North Cyprus through my eyes

Hi! I'm Alena. This blog shows my vision of North Cyprus. I can give you a lot of reasons to visit this amazing island. I made a lot of journey here and I want to share my feelings with You :)

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Mediterranean Sea

The brightest sightseen of Cyprus is Mediterranean sea. It is the major reason to come here. Mediterranean sea washes such cities as Kyrenia, Lefke, Guzelyurt, Famagusta and Dipkarpaz, unfortunately capital city of Cyprus has no entrance to the sea, what makes it hoter than the other cities.

The best cities to relax, get tan and swim are Famagusta and Dipkarpaz, especially Golden Sands in Karpaz. The water in the sea is so pure that even you can observe every small stone lying on the bottom of the sea. The wonder thing that Mediterranean sea always can suit your mood. It has such a feature to change it condition from being calm to even become frightening sometimes. And everytime you surprised how the same sea is able to be so different.

In my opinion the most interesting beach in North Cyprus is Alagadi beach. It attracts the attention not only because of soft sand without any stones and dirty water but because it is a place where every summer turtles are nesting. Even when the time comes special guids are inviting everyone on the beach to watch how new born turtles are making thir first steps to the sea and sailing.

When you are lifting yourself up to the highest peaks of North Cyprus, such as plenty of castles in the mountains, you can see how endless and amazing the sea is. Turkish people call it Akdeniz, what means “white sea”, and it has a reason. It looks so infinit that mixing with horizont line and also you can see white haze far far away.

No adjectives are enough to describe how amazing is it.

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Parasailing

Almost every hotel in North Cyprus has such entertainment as parasailing. On a small yacht they take you away from the shore on a small distance. They give you the main instractions and lift you up to the sky, where you can observe the same island but now from the very height. You get unbelievable emotions, high adrenalin level and unforgetable feelings. 

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Boat trip

In Kyrenia on the Harbour street you can find a lot of offers to make a boat trip around the shore line of Kyrenia. The trip is not so expensive, actually it’s even cheap, due to the boat is enough capacious, it even has 3 floors, and usualy group of 25 people are taking it. During the trip the whole table of delicious sea food is offered, for those who likes to swim in crystaly pure water three stops are made. Totally it takes about 4-5 hours to enjoy the sea view on the yacht.

But the thing that i want to mention is please be careful with the sun and your desire to get a tan, take sun protector to not get sunburned, as it happend with us :(

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Besparmak Mountains

Besparmak means five fingers in Turkish. It’s unique shape is one of the iconic images of Northern Cyprus. Everyone that comes to North Cyprus for a holiday will have an image of the Besparmak etched into their memory for ever. It is a spectacular sight from all angles and always has a wow factor as it comes into view when driving along the coast road. The mountain itself is part of the Kyrenia Mountain range but also gives its name to the range. So when people talk of the Besparmak they can be refering to the mountain range or the mountain itself. The range itself is long and narrow and stretches for over 100 miles. There are many walks and rambles near and around the mountain. A particular favorite is the circular walk around the mountain.

The whole walk takes about two hours. It’s best to plan  the walk around a meal so at the end you continue onto the Buffavento Restaurant. It’s a great place for a traditional meze and kebab. It’s a big place so even when its busy you should always get a table. The best time of year for this walk is the spring time as there are many wild flowers and orchids to be seen, however the scenery is beautiful all year round and apart from midday in the height of summer its a great walk.

As you get to know Cyprus and its people you will realise that Cyprus has many myths and legends and the Besparmak is no exception.

One tells the story of a conceited villager who fell in love with the local queen and asked for her hand in marriage. The queen wished to be rid of the impertinent young man and requested that he bring her some water from the spring of Apostolos Andreas monastery in the Karpas, a perilous journey in those days. The man set off and after several weeks returned with a skin full of that precious water. The queen was most dismayed to see that he had succeeded, but still refused to marry him. In a fit of rage, he poured the water on to the earth, seized a handful of the resulting mud and threw it at the queens head. She ducked and the lump of mud sailed far across the plain to land on top of the Kyrenia mountain range, where it is to this day, still showing the impression of the thwarted villager’s five fingers.

When you are on your way on Besparmak mountains and for your luck it is rainy weather you can go through the clouds and even touch it, just like I did.

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Istanbul

Located in the center of the Old World, Istanbul is one of the world's great cities famous for its historical monuments and magnificent scenic beauties. It is the only city in the world which spreads over two continents: it lies at a point where Asia and Europe are separated by a narrow strait - the Bosphorus. Istanbul has a history of over 2,500 years, and ever since its establishment on this strategic junction of lands and seas, the city has been a crucial trade center.

When you are in North Cyprus don’t forget to have a small trip to Istanbul. There are a lot of things to explore even not less then in Cyprus and moreover it won’t take lot of money, just because all your spendings won’t disapoint your expectings.

The fing that impacted me the most is how such number of nationalities and cultures are combined and expressed in every piece of the city. You can see how people are free on the streets in their behaviour and how they are keen in what there are doing. Also all of them are very kind to every stranger and ready to help you. Such attitude to unknown people I’ve met just in Turkish culture (North Cyprus and Istanbul).

One more thing that is surprising me is how this nationality during the years and centures could save their arts and culture.

Also I noticed that only in turkish countries people treat animals with all their care. Only minorities stay indeffernet to hungry or ill cats and dogs. In my own experience I found that all the caffees and restaurants always feed them. That’s why the size of their looked so unnatural for me and even unbelieved for the first time.

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Karpaz Gate Marina

If you are on your way to Karpaz one of your must is to at least visit and spend 30 minutes observing Karpaz Gate Marina. Itself, Karpaz Gate Marina, is a modern hotel surrounded by the wild nature and mediterranean sea with the most expensive and beautiful yachts.

By the way the hotel gives you an opportunity to go to yacht trip to enjoy and see the views.

The best time to visit it is sunset time to see every ray reflected on the surface of the sea (especially when it is calm).

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Exploring Karpaz

We had a wonderful 2 days stay at Karpaz. We made a picnik and went to the Gold Sands. This is perfect desert island location.  The Karpaz peninsula stretches to cover the remainder of the north eastern shores of Northern Cyprus. The best way of exploring karpaz is by car, as we did, with golden sandy finest beaches, famous wild donkeys, historical and archaeological sites, Christian churches and traditional Cypriot villages. The Karpaz Peninsula is perfect for those who want to explore this fantastic area with hidden history.

Karpaz is like an open area museum with so many ancient towns, basilicas, monuments, Byzantine churches, tombs and ruins. The last and most significant site to see is the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas (St. Andrew), which is and its outbuildings are being renovated. 

In North Cyprus not only people want to show all their kindness but even the wild dunkes are ful of will to be in touch with you. They welcome you in the very beginning of your trip to Dipkarpaz.

The best way to find yourself or relax of city life and make unforgetable jorney is to visit and see the nature of Karpaz.

We also made a video about our unforgetable jorney :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlohXN3osWU

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Culture of Northern Cyprus

The culture of Northern Cyprus is the pattern of human activity and symbolism associated with Northern Cyprus and Turkish Cypriots. It features significant elements influenced by or developed upon the culture of Turkey, but combines these elements with a unique Cypriot approach and local traditions, as well as several other influences such as the British and contemporary western cultures.

The Lefkara lace is an important form of embroidery in Northern Cyprus and is celebrated nationwide. Before 1974, it was produced in the mixed village of Lefkara. After the invasion, it was brought to the north by Turkish Cypriot refugees, where it became popular everywhere and started being sold in the historic center of North Nicosia, in Büyük Han and Arasta. The lace is believed to be more than 700 years old and a synthesis of Venetian and Cypriot culture, and has 7-8 surviving forms.

The Lapta lace, also known as "hesap işi", is an exclusively Cypriot handicraft and is mostly practiced by Turkish Cypriots aroundLapithos. It is rooted in the 19th century and has unique patterns. "Koza işi", made from the silk cocoons of caterpillars, is another handicraft that is exclusive to Cyprus, where the cocoons are cut and embroidered in trays in unique designs.

Braiding together reeds, straws, branches of date trees and other branches to make baskets and ornaments is a common handicraft in Northern Cyprus. A unique product, traditionally braided by Cypriot women, is the sesta, which is a uniquely designed pan with original designs, made from the stem of a particular kind of wheat.[51] A traditionally important and symbolic handicraft in the Turkish Cypriot culture is the manufacture of chairs from reeds and straws. These chairs were traditionally ubiquitous in homes, where they were considered standard furniture. However, this handicraft is currently under the threat of extinction due to the competition from plastic chairs and meticulous work involved.

Traditional handicrafts in Cyprus are commonly taught and practiced by women's village courses, organized by the government and municipalities, and exhibited at cultural centers. There are also courses open to everyone, organized by municipalities, and some associations promoting and producing handicrafts. Most forms of embroidery, however, are still considered as women's work.

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Fine Arts of Walled City

The city has fine arts institutions at university levels, with the fine arts faculties of the Near East University and Cyprus International University. The universities contribute to the artistic culture of the city by participating in exhibitions and competitions, and students are involved in creating artistic depictions of Nicosia. In 2014, an arts and culture center in the Arabahmet region was reopened with the contribution of the Girne American University. In 2013, a new exhibition hall was unveiled in the Near East University, whose students participate in organizations abroad.

Photography exhibitions and competitions take place in the city, organized by the state and private institutions alike. Traditional handicrafts are also actively practiced, with exhibitions taking place.

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Nicosia. Old city.

North Nicosia or Northern Nicosia (Turkish: [Kuzey] Lefkoşa [kuˈzej lefˈkoʃa]) is the capital and largest city of the de factostate of Northern Cyprus. It is the northern part of the divided city of Nicosia and is governed by the Nicosia Turkish Municipality. As of 2011, North Nicosia had a population of 61,378 and a metropolitan area with a population of 82,539.

Following the intercommunal violence of the 1960s, the capital of Republic of Cyprus was divided between the island's Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the south and north respectively in 1963.[4][5] A coup by the Greek military junta in an attempt to unite the island with Greece in 1974 led to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and the international community considers North Nicosia to be under Turkish occupation since then.

At the center of the walled city lies the Atatürk Square, widely known as Sarayönü. The square has been dubbed as "the heart of Nicosia" and historically has been the cultural center of the Turkish Cypriot community, with the visiting Turkish prime ministers having delivered speeches before and during the conflict in Cyprus. It still hosts mass rallies during political campaigns and the headquarters of theNational Unity Party. In the middle of the square stands the Venetian Column, known simply as "the Obelisk" ("Dikiltaş") to the locals and symbolic of the country's government. The column was brought from the ancient city of Salamis by the Venetians in 1550. The coats of arms of six Italian noble families still remains at the bottom of the column, even though the statue of the lion on it has been replaced with a copper ball. The square used to be the seat of a Lusignan palace, which was replaced with the present-day law courts by the British government.

North Nicosia is home to cultural diversity. Students from different backgrounds in the universities celebrate their national festivals with activities, at which their national dances and traditions are performed. Different religious groups conduct cultural activities; the Alevi Cultural Association is headquartered in Nicosia.

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Kyrenia

Kyrenia (Greek: Κερύνεια [locally [t͡ʃeˈɾiɳˑa]]; Turkish: Girne) is a city on the northern coast of Cyprus, noted for its historic harbour and castle. It is under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus.

While there is evidence showing that Kyrenia has been populated since ca. 5800–3000 BC, it is traditionally accepted that the city was founded by Achaeans from the Peloponnese after the Trojan War. As the town grew prosperous, the Romans established the foundations of its castle in the 1st century AD. Kyrenia grew in importance after the 9th century due to the safety offered by the castle, and played a pivotal role under the Lusignan rule as the city never capitulated. The castle has been most recently modified by the Venetians in the 15th century, but the city surrendered to the Ottoman Empire in 1571.

The city's population was almost equally divided between Muslims and Christians in 1831, with a slight Muslim majority. However, with the advent of British rule, many Turkish Cypriots fled to Anatolia, and the town came to be predominantly inhabited by Greek Cypriots. While the city suffered little intercommunal violence, its Greek Cypriot inhabitants, numbering around 2,650, fled or were forcefully displaced in the wake of the Turkish invasion in 1974. Currently, the city is populated by Turkish Cypriots, mainland Turks and Britons with a municipal population of 33,207.

Kyrenia is a major cultural and economical centre, considered to be the touristic capital of Northern Cyprus. It is home to numerous hotels, a vibrant nightlife and a busy port. It hosts an annual culture and arts festival with hundreds of participating artists and performers and is home to two universities and a student population around 14,000.

Kyrenia Castle at the east end of the old harbour is a spectacular site. The castle dates back to Byzantine times and has served the Byzantines, Crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans, and British. Within its walls there is a 12th-century chapel containing reused late Roman capitols, and a shipwreck museum. Huge round towers that the Venetians built in 1540 AD occupy the corners. These strengthened the castle against artillery.

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Saint Hilarion Castle

The Saint Hilarion Castle lies on the Kyrenia mountain range, in Cyprus near Kyrenia (Girne). This location provided the castle with command of the pass road from Kyrenia to Nicosia. It is the best preserved ruin of the three former strongholds in the Kyrenia mountains, the others being Kantara and Buffavento.

Saint Hilarion was originally a monastery, named after a monk who allegedly chose the site for his hermitage, with a monastery and a church built there in the 10th century. Starting in the 11th century, the Byzantines began fortification. Saint Hilarion formed the defense of the island with the castles of Buffavento and Kantara against Arab pirates raiding the coast. Some sections were further upgraded under the Lusignan rule, who may have used it as a summer residence. During the rule of Lusignans, the castle was the focus of a four-year struggle between Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and Regent John d' Ibelin for control of Cyprus.

The castle has three divisions or wards. The lower and middle wards served economic purposes, while the upper ward housed the royal family. The lower ward had the stables and the living quarters for the men-at-arms. The Prince John tower sits on a cliff high above the lower castle. The church lies on the middle ward. The upper ward was reserved for the Royals and can be entered via a well-preserved archway. Farm buildings are located in the west close to the royal apartments. Along the western wall, there is a scenic view of the northern coast of Cyprus, overlooking the city of Kyrenia(Girne), from the Queen's Window.

Much of the castle was dismantled by the Venetians in the 15th century to reduce the up-keeping cost of garrisons.