KERPIC 2008

ABOUT LEFKOŞA
Lefkoşa is the capital and the largest city of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which has a population of around 73,000. Home to the main government headquarters and foreign representatives, it is also the seat for the United Nations and the European Commission offices.

Lefkoşa is the last remaining divided capital city in the world, with the northern (Turkish) and southern (Greek) parts divided by the "green line" boundary. However, since 2003, there have been no restrictions on border crossings for EU citizens in Cyprus , who are free to cross and spend as much time as they wish on either side of the border by producing their ID cards or passports at crossing points which are open 24 hours a day. At present, there are six crossing points , two of which are the Ledra Palace and Ledra Street border gates in Lefkoşa.

The city's ramparts were built by the Venetians in 1570 and encircle the city with 11 towers. Inside the city walls are beautiful examples of Gothic and Ottoman architectural forms, among which are the Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophia Cathedral), Bedesten (covered bazaar - St. George Cathedral), the Buyuk Han (Grand Inn), the Kumarcilar Han (Gamblers' Inn), the Sufi (Mevlana) Museum, and countless other monuments. Like the other towns of Cyprus which remained under Ottoman rule for more than 300 years, Lefkoşa too is typically Turkish in character but with the richness of its multicultural heritage and Ottoman principles of religious and cultural tolerance.

Historical Places :

· Bedesten Belediye Pazari (Municipal Market)

· Büyük Han (Grand Inn)

· City Walls

· Derviş Paşa Mansion

· Kumarcilar Han (Gambler's Inn )

· Lusignan House

· Museum of Mevlevi Tekke

· Selmiye Mosque

http://northcyprus.cc/index.php/front/regions/getregion/1