Kyrenia Gate, Nicosia
"...O, the opener of the gates, open gates that lead to good." Sayyid Fazullah Dede, a descendant of the Prophet, inscribed this prayer on a tablet at the Kyrenia Gate to Old Nicosia in 1821.
The gate was installed in the city walls by Venetians in 1576. They had a plaque in Latin with the date "MDLXII" (1562). The British covered the tablet of Sayyid Dede with their own in 1931, also in Latin, "George V, King and Emperor." Empires have come and gone but the gate remains.
There are three gates to the walled city of the Venetians. The Paphos Gate, The Famagusta Gate and the Kyrenia Gate. The traditional entrance to the Turkish part of the Old City is the Kyrenia Gate.
The gate was called "Door of the Proveditore" by the Venetians. The name "Proveditore" is taken to mean "Military Governor" in Italian. It is similar to "Provost Marshal" in English. It has also been named for whoever was governor at the time. Because of an armory west of the Gate, it has also been called "Door of the Fortress."
The Gate is a brief alley under rounded arches. Above the gate is a square sentry room topped with a dome. The Ottomans built the upper floors to guard against a Greek uprising in the Old City. The walls on both sides of the gate were demolished in 1931 to make room for road lanes on either side.
The gate was installed in the city walls by Venetians in 1576. They had a plaque in Latin with the date "MDLXII" (1562). The British covered the tablet of Sayyid Dede with their own in 1931, also in Latin, "George V, King and Emperor." Empires have come and gone but the gate remains.
There are three gates to the walled city of the Venetians. The Paphos Gate, The Famagusta Gate and the Kyrenia Gate. The traditional entrance to the Turkish part of the Old City is the Kyrenia Gate.
The gate was called "Door of the Proveditore" by the Venetians. The name "Proveditore" is taken to mean "Military Governor" in Italian. It is similar to "Provost Marshal" in English. It has also been named for whoever was governor at the time. Because of an armory west of the Gate, it has also been called "Door of the Fortress."
The Gate is a brief alley under rounded arches. Above the gate is a square sentry room topped with a dome. The Ottomans built the upper floors to guard against a Greek uprising in the Old City. The walls on both sides of the gate were demolished in 1931 to make room for road lanes on either side.
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Kyrenia Gate on Map
Sight Name: Kyrenia Gate
Sight Location: Nicosia, Cyprus (See walking tours in Nicosia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nicosia, Cyprus (See walking tours in Nicosia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nicosia, Cyprus
Create Your Own Walk in Nicosia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nicosia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Turkish Old Town Walking Tour
Nicosia wasn't always Nicosia. It was originally called Leukosia. In Greek mythology Leukosia was a siren, a daughter of Achelous, a river god, and Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy. They had several daughters, Leukosia was one.
Others say the first settlers were Achaean veterans of the Trojan War. They appeared on the plain of Mesaoria by the river Pedieos in 2,500 BC. They formed the city... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Others say the first settlers were Achaean veterans of the Trojan War. They appeared on the plain of Mesaoria by the river Pedieos in 2,500 BC. They formed the city... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Greek Old Town Walking Tour
Nicosia is Cyprus鈥檚 capital and its largest city. It is Europe鈥檚 last divided capital, with Turkish Cypriots living on the north side and Greek Cypriots living on the south side.
Nicosia has been continuously occupied for over 4,500 years and has been Cyprus's capital for over 1,000 years. It has a turbulent political history, and the Franks, Venetians, Ottomans, and British have... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Nicosia has been continuously occupied for over 4,500 years and has been Cyprus's capital for over 1,000 years. It has a turbulent political history, and the Franks, Venetians, Ottomans, and British have... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Nicosia Shopping Tour
There's probably no better shopping destination for tourists in Cyprus than Nicosia. Indeed, the country's exotic capital offers a vibrant mix of traditional markets and modern fashionable shops, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.
One of the must-visit spots is Bandabuliya Municipal Market, also known as Belediye Pazar谋. Here, you can immerse yourself in the bustling... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
One of the must-visit spots is Bandabuliya Municipal Market, also known as Belediye Pazar谋. Here, you can immerse yourself in the bustling... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles