Nicosia - Walled City

Within walking distance from the Archbishopric is the Chrysaliniotissa Church, dedicated to Our Lady of the Golden Flax. This is considered to be the oldest church in Nicosia and is believed to have been built in 1450 by Queen Helena Palaeologos.

The small Cyprus Postal and Philatelic Museum houses the full range of Cypriot stamps and artifacts relating to Cypriot postal history. The museum opened in 1981 and was upgraded in 1999 to include additional exhibits.

Eleftheria Square stands at the main thoroughfare between the old and new towns of Nicosia and is a good place for visitors to get their bearings. On the east side of the square is the D'avila bastion, which now houses the main post office, municipal library and the town hall.

The square itself crosses the moat and is a busy place lined with the typical Cypriot newspaper kiosks.

Ledra Street is one of the most popular in Nicosia. It is the heart of old Nicosia, and has been pedestrianized, making it more accessible. The street makes up the shopping district of old Nicosia, with many little shops lining either side.

The road comes to an abrupt end at an army sentry post. Behind the post is "no-man's land" and beyond that are the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus. Tourists can visit the sentry post and look through a small peep hole at the other side.

Immediately north of St John's Cathedral is an interesting Museum of Folk Art.

The Nicosia Museum of Folk Art was established by the Cyprus Studies Organization in 1950 to house all genuine and representative objects of Cypriot folk art made during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The exhibits include a watermill, weaving looms, chests and hand-woven costumes.

The Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO) offers a two-hour walking tour of Nicosia every Thursday at 10am. The tour starts at the CTO office in Laiki Geitonia and gives visitors a chance to get acquainted with the old character of the city.

The Omeriye Mosque is located near the main municipal market, within the walled city. Converted into a mosque in 1571 by Mustapha Pasha, most of the original building was destroyed by Ottoman artillery. The door of the main entrance belongs to the 14th century Lusignan building.

On the first floor are Lusignan tombstones, used by the Turks to refloor the building. The minaret is particularly tall and dominates this part of the city. It is still used as a mosque by visiting Moslems.

Onasagoras, parallel to Ledra Street, has been paved for pedestrians. It is lined with small shops, which are not aimed at tourists, therefore prices are quite reasonable.

Phaneromeni Church was built in 1872 and is located on Odos Onassagorou, within the old city. The marble mausoleum to the east of the church contains the relics of the bishops and priests executed by the Turks in 1821.