Λευκωσία Archives ⋆ The Passenger

October 31, 2021April 14, 2022

Sigá, sigá

Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and currently the most eastern part of the European Union. In fact, it is incredibly close to states like Syria or Lebanon. It is known as the island of Aphrodite (or Venus) and it has an interesting history. The whole island is part of the EU, but it is a divided island with an occupied Turkish northern part. Cyprus is a good place for a summer holiday, and it seems to be to the Russians what Mallorca means to the Germans. And it is a place for relaxation which can already be seen in the local philosophy of life: sigá, sigá; always slowly, always relaxed.

October 30, 2021January 24, 2022

Selimiye Camii

When you look at ancient maps and images of Λευκωσία, you can see a large church in the center of the city boundaries marked by the Venetian walls protecting the city: the Cathedral of Saint Sophia. It was built from the year 1209 on and the Knights Templar supported the creation during the crusades. The kings of Cyprus were crowned there during the existence of their kingdom (1192 to 1489 CE).

October 30, 2021January 24, 2022

Cyprus museum

The Cyprus museum in Λευκωσία is very old-fashioned. You can’t learn much about the Cypriot history, it is rather an archaeologic museum exhibiting statues and ancient jars. It was founded in 1882 and is an important institution as it preserves the ancient findings from the island.

October 30, 2021January 24, 2022

Visual arts

The Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) is a wonderful museum in the northeast of the Greek part of the old town of Λευκωσία. On multiple levels the CVAR shows drawings and paintings of Cyprus. These depict the island in former days and also express how the country has been seen; especially on posters advertising the ‘colony’ as a vacation paradise.

October 29, 2021January 24, 2022

NiMAC

If you’re into modern and contemporary art you should pay a visit to the NiMAC, Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre. It is located in the old powerhouse of Λευκωσία and already this renovated ancient building is worth dropping in. The rather small museum was opened in 1994 and exhibits works from Cypriot and foreign artists.

October 29, 2021January 23, 2022

EOKA

One of the biggest monuments of Λευκωσία is the Liberty Monument erected in 1973. It honors the EOKA fighting against British colonialism and occupation of Cyprus. EOKA stands for Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston, the National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters. It was a military organisation fighting for Cypriot independence and for long time it was seen as a right-wing, nationalist organization. Today their work for independence is accepted and it has its fair part in Cypriot history.

October 29, 2021April 14, 2022

Green line

Λευκωσία is the last divided capital in Europe. When you’re walking through the city, you’ll find barriers made from oil barrels, roadblocks, barb wire and (bored) guards along a no-man’s-land leading from the east to the west of the city. This area is protected by UN forces and even as you’re not allowed to do photographs you can get close to the border pretty easy. It is bizarre to see the empty and deteriorating buildings in the heart of the city.

October 29, 2021January 21, 2022

Centrum

Λευκωσία offers a lot of hotels, for sure. But if you want to stay inside the ancient city walls of the capital city there is only a small selection in the southwest. The Centrum hotel is a viable choice as it is close to the Ledras street leading through the city and to the occupied north and it is surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars.