each town means different things to different people. For some it could mean something quite vague. Otherwise what would be magic?
Accommodation
Directed mainly to the business traveler, Nicosia has a plethora polytelestaton hotels, but few economic options. From the top proposals, the 5-star Hilton Cyprus offers all the luxurious amenities you expect from the name Hilton - two restaurants, bar, gym, outdoor and indoor swimming pool, 4 tennis courts and squash and polytelestata standard and executive rooms and suites-in prices start at 200 euros.
Excellent choices are the Centrum Hotel, in the Democratic neighborhood, with fully equipped rooms, impeccable service and free wireless access to the internet, and Classic Hotel, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with minimal decoration, excellent benefits and elegant rooms at prices ranging from 97 per night for a double room.
Economical option is Tony's Bed & Breakfast (Solonos 13) in the city centre, which offers small rooms for about 50 euros.
Food and fun
What is certain is that in Nicosia, as much as we try, to exclude non-eat well. The local cuisine is outstanding and options to enjoy endless. Our favorite, the roadside at the end of the road Lidras, very close to the Green Line, serving traditional snacks leading live music until the early morning hours. Local tastes will enjoy and Tavern Zanettos (Trikoupi 65), in the Steki Loxantras (Faneromeni 67), the ambient Erodos (Patriarch Gregory 1) and 1900 Paei Weather (Pasikratous 11-15).
In the unlikely event that bore the local delicacies, the city also offers a large variety of choices in international cuisine, from which distinguish the Chinese Dragon (Digenis Avenue George Griva) and the Lebanese Abu Faysal (Clement 31).
For xenychtia your options are anything but limited. We recommend the bar Sfinakia (Santaroza 2) for authority and for the continuation Club Cilo (Archbishop Makarios 52), Zoo (Stasinou 15) and the all time classic Taj Mahal, which seems quite - but beyond, in our humble opinion-the corresponding Athens.
