We have prepared a pleasant content about the Famagusta region for you. Famagusta is a town getting attention with its housing projects and investment opportunities. The opening prospect of Closed Varosha increases the attractiveness of investment.
Famagusta Region Guide
Famagusta, located in the east of Northern Cyprus is a unique Cyprus port town with its location, history and nature. Famagusta is adjacent to Kyrenia in the west, Nicosia in the southwest and Iskele in the North.
Some call it Famagusta, Turkish speaking call it Magosa or Gazimagusa. To avoid confusion, the official name is Famagusta the English equivalent being Famagusta as well.
Tourism, education and the real estate / construction sector, which has gained momentum in recent years, hold an important place in Famagusta’s economy.
Eastern Mediterranean University, one of the biggest universities of the TRNC, is also located in Famagusta. Alongside with new universities opened after the EMU, Famagusta is also known as the student town of TRNC.
Famagusta is a town redolent of history in every corner. The city is thought to have been founded by Egyptian Ptolemy King Philadelphus II (285–247 BC). Due to its location, the city became the most strategic commercial center on the East-West trade route during the Lusignans period in the 13th century and has maintained this feature throughout history.
Famagusta indulges in history of various periods from the churches of the Knights Templar to the castles surrounding the harbor, from Ottoman architecture to the British era.
This historical town has hosted the Knights of Malta for years.
Should you visit Famagusta, you should definitely pay a visit to the churches area and let yourself be navigated through centuries of history by a local guide.
Today, it is also known as the City of 365 Churches.
And whilst you’re there, we suggest you take a pleasant break at the Petek Patisserie.
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Content Guide:
- Famagusta Districts
- Famagusta Population
- Famagusta Weather
- Famagusta Shopping Center
- Famagusta Holiday
- Varosha
- Famagusta Universities
- Famagusta Hotels
- Famagusta Travel Guide
- Othello Castle
- Salamis Ancient City
- Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque
- Namık Kemal Dungeon and Museum
- Akdoğan
- Akova
- Alaniçi
- Aslanköy
- Aygün
- Baykal
- Beyarmudu
- Çanakkale
- Dörtyol
- Geçitkale
- Gönendere
- Gülseren
- Güvercinlik
- İnönü
- Kaleiçi
- Karakol
- Korkuteli
- Kuzucuk
- Merkez
- Maraş
- Mormenekşe
- Mutluyaka
- Paşaköy
- Sakarya
- Salamis
- Serdarlı
- Tatlısu
- Turunçlu
- Tuzla
- Vadili
- Yeni Boğaziçi
- Yıldırım
The population of Famagusta is 40 thousand 920 according to the 2011 census.
We have shared it in our other regional guide articles previously, let’s just be aware that these figures contain numbers of the a census including TRNC citizens only. There is probably a similar number of students and workers holding working permits. Adding the military units, and the personnel of the United Nations the actual number of inhabitants is much more.
Famagusta Mayor İsmail Arter
Famagusta Municipality Telephone Number 0 392 630 05 00
The Mediterranean climate prevails as on the rest of the island here too. here. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are mild.
It does not get much rain.
However, sudden heavy rainfalls sometimes can make Famagusta look like Venice when the infrastructure is overstrained.
Therefore, if you are planning a vacation, be sure to check the Famagusta weather forecast beforehand. If there is rain, especially if you’ve heard the warning about a downpour, postpone your plans to a few days later to be on the safe side.
City Mall AVM, the largest shopping center in Northern Cyprus, is located in Famagusta.
Situated close to the city center many famous brands are gathered under one roof in this establishment preferred by families and others due to air-conditioned playgrounds and a food court inside.
Apart from shopping malls, the street store culture is very common in Famagusta just like in any other city in the TRNC.
You can easily get many brands you are looking for.
Just like shopping, Famagusta features plenty of restaurants and cafes conveniently scattered between shops.
Due to the high density of students, the number of such places is increasing continiously.
Famagusta is a city where business, living and vacation intersect.
You can conveniently figure out this triple balance by living in Famagusta.
There are many options for those who come for holiday as well.
You will have plenty of choices of Famagusta hotels, Famagusta boutique hotels, or the popular bungalow type holiday homes of the region …
Whatever your heart desires, it’s there.
The seaside of Famagusta is very calm and clean. Therefore, let us also take the liberty to remind you not to miss out a swim in the sea whilst being there for vacation.
Varosha is the Greek name for Marash. Marash as the Turkish speaking say, is the most famous area of the island of Cyprus. It was once frequented by world stars staying at its luxury hotels, gambling at casinos and relaxing at the unique beach. It once hosted world famous stars such as Marliyn Monroe and Sophia Loren.
After 1974 it was declared a military zone controlled by the Turkish military and has been closed to the public. Since then it is referred to as Closed Varosha. By a joint decision of TRNC government and the Republic of Turkey in October 8, 2020, not privately owned public areas have begun to be restored as maybe first steps towards a reopening of Closed Varosha.
The public part of Varosha is open to controlled visits. The concept of mourning tourism is in the forefront here, getting visitors of thousands reminiscing about the place.
Being in Varosha is like travelling in time back to the beginning of 70’s. Time stood still there. Banks, hotels, houses, apartments froze in time. The only place used is the Military Guest House of the Turkish Army sitting on the beautiful beach all by itself. Other than that there is no settlement to date.
Universities are the driving force of the population and the economy of the city.
That’s why Famagusta is a true university city in comparison to other TRNC cities.
Anyone who visits Famagusta during the semester holidays will understand the point we’re getting at.
Dormitories, rental homes, cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, even streets are deserted.
The influence of students is great in every part of the city.
The number of students in Famagusta is well over 20 thousand nowadays.
The biggest share of this potential is brought to life by the Eastern Mediterranean University, the first university in the TRNC.
EMU also operates as the only state university of the TRNC.
Founded in 1979, the university has a total of 108 associate and undergraduate programs, 96 master’s and doctoral programs in 12 faculties and 4 colleges.
Eastern Mediterranean University is listed as the best universities in the world by many international independent rating organizations. 17.500 students from 106 countries are attending the Eastern Mediterranean University educated by over 1.100 scholars from 35 countries.
The EMU Rector is Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın.
Other universities providing education in Famagusta are Ada Kent University and Cyprus West University.
The higher the number of students, the higher the demand for dormitories.
Famagusta student dormitories are one of the prime areas where the private sector has invested.
Many construction companies also operate dormitories.
The Famagusta KYK Dormitory is the most remarkable among dormitories in Famagusta.
Eastern Mediterranean University has its own dormitories in the compound and private dormitories increasing standards continuously are on the preference list of students.
Students generally prefer to stay in the dormitory during their first year of enrollment.
After they start making friends and get to know their way around the city they tend to rent a flat with their mates. Famagusta is equipped for that and offers a lot of affordable housing which in return is a lucrative opportunity for investors to buy those kind of flats and rent them out. These rentals are paid cash in advance in dollars for one year usually.
Famagusta Hotels: Arkın Palm Beach, Salamis Bay Conti Hotel, Merit Cyprus Garden’s Hotel
Famagusta Casinos: Salamis Bay Conti Casino, Arkın Palm Beach Casino, Merit Cyprus Garden’s Hotel, The European Casino
The Othello Castle, one of the main entrances of old Famagusta city, was built by the Lusignans in the 14th century to protect the city from attacks. Shakespeare was inspired by the story to write his famous play named after the castle centuries later probably in 1603.
There are rumors that Leonardo Da Vinci initiated the defense systems of the castle during his stay in Cyprus.
Today, the hall inside the castle is actively used. Many events of Famagusta Culture, Art and Tourism Festival, organized by Famagusta Municipality, are held there.
Cyprus Famagusta Salamis Ruins are an absolute must to visit. Salamis is 6 kilometers north of modern Famagusta.
According to research, its history dates back to the 11th century BC. Cyprus was a significant hub of early trade networks and copper was an essential metal. Cyprus was administrated by City-states later on and the kings of those various cities accumulated wealth and power.
According to one legend, Salamis was founded after Enkomi (Alasia) was destroyed after the great earthquake and its people settled in this region.
Homeric epics state that Teucer, the son of King Telamon is the founder of the city, after fleeing the Trojan War and not being able to return. Salamis Ancient City hosted many civilizations during its existence. It is a city that has seen the Assyrian, Egyptian and Persian sovereignty, and survived the ruling periods of Alexander the great and the Romans.
Salamis City experienced many earthquakes and suffered great damage over centuries which led to the destruction beginning of the 4th century. It was rebuilt on a smaller scale but the silting of the harbour led to a gradual decline.
Salamis is also believed to have been the first stop on Saint Paul’s first journey after heading out from Antioch of Syria, considered to be one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age.
When Arab raids started in 647 the city was destroyed once again and the people of Salamis migrated to Famagusta.
The Wall and Harbor, Salamis Gymnasium, Amphitheater, Roman Villa, Byzantine Cistern, St. Epiphanios Basilica, Agora, Roman Baths, Necropolis, Cellarga Mass Tombs and Nikokreon Monument and the Temple of Zeus are among the structures within the ruins of Salamis Ancient City.
For many years, the city was also treated as a source of building materials, and during the Venetian period, many columns and pieces of sculpture were removed from the site. Shifting sands however encompassed most of the city and protected it from the hands of looters. The first real scaled excavations commenced in the 1950’s. The remains of the structure of the city can be traced back to all civilizations once being there. Although the city predominantly still remains buried under the sands, Salamis Ruins are very impressive and well worthy of a visit.
Salamis Gymnasium is still used as an amphitheater today. It hosts many summer concerts and Famagusta International Culture and Art Festival.
St. Barnabas Monastery & Icon Museum
Just opposite of the huge necropolis of Salamis is the church dedicated to St. Barnabas, patron saint of Cyprus. Encountering various rulers with different religious beliefs, from Muslim to Christian and Pagan. cultures have intermingled and crossed in Cyprus, where churches and mosques sit side by side.
The St. Barnabas churches discovery dates back to 480 AD. The Archbishop convinced the Roman emperor to self-govern the church and achieved a special status. The church as such was replaced in the 18th century by the monastery. Once the centre of the Cyprus Orthodox church, this monastery is still in good condition.
Over the years, the number of resident monks reduced, and by the 1950’s consisted of only three brothers who had dedicated themselves and even built a bell tower in 1958.
It is now used as an icon museum featuring many artefacts including one of the best collections of Bronze Age and Early Iron Age antiquities in North Cyprus. It still retains an air of sanctity and peace. The archaeological museum holds relics from the nearby antique city of Enkomi, dating back to a time influenced by ancient Egypt.
The Mosque of Lala Mustafa Paşa is one of the most visited and photographed places during Famagusta visits.
The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque was originally built by the Lusignians as the Latin Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and is one of the most impressive Frankish buildings still to survive in the Near East.
August 1571, When Cyprus fell under Ottoman control in August 1571 the cathedral was converted into a mosque and interestingly renamed the St. Sophia Mosque of Famagusta. Some stained glass was replaced by clear glass, and as in all mosques, and the floor of the church was covered by a carpet enabling some tombs to survive to this day. Its use as a mosque spared it from the Baroque additions and 19th-century restorations so that the architecture remained entirely intact. Therefore, the building is still a rare example of pure Gothic architecture.
The name St. Sophia Mosque was continued to be used until 1954, and was renamed then like its sister in Nicosia. It is today known as the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, after the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire who led its forces against the Venetians in Cyprus in the 1570 Ottoman conquest.
Namık Kemal Dungeon and Museum
Namık Kemal, one of the leading poets and writers of Turkish Literature was born in Tekirdağ in 1840.
He is shown among the most important poets and intellectuals of the Tanzimat period. He is known as the poet who incorporated the concept of patriotism and freedom into Turkish literature. A poet who also influenced Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
He was the first writer to write theater plays in the modern European sense in Turkish literature.
Known as the Shakespeare of Turkish literature, Kemal spent 38 months of his life in exile, between 1873 and 1876. Although he suffered malaria and other diseases he wrote many works during this exile period.
He wrote the famous “Vatan Yahut Silistre” (Fatherland or Silistria- *a town in Bulgaria referring to the Russian-Ottoman War) Namik Kemal was sent into exile by the Sultan Abdulaziz on 9 April 1873, seen as a potential revolutionary and a threat. Being staged right after the siege of Silistria, the play was considered dangerous by the Ottoman government as it promoted nationalism and liberalism.
When Namik Kemal came to Famagusta, he first lived at the ground floor. He described described his initial cell as too dark and a place unsuitable for living. The room was indeed just over ten square meters and had no furnishings. After sometime he was transferred to the floor above with the permission of the Cyprus Governor, Veysi Pasha.
Namik Kemal was pardoned by Murad V and returned to Istanbul after Abdulaziz was dethroned.
The same dungeon was also reportedly used by the British authorities during the First World War.
The dungeon he was kept and the building adjacent to the dungeon are used as a museum today. Those who visit the museum will find many things related to Namık Kemal’s life and works.
As references made by the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, to Namik Kemal’s works as a major source of inspiration, he still enjoys the status of a literary hero for many in Turkey and North Cyprus.
Closed Varosha
The Varosha district of Famagusta, Cyprus, was once a booming resort town visited by the rich and famous. Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and other celebrities including Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor as well as Brigitte Bardot visited Varosha in its heyday dubbed as the” French Riviera of Cyprus”. Varosha was home to 39.000 inhabitants and attracted 700.000 tourists annually.
After the area was taken over by Turkish forces in 1974, Varosha was blocked off to visitors. Tables are still set for meals and designer clothes can be found hanging inside now-abandoned shops. Nowadays Varosha has turned into a ghost town by collapsing hotels and eerie remnants left behind by those who lived, worked, and vacationed in the town. The main public beach is open to visitors, but it lies set against the backdrop of decaying hotels and the rest of the abandoned town.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is now discussing plans to reopen the resort town, putting it on the worlds agenda once more.
However, tourists are able to visit public areas of Varosha again these days. Public roads and areas are being restored by the TRNC enabling visitors to enter the once forbidden zone.
Famagusta housing projects encountered a rapid increase due to extended investments of Famagusta construction companies in recent years.
Based upon the increase of numbers of university students at the TRNC, the demand for flats for rent and sale in Famagusta positively affects the Famagusta real estate market.
For our visitors who are looking for Famagusta investment opportunities, we offer many lucrative options at Cyprus Real Estate Center.
In our Kıbrıs Emlak Merkezi(KEM) regional guide study, you can get to know all the regions of Famagusta closely and get access to up-to-date data about the Famagusta real estate and Famagusta construction market.
For more detailed information, please contact us via contact forms or live support offered.
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