Traveller's101

All About Famagusta 

The city of Famagusta, located on the eastern coast of north Cyprus, has been through plenty of ups and downs during its long history.  It sits between Capes Greco and Eloea and it is the home of the deepest harbour in the island nation.  It has been part of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus since 1974 and the sector known as Varosha – once an area filled with Greek Cypriots – is a virtual ghost town after being closed off by the Turkish Army. 

The city itself is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Cyprus, but there are plenty areas that are in disrepair.  There are still cranes standing empty where they were left during the 1974 invasion, and the city has been listed as one of the World Monuments Fund’s 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world.  Some of the finest examples of medieval architecture can still be found in the city and the citizens have endeavoured to keep the structures well preserved.   

The port city is greatly fortified to this day and the ruins of Salamis lies just north of the city proper.  Salamis was eventually abandoned in 648 AD after a series of earthquakes and raids by Arab pirates forced the citizens to move to Famagusta.  The ruins are a fascinating example of Roman architecture, just like Famagusta is a perfect example of the many different civilizations that influenced it. 

Today Famagusta is a very busy university town, the home to the Eastern Mediterranean University.  The students that attend the University are from diverse cultural backgrounds that has helped shape the society of Famagusta.  Even with parts of the city in disrepair or blocked off, the city government is still hoping to make the city the ‘cultural centre’ of the entire island.

Chimera Famagusta Famagusta

Photos by: www.american.edu

The square in the centre of Famagusta is surrounded by cafes, retail shops, souvenir shops and the mosque.  All of it has been integrated with the square and since it has been pedestrianized, the area has become a major tourist attraction.  Even with the amount of tourists that visit the city, the square is still home to the locals who mingle with the visitors seamlessly.  Tourists should not be surprised to see the mayor of the city talking with locals as they dine in the cafes. 

Traditional activities in Famagusta are very popular among the youth of the city.  Folk dancing in the traditional Turkish manner – right down to the colourful costumes – is a very popular pastime.  The group in Famagusta is actually the largest in north Cyprus and they have won many folk dancing awards in competitions across Europe.   

If you enjoy eating, you will able to find plenty of restaurants that suit your tastes.  Many of the restaurants in the city are famous for the kebabs and mezes, and there are plenty of Turkish coffee bars available for people to enjoy.   

The earliest history of Famagusta is via spoken word as no one bothered to write it down over the centuries.  Even though nothing was ever put into words, the architecture of the city speaks for itself.  No matter what has happened in the city over the centuries, the city has always remained a port town.  The city boasts some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world and the Bilfer Palm Beach, Salamis Bay, Mimoza, Sema and Portofino are some of the best with five star accommodations right along the beachfront.   

It is interesting to note that the Turkish name of the city is Gazimagusa.  The Greeks call it Ammokhostos.  The name Famagusta actually originates with the Franks who settled on the island and contributed their fair share of unique architecture.  In the Frankish language, Famagusta means ‘buried in the sand’.  This name is appropriate as it describes the way the mouth of the Pedieos River has silted up over the years. 

The city was actually built on the remains of Arsinoe, a settlement originally founded by the Egyptian king Ptolemy II.  When Christian refugees fled the Middle East after the battle of Acre during the Crusades, the town of Famagusta very quickly grew and became one of the richest cities in the area.  

The city has been destroyed and rebuilt many times thanks to wars and natural disasters, namely earthquakes.  However, today Famagusta is one of the largest tourist resorts on the island, even if part of it is run down and in need of rehabilitation.  Visitors to the city can travel to it overland after landing at one of the three major airports on the island or they can enter the city off of one of the many ferries that run between Famagusta and Mersin, Turkey or Latakia, Syria.  The city is definitely one of the places visitors will want to see and experience the feel of old world charm and tradition.