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Istanbul |
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Istanbul is the only city in the world built on
two continents which Fatih Sultan Mehmet the
Conqueror changed in his era. It stands on the
shores of the uniquely beautiful Bosphorus (Istanbul
Bogazi) where the waters of the Black Sea combine
with those of The sea of Marmara and the Golden
Horn. the capital of three empires which used to dominate the
world. Today the province houses the precious
remains of these civilizations and stands with all
its glamour and mysticism as a harmonious link
between East and West, past and present, antique and
modern.
It is one of the richest cities in historical
background, as well as one of the most beautiful,
enchanting and alive cities of the world. It has an
atmosphere of its own with its life-style, people
and numerous attractions. In Istanbul you will have
to be generous with time since it has so much to
show. The old palaces, the great mosques with
soaring minarets, ancient churches, museums,
bazaars, the Istanbul Strait and others are
wonderful sites worth seeing.
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Kyrenia |
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Kyrenia is a fascinating town of the northern
coast of Cyprus founded by the Myceans ca.1600 BC.
It's tiny horse shoe shaped harbour with the
backdrop of the Five Finger Mountains help to make
Kyrenia one of the most beautiful areas on the
island. The old harbour is bordered by what used to
be carob warehouses but are now cafes, restaurants
and bars.
Fishing boats, colourful yachts and excursion
boats are moored in this pretty spot and to the east
of the harbour is Kyrenia Castle. A truly
magnificent edifice constructed by the Byzantines in
the 9th century to ward of Arab invaders. This
fortress was further enhanced by the Lusignans and
then by the Venetians and is one of the most
imposing sites in the Mediterranean.
The castle houses the Ship-wreck museum where
the remains of the 4th century cargo boat, a number
of artefacts and it's cargo of amphorae are
displayed.
Kyrenia castle, a truly magnificent edifice,
constructed by the Byzantines in the 9th century to
ward of Arab invaders. This fortress was further
enhanced by the Lusignans and then by the Venetians
and is one of the most imposing sites in the
Mediterranean.
Only nature itself has succeeded in claiming
Cyprus for its own edification. Soaring mountains-Besparmak
(Five Finger) Mountains in the Kyrenia region- sweep
to that sandy coastline, the lower slopes festooned
in vines, groves of oranges and lemons and lush
greenery. bazaars, the Istanbul Strait and others
are wonderful sites worth seeing.
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Famagusta
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Famagusta was originally a small commercial and
fishing port but with the advent of the Crusades and
the reign of the Lusignans it attained much greater
significance. The old town is surrounded by
magnificent walls, 17 metres high and 9 metres wide,
which where constructed by the Lusignans and further
reinforced by the Venetians in 1489.
There are reputed to be 365 places of worship in
Famagusta and among the foremost of these is the
Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque, formerly St Nicholas
Cathedral, where the Lusignan kings were crowned,
it's name was changed after the Ottoman conquest of
the island in 1571.
It remains as one of the examples of Gothic
architecture to this day. The Knights Templar, The
Nights Hospitaller and Othello also share in the
history of this city.
According to Greek mythology, the city of
Salamis was founded by Teucer on his return from the
Trojan wars, but it is perhaps more likely that city
was established early in the eleventh century BC
after the abandonment of the nearby city of Alasia.
Salamis is said to have been a highly developed,
sophisticated urban centre blending the cultures of
the Orient and the Phoenicians while having its own
distinctively Cypriot character.
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