Lefkosa

Lefkosa is the capital and the most populous city of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Standing as the most crowded city of the Cyprus Island, Lefkosa is the transportation, business, economic, political and cultural center of the island. The city is the only divided capital in the world. The northern part of the city is maintained by Turks, the southern part by Greeks. These two parts of the city are divided by the Green Line of a demilitarized zone being under the control of the United Nations.

Map

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Tourist Attractions

Arap Ahmet Mosque is the most attractive Turkish style mosque in the city. This religious architecture was built in 1845. Built between 1209 and 1228, Selimiye Mosque is admired as the most significant and the most glorious religious structure of the island. It is the former Cathedral of St. Sophia. Also, Haydarpasha Mosque is another famous mosque of the city.

The Great Inn built in 1572 is one of the leading Turkish architectural works placed at Lefkosa. The inn has two entrances.

The center of Lefkosa is surrounded by the Venetian Wall. The wall was built by Venetians in the 16^th century to defend the city against the Ottomans. This historical wall has three gates.

The Kyrenia Gate is one of the three gates of the walls surrounding the Old Lefkosa. This gate was one of the most important entrance to and exit from the city points at those times.

Lapidary Museum (Stone Works of Art Museums) placed at the east of Selimiye Mosque is the Venice style structure built in the 15^th century.
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Culture & Entertainment

Lefkosa Municipal Theater is the center for many performances throughout the year. International Cyprus Theater Festival generally held in September is one of the significant theatrical events held in the city.

Lefkosa Chamber Orchestra, the City Orchestra and the Municipal Orchestra perform concerts and diversified musical performances during the year.

Folk dances and ballet are pervasive at the city. International Folk Dances Festival held in August is the best reflection of this respect of the cultural accumulation at the city.

Cinemas, nightclubs, discos and casinos are entertainment facilities provided at the North Lefkosa. A great deal of discos are available at different parts of the city, especially in hotels.
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Food & Drink

Turkish Cyprus cuisine appeals to all the food lovers via its various flavors. Because the city has been exposed to different cultures the diversified city cuisine reflects this historical aspect of the city. The hotels and various restaurants at the city are ideal places to taste from the world cuisine.

Palates of the city cuisine;

Dishes: Leeks, baked beans, green beans, okra, meat dolma (vegetables stuffed with meat), bumbar, kofte, yalanci dolma, molehiya, musakka (aubergine), firin kebab, sis kebab...

Pilaves: Rice pilaf, bulgur pilaf, mücendra pilaf...

Soups: Lentil soup, rice soup, paca soup, noodle soup, vegetable soup, humus soup, tarhana soup...

Snacks: Humus, cacik, fried hellim, cakizdez, samarella, potato salad, calamary, lettuce & yogurt salad...

Sweets: Bread kadayifi, lokma, simit helvasi, samsi, paluze, tel kadayifi, firin katmeri...
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Shopping

Although you can find domestic and foreign goods at the city the local souvenirs and handicrafts are the basic ingredients of the city's shopping world. Jewels, leather fabrics, lefkara lace, handmades, rugs, pottery and more stand as the local supplies of the shopping atmosphere at the city

Ready made goods are popular and highly quality at reasonable prices. You will find a great deal of ready made shops at the city.

Lefkosa Municipal Bazaar is a must for you to pay a visit for an efficacious and complete shopping tour at the city.
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