Holidays in Famagusta
June 24th, 2009 | 
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Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located in a bay between Capes Greco and Eloea, east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbor in the island. Since the 1974 Turkish invasion the city has resided in the de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The old tourist quarter of Varosha is abandoned pending a settlement of the Cyprus dispute. The city has a population of around 39,000 and there are no legal Greek Cypriot residents.
The town has had different names from its first known one of Arsinoe, then Ammonchostos (meaning “hidden in sand”) which developed into Famagusta and the Turkish name of Gazimagusa. It seems to have had its zenith in the 13th century when Christians fleeing from Syria and Palestine settled there and developed it into a prosperous city.
The old city of Famagusta is encircled by the historical walls, which are massive and on average are 60 feet high and date back to mediaeval times. The walls stand intact to this day, well preserved.
The Lusignans built the city walls. After the Venetians captured the island from the Lusignans, they brought over experts from Venice to fortify the walls against artillery fire mainly to protect themselves from the attacks of the Ottomans.
Two of the original gates of the Famagusta Castle, (the walls) still stand: Porta del Mare (The Sea Gate), and Ravalin / Akkule Bastion (The Land Gate). Two more gates were opened during the British period, which are the Djanboulat Gate, and the New Gate.
Places of Interest Around Famagusta include Agios Ioannis Greek Church & Icon Museum, Akkule Mosque, Armenian Church, Ayia Photou Underground Church, Ayia Zoni Church, Cafer Pasa Bath & Fountain, Canbulat Tomb & Museum, Carmelite Church, Collapsed Churches ,Covered Market, Famagusta City Walls, First Locomotive, Greek St George Church, Italian Renaissance House & Biddulph Gate, Kertikli Bath , Kizil Bath (Scarlet Turkish Bath), Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque, Land Gate (Akkule) Latin St George Church, Martyrs’ Monument & Cemetery, Martinengo Bastion (Tophane), Mustafa Pasa Mosque (Stavros Church), Namik Kemal Dungeon, Nestorian, Othello’s Tower, Salamis Ancient City, Sea gate, Sinan Pasha Mosque, St Anna Church, St Anthony Church ruins, St Francis Church, St Nikolas Church, Tanners Mosque (Tabakhane Mosque), Tekke of Kutup Osman, Twin Churches, Varosha (Maras),Venetian palace and Yirmisekiz Celebi Tomb.
You need to stay a couple of days in Famagusta in order to visit various interesting sites over there. You have got many hotels that range from small hotels to big star hotels. Hospitality staff at hotels and restaurants show great respect toward foreign tourist and travelers in Famagusta. Moreover, English is a common language for many understood and spoken far and wide.
If you are visiting Famagusta for the first time then you had better avail the services of the leading UK Tour Operator offering direct flight holidays in North Cyprus, The Direct Traveller. This consultancy possesses vast experience as the Northern Cyprus Tour Operator. The Direct Traveller offers holidays with real knowledge of the tourists’ individual requirements. The Tour Operator is a voluntary member of ABTA; giving you total service confidence along with financial security. You can also enjoy special packages offered by The Direct Traveller.
(Author: johnsmith)
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
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