The Salonica View team organizes a trip to Famagusta - inside the walls and in the ghost town.
A few words about our trek:
Our trek will start from Nicosia and we will head towards the roadblock of Pyla. We will pass through our occupied villages, Prastio Pyrga, Stylloi, and Engomi until we reach the Medieval and walled city of Famagusta. We will walk through the "ghost" city. In the walled city, we will have the opportunity to see the church of Saint Nikolaos, the Venetian walls and palace, and the Tower of Othello from Shakespeare's play of the same name. Afterward, we will have free time to rest. From Famagusta, we will take the road that leads to Nicosia and the free areas.
A few words about Famagusta:
Famagusta is located in the eastern part of Cyprus, in the bay that bears its name. Ancient Famagusta was called Salamis. It was later renamed Arsinoe and Constantia. Its Greek Cypriot inhabitants were expelled in 1974 by the Turkish army and today live in the towns and villages of free Cyprus. It is referred to by this name (Ammochostos) which literally means the city buried in the sand, from the 4th AD. century. Indeed, Famagusta was a world-famous tourist resort, between 1960 and 1974, because of its golden sandy beach. The city of Famagusta before the Turkish invasion had about 40,000 inhabitants and was the third largest city on the island. Until the day of August 14, 1974, the port of Famagusta was the main port of Cyprus, and tourism was the sector in which the city stood out. It is indicative that of the approximately 100 hotels that were operating on the entire island at the time, 45 were in Famagusta.
Points of historical interest:
The Cathedral of Saint Nikolaos: it is the cathedral, which surprises with its greatness. It was built according to French architectural standards and in it, the kings of Jerusalem, and the Frankish kings of Cyprus were crowned. Initially, it had frescoes and decorations with statues, which were destroyed by the Ottomans when, with the conquest of Cyprus in 1571, it was turned into a mosque.
The Tower of Othello: is part of the fortifications of the castle of Famagusta. It is a square building with four towers at its corners and a separate moat from the rest of the castle. During the Frankish rule, one end of the chain that closed the entrance to the inner port of the city was seen there. It is named after Shakespeare's play, Othello, which is believed to be set there even though the author himself simply mentions a town in Cyprus. According to the play, Othello was a Venetian commander of Famagusta.
Venetian walls
Lusignan Palace
Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Famagusta
Cost of participation (per person):
25 euros/person
*** Payment will be made on the bus (Pay not attention to the automatic payment message you will receive).
The price includes:
- Escort and organization
- Transportation by bus
You must have with you:
- ID card
- Personal items
- Snack
- Water
Note 1. When you click to book, state in the message where you will take the bus from.
Note 2. For the best functioning of the event and for safety reasons, participants must comply with the instructions of the attendants.
Note 3. In case of cancellation of the event due to bad weather conditions, the excursion is moved to another date. Participants unable to participate on that date will be refunded. However, if again the weather conditions do not allow the event to take place, the event is permanently canceled and everyone is refunded. In case of cancellation by the participants, 7 days or less before the date of the event, the money is not returned.
Note 4. Photographic material is shared on our page and social media after each event. By participating in a Salonica View event, you also accept the sharing of photos. Otherwise, as you inform us.
