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TRNC Churches - Apotolos Andreas Monastery, Ayia Zone, Ayios Philon, Bellapais Abbey, Ganchvor Monastery, Sourp Magar Monastery, St Andrews, St Anne, St Barnabas Monastery, St Francis, St George, St Mamas Monastery, St Mary, St Nikolas, St Simeon, Twin Churches. Guides > Churches Apostolos Andreas Bellapais Abbey Sourp Magar Monastery St Francis Church St Mary Church Ayia Zone Ganchvor Monastery St Andrews Church St George of the Greeks St Nikolas Church Ayios Philon Panagia Chrysopolitissa St Anne Church St George of the Latins St Simeon Church Ayias Trias Basilica Panayia Pergamininiotissa St Barnabas Monastery St Mamas Monastery The Twin Churches Guides > Churches > Apostolos Andreas Monastery The easternmost monastery on the island, for hundreds of years it's served as an important resting place for followers of the Orthodox faith on pilgrimage to the Holy Land . As an important multi-faith place of pilgrimage, visitors from all over the world to this monastery offer their devotion or pray for healing. It's almost at the end of the Karpaz peninsula, and is a place of reverence by both Turkish and Greek Cypriots. It's thought there's been a monastery here since Byzantine times, and is possibly the location of the surrender of Isaac Commenos to Richard the Lionheart in 1191. St Andrew, a follower of John the Baptist, was the first man who was called to become a priest, and as such received the title of “O Protoklidos”, which means “the first one to have been called”. One of the stories about him is that on his way to Jerusalem, the boat in which he was sailing ran out of water, As the captain, who was blind in one eye, was wondering how he would find water, St Andrew told him that he would find water in the place where the monastery now stands. Those who went ashore found water there, as they had been told. The water was brought back to the ship, and as the captain drank the water, sight returned to his eye. He wanted to reward Stndrew by giving him valuable goods but St Andrew would not accept them. Instead, the captain and his crew converted to Christianity. Afterwards, the captain bought a very valuble icon of StAndrew and put it by the well. Thereafter, the site became a place of pilgrimage known as "the Lourdes of Cyprus " and in the 15th century, a small chapel was built close to the shore, where you can still collect the healing water. The church of the main monastery dates to the 18th century, with main buildings 100 years younger. Although St Andrew is known primarily as a saint who is able to cure health problems related to the eyes, those who have other incurable illnesses or worries believe that they can be cured by praying to him too. Those who have their wishes granted, depending on the nature of their problem, leave a small figure of an eye, ear, hand or child made out of wax or metal next to the religious icons. Amongst the offerings made to StAndrew are money, silver, gold and other jewellery. Those who cannot come to the monastery can make an offering to him by taking a bottle of olive oil and throwing it into the sea at the closest point. It's believed that by taking control of the winds, St Andrew will ensure that sooner or later the bottles will be taken to the priests at the monastery. Mass pilgrimage only dates to the early 20th century. Apparently, in 1895, the son of Maria Georgiou was kidnapped. Seventeen years later, St Andrew appeared to her in a dream, telling her to pray for her son's return at the monastery. Living in Anatolia, she embarked on the crossing on a crowded boat. Telling her story during the journey, one of the passengers, a young Dervish priest, became more and more interested. Asking if her son had any distinguishing marks, and on hearing of a pair of birthmarks, he stripped off his clothes to reveal the same marks, and mother and son were reunited. On your arrival, you'll see a courtyard, surrounded by cloisters where the pilgrims once stayed. Looking towards the sea, you 'll see the bell tower of the church where you'll find some icons and normally some nuns or a retired priest acting as caretakers. The small chaperl which has been built next to it in the Gothic style is the monastery's oldest building, thought to have been built in the 15th century. The church to the far west of the chapel was built in 1867 by the priest of DIpkarpaz, Babayuannu Ilkonomou. The monastery rooms which are set arounf the church and chapel qwew built attsome poit after1912. Further down the slope, you'll reach the oldest part of the monastery and the holy well. On two days of the year, the monastery is really busy; August 15th, Assumption Day (when Mary was "assumed" into heaven to be reunited with her soul), and November 30th, which is St Andrew's day. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Cyprus and Russia. Although the monastery fell into disrepair in recent years, funding for refurbishment was provided by Church of Cyprus, EVKAF Administration and the United States Agency for International Developmen t (USAID). The first phase concerned the restoration of the main church, and the building of a new north arcade. On November 30th, St Andrew's day, the completed first phase was handed back to the Church of Cyprus, and a service was held. Phase two will see the chapel and the fountain close to the shore renovated. Phase three will see the restoration of the buildings to the north of the church, and the final phase will involve the completion of external works below the main road, and landscaping. Top Guides > Churches > Ayia Zone Church Ayia Zone is typical of Orthodox churches built in later medieval times, with Gothic architecture incorporated into otherwise Byzantine forms. In the south east of Famagusta, close to St Nikolas church , it's one of 3 remaining Byzantine churches in the area, the other being St Simeon . A simple cross-shaped church it may well stand on earlier foundations. It's likely this church was abandoned or used for other purposes during the Ottoman reign, as it's maintained itself very well throughout hundreds of years. Ayia Zone is dedicated to the sacred belt of the Virgin Mary . According to tradition, the Holy Belt was made by the Virgin Mary herself out of camel hair,. was about 90cm long, with strings at the end to tie it up. Three days after she died, during her ascension, she gave the belt to the Apostle Thomas. Thomas and the other Apostles opened her grave, but didn't find her body so the belt is seen as proof of her ascension into heaven. At some point, it must have had a piece of this cloth, a sacred relic of the clothing of Mary. It's currently used as a rehearsal room for a local theatre group and contains fragmentary frescoes of the Archangel Michael . Top Guides > Churches > Ayia Philon Church Dating to the 10thcentury, this church was dedicated to the saint who converted people of Karpaz to Christianity in the 4thcentury. It was built on top of ruins from Hellenistic and Roman periods and is pretty much all that remains of the Phoenician port of Karpasia. Founded by King Pygmalion of Cyprus , it was a flourishing trading port between Salamis and Anatolia. It was abandoned in 802 after Arab raiders sacked it and inhabitants moved inland, founding Dipkarpaz. Traces of the old harbour wall can still be seen offshore, but the majority of the village is now under sand dunes west of the church. The church is named after St Philo , who converted locals to Christianity, and had been ordained by St Epiphanios in the 4th Century. (St Epiphanios' Basilica is at Salamis). It's a typically domed Byzantine church, with a 3-part apse and a courtyard surrounded by columns. There's a cistern and baptising room, as well as numerous mosaics from the earlier structure. Top Guides > Churches > Ayias Trias Basilica To the North of the small village of Sipahi , this basilica has been dated to the end of the 5thcentury. Destroyed by Arab raiders in the 7th century, it was discovered by accident in 1957 and is famous for its well-preserved mosaics, but they've been left to the elements and their colours are fading. It must have been a grand building in its day, with the richness of the floors suggesting wealth of the surrounding areas in Byzantine times. Decorated with geometric, leaf and cross motifs, there's also an inscription in front of the main apse which credits a deacon called Heraclos as having “paid for the building of this part of the structure”. There are 3 unusual areas of mosaic. Two show pairs of sandals, one facing in and one facing outward as well as a representation of pomegranates. The site boasts remains of what must have been an impressive solea , a barrier running down the middle of the church, marking out spaces for clergy and other members of the congregation. A cross-shaped baptismal pool can be seen in the baptistery. There's also a number of wheat mills, thought to have been used to grind wheat for bread used in religious ceremonies. In May 2018, plans were announced for preservation works. Top Guides > Churches > Bellapais Abbey Bellapais Abbey, also known as Bellapais Monastery, was founded by the French ruler Aimery , to house Augustinian monks expelled from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre when Jerusalem fell to Saladin in 1187. Known as the “Abbaye de la Paix”, (Abbey of Peace), most of what remains dates from 1267–84, with the cloisters and refectory added in 1324–59. In its early years the monastery adopted strict beliefs, but as time went by it became known as a place where monks ate and drank to excess, took wives (sometimes two or three), had children, and would then only accept their own sons into the monastery as novices. Very French you might say. Though it built up considerable wealth, its treasure was plundered by the Genoese in 1373. After the Ottoman Conquest in 1571 the abbey became derelict, and was raided for its dressed building stone, although the church escaped as it was used by the local Greek Orthodox community. Vandalization of the monastery continued under the British, who even used the refectory as a rifle range. Very British you might say. It's not uncommon for Monasteries and abbeys to be built in spectacular locations and this is no exception. The ruins overlook the sea from a small square filled with trees, lawns, flowerbeds and park benches. When you go in, you’ll see the Kybele Restaurant , which occupies the abbey’s kitchen court, and a set of steps to the abbey’s medieval tower which is far too good a photo-op to miss.Tall Gothic arches standing shoulder to shoulder invite you into the cloisters. This is one of the iconic images of North Cyprus and a must visit place on your holidays. The flat roofed church is the most complete part of the monastery. North of the church are the cloisters, the most atmospheric part of the abbey. Poplar trees were planted in the quadrangle in 1940, and are now home to a flock of sparrows whose constant chirping just adds to the unique atmosphere of the place. To the north of the cloisters, accessed via a superb doorway with dog-tooth edges and three Lusignan coats of arms, is the refectory. 30m long, 10m wide and 12m high, it’s covered by a single-span stone vaulted roof, an architectural triumph considering it stands at the edge of a cliff. It's illuminated by natural light that streams through its windows, throwing shadows across the columns. At one end was the Abbot’s high table in front of long tables of the monks. There’s also a pulpit where scriptures would be read to silently eating monks. Outside the refectory is a fountain where monks would wash their hands and if you look carefully you can make out the Roman sarcophagus into which it’s been incorporated. Concerts and musical events take place in the abbey from May to October , mostly in the refectory. It’s also used for weddings during summer months, and it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful and romantic setting. Lawrence Durrell lived in Bellapais from 1953–56. His house is up from the abbey square, past the Tatlisu market on Aci Limon Sokak (Bitter Lemon Street) and has a ceramic plaque above the door. Across the road is the public water fountain (marked “ER 1953”), which played a prominent part in the tortuous and hilarious process of buying the house, which takes up a whole chapter in his book. Another chapter of the book is devoted to the “Tree of Idleness ” that stands opposite the abbey. Durrell was warned never to sit under it because “its shadow incapacitates one for serious work”, a belief that arose from the idle hours spent by many villagers under the tree. Legend has it that those who sit under the tree will become so lethargic and relaxed they’ll be unwilling to work, and Durrell was struck by how true this legend seemed. It‘s now the centrepiece of a pretty good restaurant. The Village Halfway between St Hilarion and Buffavento , 210m above sea level, is the flower-covered village of Bellapais. Full of narrow lanes and steep hills with views of Kyrenia, Bellapais is best known for its medieval abbey, one of the most beautiful in the eastern Mediterranean. The village itself is a step back in time, with quiet lanes and whitewashed houses. The name Bellapais comes from the French ‘belle paix’, meaning ‘beautiful peace ’. It's popular because of the abbey, but was also made more famous by English author Lawrence Durrell who lived here in the 1950s ,and included descriptions of the village and its inhabitants in his classic holiday reading book “Bitter Lemons ”. To find Bellapais, head east from Kyrenia, turn right at the Bellapais-signposted “peace” roundabout (with its two figures holding olive branches), then take the first main turning left. At the top of the hill, turn left at the roundabout, and continue on to the village where there’s parking. There’s no shortage of restaurants and bars in the village, with many in the square overlooking the abbey. While the abbey is definitely a must see, there’s also ancient crusader paths that criss-cross the mountains where you can follow in the footsteps of Richard the Lionheart. Accommodation There’s a good choice of accommodation if you’d like to stay in the village. A stone’s thrown from the Abbey is The Abbey Inn , a small boutique hotel with only ten rooms, small pool and a restaurant. Close by is another small but quality hotel called The Residence . Then there's Bellapais Monastery Village , and further down the road, about half-way to Kyrenia, is Altinkaya Holiday Village . A short walk from the abbey takes you to Bellapais Garden Top Guides > Churches > Ganchvor Monastery Ganchvor Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic church located within the walled city of Famagusta. The Armenians escaped Mameluke attacks against Ayas of Cilicia and arrived from the southern coast of Turkey, before the French Lusignans arrived. Like other non-Latin or non-Orthodox Christians, they settled in the Syrian quarter of the city, especially populated with Carmelites . The Armenian church was built in 1346 by Armenian refugees from Cilicia in a typical fortress-like Armenian style with Cypriot masonry. and was part of an important monastic and cultural centre, where Saint Nerses Lampronatsi is said to have studied in the 12th century, suggesting it was an important theological institute. A scriptorium devoted to the writing, copying and illuminating of manuscripts operated here, manuscripts of which survive at the Armenian Saint James’ Monastery in Jerusalem. After the Ottoman siege, the church became unused from 1571. Records show that until 1862, it featured a small bell-tower. It was preserved by the Department of Antiquities in 1907 and in 1936 it was leased to the Armenian community of Famagusta for a period of 99 years. After repairs between 1937 and 1944, the first liturgy was held on 14 January 1945 by Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni, but it was partially burnt by militia in 1957. After being repaired, it was used as a church until 1962. It was taken over by Turkish Cypriots and then in August 1974 by the Turkish military. Even after the partial lifting of movement restrictions by Northern Cyprus in 2003, it was still inaccessible, as it was located within a "military area". It’s now accessible. It's small, with only one aisle and a cylindrical apse. The roof is in the shape of a cruciform, and the apse is covered with a semi-dome. There is some evidence that a second chapel was added to the north east, but this hasn’t survived. Outside the church, crosses have been inscribed on the wall by pilgrims as a declaration of faith. Beyond the southern door, you can also see traces of a medieval sun dial . It adjoins the Carmelite church, which was established at a similar period, as part of a monastic complex dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Top Guides > Churches > Panagia Chrysopolitissa Kyrenia's Oldest Church. Dating to the 1500’s it was built as a Latin church and set in narrow back streets behind Kyrenia Harbour, almost opposite the rear entrance to the Folk Art Museum . The interesting architectural feature is a Gothic doorway on the north side. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is also depicted on the wall of the front entrance. Though now blocked up it doesn't appear to be in its' original state and may well have come from another, and larger, Gothic building. Top Guides > Churches > Panayia Pergamininiotissa A late Byzantine church, dating from the 11th century in Tatlısu, an unspoilt coastal village 20 km from Esentepe. Has a interesting cylindrical apse but the building is square shaped, with the roof in the form of a cross, topped with a drum on which sits a small dome. It may have been built over a much earlier one, as foundations were exposed outside the apse during renovation. Wall paintings from the 11th and 12th centuries have mainly been removed, although some still remain. Look carefully and you can see the overgrown ruined foundations of buildings that once surrounded the church, reached via some paths. Works to prevent deterioration of the building means it is no longer possible to get inside, however it is still worth taking a look at, especially if you plan to tour the Minia Cyprus Museum within the same grounds, another must-see for visitors. Top Guides > Churches > Sourp Magar Monastery Also known as Magaravank , this is an Armenian monastery set in a forested valley in the Alevkaya range. First established in the 11th century as a Coptic (Egyptian Christian) monastery, it came into Armenian hands about the 15th century. The Armenians retained control of its lands under Venetian and Ottoman rule when it was often called the Blue Monastery, on account of the colour of the doors and windows. 530 metres above sea level, also referred to as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, Sourp Magar had been a religious centre for Armenians for centuries, the quiet surroundings providing a haven for clergymen and laymen alike. The Armenian community in Nicosia used it as a summer retreat, and it became a stopover for pilgrims headed for Jerusalem. It once housed a collection of manuscripts and other sacred items which were relocated to the Holy See of Cilicia in 1947. Upheavals in the Ottoman empire at the beginning of the 20th century resulted in the arrival of thousands of Armenian refugees to the island, and the monastery opened its doors to orphans and those in need. It helped feed the hungry by developing farming on monastery lands which ran to around 3,000 acres. Although the last monks left in the early 20th century, the monastery remained a favourite place for Armenian families and schools to visit, as the grounds were particularly pleasant, especially in hot summer months. The residential buildings at Sourp Magar are extremely important for the history of architecture in Cyprus, being the best-preserved and most extensive examples of late medieval domestic building on the island, even in its current state. It consists of an irregular rectangle of two-storied residential buildings constructed around a generous precinct, sited on an overall slope. Two small churches or chapels, standing in the north-east part of the central courtyard, stand side-by-side. The largest chapel, with its vault still in place, was built in 1814. The line of residential buildings facing towards the north and east probably belong to the 15th century judging from the shape and style of the Gothic windows and doors. One window has a chevron design, a characteristic feature of later Gothic building in Cyprus. These buildings were probably put up when the Armenians first took possession of the site. Internally, the buildings are two-storied, with a simple arcade below and a walkway above. The walkway was originally edged by stone posts with wooden lintels. The roofs throughout rested on wooden beams and were covered with curved tiles. Inside the monastery enclosure you can still see the remains of an orchard with a tiny church and pilgrims’ cells lining the east and south perimeter walls. It's well worth a visit to soak up the atmosphere, marvel at the distant views or even picnic in the grounds. Armenians retain great attachment to their ancient establishment and pilgrimages have been made there in recent years. Access to this monastery lies on the road that leads from the Five Finger Mountain to Alevkaya. After driving for about 6.5km, looking down at the valley below, the monastery buildings will be seen nestling among the pine trees. Top Guides > Churches > St Andrews Church One of two Anglican churches in North Cyprus, St Andrew’s was built in 1913 thanks to the generosity of a lay reader Ernest Eldred McDonald and a wealthy Scottish mine owner George Houstoun, and is approaching 110 years of service to the Kyrenia community. The site of the Church was well chosen. A few yards from Kyrenia Castle and the Harbour , it's near to the centre of the town and much of the congregation is holiday visitors. Well seen from the outside, the church tower itself was constructed 25 years after the main build. Items of interest within the church include the bowl of the font, which is a domestic marble mortar found in 1949 at Lambousa and dated to the 6th century A.D. It's part of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf (one of the four dioceses that make up the Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East), which includes Cyprus, the Gulf States, Iraq and Yemen, and also a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Top Guides > Churches > St Anne Church The church of St Anne was probably built in the early 14th Century and was part of a monastic complex. It was erected in what was known as the Syrian quarter and was originally a Latin, Catholic church before it was passed to Maronites later in the century. Located in the walled city of Famagusta, next to the Martinengo Bastion , it forms part of the “Martinengo Cluster” – a collection of monuments conserved to promote the economic growth and territorial development of those regions. St Anne was restored by both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities in 2018. It consists of a single nave with 2 bays, with groin vaults separated by transverse ribs. The walls are supported by external buttresses, between which are tall windows, a typically Gothic feature. It's believed the original facade supported a belfry. Top Guides > Churches > St Barnabas Monastery Head west from Salamis and you’ll come to the Monastery of St Barnabas, once one of the most important Christian sites, now an archaeological and icon museum. Said to have been built as the result of a divinely inspired dream, it consists of the church of St Barnabas and monastery cloisters, which is a colonnade of pillars on three sides of a lush and well-tended garden. An extension. further colonnades and a campanile, though modern, fits in pretty well with the rest of the building. The white domes are the local landmarks. The buildings An archaeological museum housed in rooms that overlook the garden, contains Neolithic axe-heads, Bronze Age pottery, Iron Age antiquities and Ottoman artefacts. A stunning collection dating back to the 7th Century BC, they're kept in the monks' old cells and are mostly intact. It also has a small gift shop and restaurant. An Icon Museum housed in the church of St Barnabas is a large collection of lit-up icons, depicting mostly well-known religious figures which are in great condition. Some of the Orthodox furnishings remain, including the pulpit, a chair and the iconostasis or screen. Four frescoes to the right of the entrance tell the story of the finding of St Barnabas’s body. What is said to be the tomb of the Barnabas himself is housed in a 1950s-built mausoleum about 100 yards from the monastery, built on the spot where his remains were discovered. Brief History St Barnabas is the patron saint of Cyprus . Over the years, Cyprus had rulers with different religious beliefs which have intermingled and the result is an island with mixed religions, churches and mosques. In Roman times most people practised Judaism, including St. Barnabas who came from Salamis. He travelled to the Holy Land to study law, met Paul the apostle and converted to Christianity. He was made the Archbishop of Salamis, returned, founded the Cypriot church and became a preacher. See The Bible Acts 4: 36-37, & Acts 13: 1-5 for reference. He convinced the Roman ruler Sergius Paulus to adopt Christianity, making Cyprus the first country in the world to have a Christian ruler. Together with his cousin Mark the Evangelist and the pivotal St Paul, he travelled extensively in both Cyprus and Asia Minor, spreading the gospel. Barnabas was so successful the Jewish elders in Salamis had him stoned to death around 75 AD. Mark retrieved his body and buried it secretly in a cave to the west of the city. Over time, the location of the cave was forgotten. 400 years later Cypriot Church under Archbishop Anthemios was faced with a takeover bid by Antioch , the patriarch of which claimed the right to rule over the island’s Christians, a claim supported by Byzantine Emperor Zeno . In 478 AD, when all seemed lost, Anthemios was visited in a dream by the spirit of St Barnabas, who told him where his body was buried – beneath a distinctive carob tree on the western edge of Salamis. Anthemios discovered a skeleton along with a copy of The Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew by St Barnabas himself. Anthemios shot off to Constantinople, donated the book to the Emperor and the Church of Cyprus was triumphantly granted autonomous status. Zeno also paid for a monastery to be built over the saint’s final resting place. In Cyprus, most churches feature an icon of Barnabas holding St Matthew’s gospel, placed in the backrest of the bishop’s chair. St Barnabas is said to be the patron saint of peace making and hailstorms , with St. Barnabas day taking place on June 11th. The monastery crumbled over the years and was replaced in the 18th Century. It was rebuilt with three domes, but lack of foundations and soft soil made one of the domes and an apse collapse. The third dome wasn’t replaced but the walls of the original apse can still be seen. Top Guides > Churches > St Francis Church During the life of St Francis of Assisi, this was the most important structure of the Franciscan order in Cyprus. It was part of a Franciscan monastery in the north of the Royal Palace of Venice, built by priests. Today it can be found close to the Venetian Palace. It consists of a three-sided apse with a small chapel off the south side. Buttressing supported the external walls. It was built in the 14th Century with funding supplied by Henry II who was known for his close ties with the Franciscans. Henry's reign was anything but peaceful. He saw the fall of Acre in 1291, was imprisoned himself from 1306 to 1310, and saw the disbandment of the Knights Templars in 1313. He funded the building of this church, the fortification of Famagusta, and the start of the rebuilding of St Nicholas Cathedral. The Franciscans were founded in 1209 by Francis of Assisi as part of the Catholic Church. Followers gave up all their possessions and life to live in poverty and they became famous for their love, simplicity and practices. Francis himself was believed to have visited Cyprus during a trip to the Holy Land during the Crusades. The Franciscans are one of the oldest and most important Latin religious groups in Cyprus, and their monasteries in Famagusta have become some of the city's most important religious structures. The site housed a monastery that occupied a large area within the city and because of its proximity, the Royal Palace once had a private entrance to the monastery and church, through a steeped road. Nobles from Famagusta, Genoa and overseas who contributed to the construction of the church are buried in this area. Archaeologists discovered tombs dating back to 1314-1474 under the church. Structurally, it resembled the Church of Mary with side chapels added. Outside walls are supported by struts, and visitors can see medieval stone workmanship outside the western gate. The monastery, which didn't survive, was believed to be located to the southwest of the church. Top Guides > Churches > St George of the Greeks Church This Nestorian Church , officially known as the Church of St George the Exile r, is in Famagusta. Not to be confused with St George of the Latins , it is the second largest church in Famagusta, and during the middle ages served as a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Built in the 12th century around the time St Nicholas Cathedral was initiated, it was financed by East Syrian Nestorian merchants, the Lakhas brothers, who were known for their immense wealth. It's architecture and decorations were reminiscent of Southern French and Italian Gothic churches of the time, and may have been influenced by King Peter I’ s visit to Avignon in 1363, although its' architecture is also reminiscent of the 12th–13th century Crusader architecture in Palestine and Syria. The Orthodox Cathedral When the French Catholic Lusignans took rule of the island in 1191, they inherited an island that was predominately eastern Orthodox, and they immediately reduced the power of the church. In doing so, the southeast corner of Famagusta became a compact Greek quarter, and a conglomeration of several churches came about, most still inherent today and within close proximity of one another. Although there was a perfectly serviceable cathedral church, namely the small Byzantine St Simeon Church , the Orthodox community wanted a place of worship that rivalled its neighbouring counterparts. They built the much greater church with a wide central nave, two side aisles and huge columns that held up the nave vaulting. Gothic elements were also added to the church’s north side to create a hybrid form of architecture that makes this 14th century Byzantine figure somewhat rare amongst Mediterranean churches. The central nave also featured chapels on both sides, leading to a cross nave, all with rounded apses. St George of the Greeks became the Orthodox cathedral of Famagusta and was dedicated to St Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis , who had gained a reputation as a strong defender of orthodoxy. It's believed the saint’s remains were formerly buried at the adjacent St Simeon before his body was taken to Constantinople by Emperor Leo in the 9th century. Unfortunately, the structure was too large, with insufficient buttressing and a roof that was just too heavy, and years of modifications and renovations followed. The pillars throughout the nave were expanded to take more weight, and the roof was inserted with large upturned terracotta pots to spread the load. The church was not in existence long enough to find out if the revised compositions were sustainable. Taking the brunt of the Ottomans, evidence of which is still very evident in the remaining walls, the main of the build stood for a little over a hundred years. Siege of Famagusta After the capture of the city, the church was converted into a stable for camels , with worship here only being permitted once a year, during the feast of St George the Exiler. The Ottoman siege in 1571 left its marks on the structure and visitors today can still see cannon ball marks on the top of the church and cannonballs still embedded in the walls. Consequently, little remains of its vaulted roof. It's believed that during this era the apse was used as a shooting gallery, and there is much evidence in the form of bullet holes to be seen. By the 18th century, it was more or less abandoned, with only a handful of residents living near to the desolate churches. Sailors from the nearby port would disembark and come into the city, sometimes sketching drawings of their ships into the plaster of these derelict churches. Some of these etchings can be seen at the western end of the St George Greek church. In 1905, the British administration handed the church to Greek Cypriots , who used it as their parish. By the 1930’s, many frescoes that were previously observed had disappeared, and between 1937 and 1939, Greek Cypriots undertook excavations and repaired some parts of the build. The church is still nevertheless home to numerous frescoes dated to the 14th and 15th centuries, depicting the life of Christ. Unlike Byzantine Orthodox churches, the frescoes in the Nestorian Church were not part of a unified design, and many were painted in differing periods by various artists. Visitors can still make out the faint outlines of once-rich frescos upon the interior stone walls. The apse on the other hand may have had a unified design, but this is impossible to ascertain given the level of damage. The church walls are made of ashlar and the structure has three naves and three apses. All three naves have entrances to their west. Originally, the church was built with a single nave and a protruding apse while the other two naves and two minor apses were added at a later date. Some fragments of wall paintings still cling to the walls of the eastern apse, and pieces of pottery jars sit within the ceiling, which were thought to improve the church acoustics. During the pre-Ottoman modifications, collars were added to support the overweight, and visitors will notice the remains of the iron clamps that were used to hold the blocks together. A drawing of the church from the 18th century shows a dome on the church, not unlike the one on the nearby St Nikolas Church , an octagonal drum with the dome sat on top. Even with the extra support added to the pillars, eventually the dome has fallen to inexistence. Along the walls of the church, you can see several arched niches. These alcoves were the tombs of the patrons of the church. The sarcophagus was at ground level, while the brackets you can see would have held a stone slab, probably with an effigy of the deceased carved on it. It's believed these niches were built after the walls, and their construction further weakened the roof support. Excavations on this site have also unearthed coloured glass, most likely from the old church windows. The only church in Famagusta that still has a bell, the Church of St George of the Greeks is one of the best-preserved from medieval times despite the damage incurred and yet another impressive ruin to add to your visit list with much to discover. Top Guides > Churches > St George of the Latins Church Sitting amid a traffic intersection, St George of the Latins is one of Famagusta’s oldest churches. Located in the northern part of the old city, close to Othello’s Tower , the remaining walls with their distinctive lancet windows, are a great example of early Gothic architecture. Though the precise date of its construction is unknown, evidence of a fortified parapet where defenders could protect the church, indicates that St George was built at a time when the Lusignans had not yet completed the city walls, most likely in the last quarter of the 13th century, using materials removed from Salamis. Its design is said to be inspired by Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, considered among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture, and consecrated in 1248. Despite what remains today is predominantly the northern and eastern walls, the remnants indicate what the edifice may have looked like in its prime. Thin columns built into the walls were usually elaborately carved with religious figures or with coats of arms belonging to benefactors of the church. Areas of the walls between the pillars were structured to be relatively free of weight, one of the main features of Gothic architecture, granting huge windows and substantial sunlight to enter the church. In the south west corner, the first steps of what was a spiral staircase leading up to the roof can be seen, and to the north west, remnants of a guard house with a conical roof, the entrance doorway still unmistakable. Following the line of the roof you can still see some of the protective wall, complete with arrow slots, another reason researchers believe the church was built before the city walls were completed. As was the case with most of the towering buildings, the city walls didn't provide complete protection and the church suffered damage during the Ottoman siege of 1570 – 1571, some of which can still be observed on the eastern wall of the church. The only entrance which survives is to the north, and this is comparatively well preserved. It's surrounded by carvings – a gargoyle in the form of a monk opening his mouth with his hand, most likely used to drain water from the walls, and also of a lion devouring a lamb. Not to be confused with the similarly named St George of the Greeks church which is a few minutes walk away. Top Guides > Churches > St Mamas Monastery Dedicated to the island’s beloved tax-repelling patron saint, the monastery was formerly the site of a pagan temple. St Mamas Monastery in Guzelyurt is the third most important place of worship for the Greek Orthodox in North Cyprus, after the St Barnabas Tomb at Famagusta and the Apostolos Andreas Monastery in Karpaz . Today it also houses several significant icons and artefacts. Legendary Tales According to local legend, Mamas was a hermit living in extremely poor circumstances in a cave outside of town. When the authorities tried to tax him, he pleaded poverty and evaded them for some time. Soldiers were sent out to recoup the levy and arrested him at his dwelling. On the way back he escaped by jumping on to the back of a ferocious lion attacking a lamb, and he rode it all the way into town while carrying the injured lamb in his arms. On seeing this sight, the Byzantine authorities were so impressed that they decided to exempt him from paying taxes for the rest of his life and of any punishment. Since then, St Mamas has been the Patron Saint of tax avoiders and so famous locally there are over 10 churches on the island dedicated to this Christian Saint. Another tale says Mamas was killed in Anatolia and placed by his family in a stone coffin aided by Jesus Christ. The story continues with the coffin swept away to sea and washed up on the shores of Guzelyurt Bay. Discovered by a local farmer, he harnessed the immensely hefty coffin to two oxen and hauled it as far as the beasts could manage, and when they could go no further, a church was built around it. The Church Most of this compound dates from the 18th century but its Iconostasis, the lavish wall of icons and religious paintings separating the nave from the sanctuary, is a gorgeous sample of artful wood carving of the 16th century. The church in the monastery was originally a Byzantine building, built on the site of an Aphrodite temple. It has been reconstructed at various times over the centuries, and most of the buildings today date to the 18th century, when the large central dome was also added. The side portals and columns of the nave survive from an earlier Gothic church built by the Lusignans. A strange mixture of Gothic and Byzantine styles, it’s more spacious than many other Orthodox churches on the island. It has a central nave, apse, and two side aisles, with the grand dome that rises above the nave at the altar end, pierced by six tall narrow windows. The columns are decorated with foliar carvings, vine leaves and visages carved with clear delineation. Into the Iconostasis are incorporated marble panels that are carved with Venetian coats of arms, and there are two marble pillars on either side of the Holy Door that are evidence of early recycling, probably from an earlier church, though not necessarily on this site. The pulpit was built in 1711, and the oldest icon is dated to around 1745. There’s no evidence this church was ever in use by members of the Catholic faith and therefore presumably it has always been a place of Orthodox worship. The most beautiful exhibit in the church is the magnificent crystal chandelier that hangs in the centre of the apse and surprises every visitor upon entry through the side entrance as its plain outer façade gives no hint of the splendid interior. Hundreds of droplets glow with all the iridescence of the spectrum when the lamps are lit, and it's flanked by smaller, though equally elegant, examples of the glass-blowers craft. St Mamas is shown as a relief on the outside of the church, as well as on several icons inside. Monastery buildings are to the north and east, and records show them as being built in 1779. Architecturally, the arches on the front of the northern buildings that reflect a traditional style, are quite different to those on the eastern side, which have a resemblance to 18th century Ottoman inns, with stone columns on the ground floor and timber balconies on the second. Tomb of St Mamas The marble sarcophagus of the Saint can be found forming part of the north wall of the church, surrounded by richly carved decorations, many in the shape of ear drums, depicting scenes of excruciating martyrdom. It’s said that during Ottoman rule, believing there was treasure hidden in the coffin, they pierced holes into its lid, from which in turn an ointment liquid oozed out. This liquid, which appeared at irregular intervals, was purported to have curative properties. Around the tomb you will see offerings in the shape of ears since St Mamas is not only the Patron Saint of tax avoiders, but also of those suffering ear aches and infections! Icon Museum Whilst the Icon collection isn't as extensive as the collection at the St Barnabas Monastery, St Mamas remains without doubt the most beautiful and best kept of all the Orthodox churches that are preserved as Icon Museums on the island, and is the highlight of any visit to Güzelyurt . The magnificent collection of religious Icons is certainly worth seeing, as is the skilled art and craftwork dating back many centuries. Top Guides > Churches > St Mary Church Located in the bastion precinct, this church was one of the city’s larger buildings. In the 13th century, middle eastern Christians fled the Holy Land and although Christian, their beliefs weren't Latin or Orthodox and they tended to congregate in the same area. In1311, Pope Clement V allowed the Carmelites to settle in Cyprus. Two other mendicant orders, the Franciscan and Dominican , were established 15 years prior and the Augustinians, the last of the mendicant orders, arrived shortly after. The Carmelites originated from the Carmel mountains of Northern Israel and settled in what later became known as the Syrian quarter of the city. The church was built in the 14th Century as part of a monastic complex dedicated to the Virgin Mary , hence its name. Other churches were built in the town at the same time, as Famagusta was one of the richest cities in Christendom. It was close to where the Venetians would later build the Martinengo Bastion in the 16th century. It adjoined the Armenian monastery, established at the same time, and was next to other monasteries Located in the bastion precinct, this church was one of the city’s larger buildings. In the 13th century, middle eastern Christians fled the Holy Land and although Christian, their beliefs weren't Latin or Orthodox and they tended to congregate in the same area. In1311, Pope Clement V allowed the Carmelites to settle in Cyprus. Two other mendicant orders, the Franciscan and Dominican , were established 15 years prior and the Augustinians, the last of the mendicant orders, arrived shortly after. The Carmelites originated from the Carmel mountains of Northern Israel and settled in what later became known as the Syrian quarter of the city. The church was built in the 14th Century as part of a monastic complex dedicated to the Virgin Mary , hence its name. Other churches were built in the town at the same time, as Famagusta was one of the richest cities in Christendom. It was close to where the Top Guides > Churches > St Nikolas Church This is one of 3 remaining Byzantine churches in Famagusta. St Nikolas is a small double-aisled church that history has taken its toll on, although some parts still remain and are visible. The structure had 2 domes , noticeable at the top of the piers. Below the window of the dome, a visible groove indicates something was lowered from here, possibly a chandelier or maybe the church bell. Three small holes in the wall create a triangular formation and behind these are hollow spaces made of clay pots that have been built in – a technique that lightened load to make it structurally more reliable. At the same time, these pots were thought to create better acoustics , creating a more heavenly aura. If you try chanting you can judge for yourself.. Top Guides > Churches > St Simeon Church In the early 14th century, the Church of St Simeon in Famagusta was described as the metochion of a Sinai monastery. Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt , controlled by the Church of Sinai and part of the Greek Orthodox Church, owned lands in Cyprus. The Sinai founded the priory of Saint Simeon, which Pope John XXII endowed with privileges in 1334. The term metochion when used with a monastery describes a dependent of the senior monastery, almost like a child that's being given blessing and support, to develop into an autonomous monastery or society. The metochion would perhaps receive clergy from that monastery or other forms of support. St Simeon is one of 3 churches remaining in Famagusta that were built during Byzantine rule, the others being Ayia Zoni and St Nikolas. An orthodox Bishopric was established early, and the Agios Simeon became the Orthodox Cathedral when citizens of Salamis moved to Famagusta. The cathedral was cruciform in shape and would have supported a dome. There were two aisles, each with a semi-circular apse and altar, situated behind a decorated iconostasis. It's reputed that the remains of St Epiphanios, Bishop of Salamis , were once enshrined here although his remains were taken to Constantinople by Emperor Leo in the 9th century. The St George church is also attached to the north wall, dedicated to this Bishop who had gained a reputation as a defender of orthodoxy. The Orthodox community built this newer and grander church alongside the old Simeon which later became abandoned. Top Guides > Churches > The Twin Churches Among the many churches in Famagusta, these two medieval buildings have an exhilarating story. Officially named Templars Church of St John and Hospitallers Church of St John they were built alongside one another within the same century, and together are known as the Twin Churches. The larger and older of the two is the Templars and together they were the centres of the two orders in Cyprus. Also known as the Knights Templa r, they formed one of the three great military orders of knighthood, founded around 1119 to protect pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. They quickly rose to legendary wealth and influence for two centuries. At the head of the order was the Master of the Temple at Jerusalem until 1291. With the gradual loss of their possessions in the Holy Land and the fall of the Latin kingdom, the Templars relocated their headquarters to Cyprus which they had once previously acquired from King Richard I of England in 1192. The Hospitallers were a Christian organisation founded in Jerusalem in 1080, founded by St John the Almoner of Amathus , son of the Byzantine Governor of Cyprus Epiphanios, and provided care for poor, sick or injured or injured pilgrims to the Holy Land, and soon became the other Christian force in the region. After the first Crusade it became a military order, charged with upkeep and defence of the Holy Land. They soon became the most powerful Christian groups in the area, enjoying similar privileges and prosperity to the Templars, and, like them, sought refuge in Cyprus in 1291 after the fall of Acre, the crusaders’ last Levantine bastion. After their heyday, the two famous fighting orders of the Crusaders’ period met with very contrasting fates. Following the failed papal attempt to merge them into one, the Hospitallers were able to establish a lasting rule in Rhodos , while the Templars, persecuted by Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V , were dissolved and many of them burned at stake. The Hospitallers became involved in Cypriot politics. After the Templars were dissolved, they took over their Cypriot properties. Nonetheless, they constructed their own church abutting the older church, hence the Twin Churches of Famagusta, a testimony to the two orders’ adventures in Cyprus. A later addition saw a passage built connecting the churches. Above the doorway of the Templars, you can see a small rose window and above the opposite door, the coats of arms of the Knights Hospitallers are still visible. The belfry of this church is a much later addition, dating to the 16th century. Various Byzantine frescoes from the same period can be seen to this day on these walls. These churches have been since restored and are an historic site for thousands of visitors each year. A hundred metres over from the Twin Churches is the Somineli Ev or Chimney House , a hybrid of exterior Venetian architecture meets interior Ottoman design. The building has been modified since and is used for arts and crafts exhibitions. Top

TRNC Culture - Barber Shops, Charities, Cittaslow, Evil Eyes, Festivals, Folklore, Meyhanes, Music, Myths & Legends, Radio Stations, Stamps, The Noble Peasant, Theatre, Traditional Crafts Guides > Culture Barber Shops Festivals Myths & Legends Theatre Charities Folklore Radio Stations Traditional Crafts Cittaslow Meyhanes Stamps Evil Eyes Music The Noble Peasant Guides > Culture > Barber Shops Always ask the price before committing yourself to a seat in the barbers’ chair as they have been known to vary charges even though they have a standard price list. There are various options open to you, but most men seem to go for a traditional shave and this is what you can expect: Your face is washed with warm water to soften up the bristles. The barber will then whip up foam in a cup using traditional ‘traş ’ soap and apply a first layer to your chin, neck and sideburns . While that's soaking in you'll often be treated to a neck and temple massage. The second coat of shaving soap is applied to the same areas as before, and the barber will work his magic with his razor or ‘ustura ’– a typical straight razor that flicks open like a pen-knife. If you're unfortunate enough to suffer the odd nick, the barber will produce what is known as a ‘blood stone’ or ‘kantaşı ’ in Turkish. This involves a quick rub to the nick which will stop the bleeding immediately. Now for your cheekbones . This is the real treat and there are two ways of removing unwanted cheekbone hair. First option is dipping cotton wool into some pure alcohol, then lighting it and brushing it quickly over the cheekbones. Don’t worry, it's not painful or dangerous, but there is a faint whiff of burnt hair after. Second option is to use a length of cotton, which is twisted and drawn across the cheekbone, plucking out the hairs. You might know this technique as "threading ". To finish the look, you can have nasal and ear hairs trimmed as well. The barber will use a modern little shaver to do the nostrils, but the ears will be done with the cotton wool and alcohol method. Finally, just so everyone knows you’ve just been to the barbers, traditional lemon essence cologne is patted around the shaven areas, and to top it all off a good slap of moisturising face cream and you may even get a shoulder massage as well. Baby, smacked and bottom are all words to describe your finished appearance and you 'll certainly feel refreshed and invigorated! Top Guides > Culture > Charities ATA - Anglo Turkish Association One of the largest NGO's in TRNC. Non-profit making, it aims to promote understanding and mutual respect between expats and locals. Membership is open to all English speakers who live for at least part of the year in TRNC. It has important cultural, educational and charitable aims, and also organises social gatherings, lectures, seminars, concerts, exhibitions and excursions which are also open to non-members. BRS - British Residents’ Society Established 1975, provides support and advice for British passport holders. Has direct access to the British High Commission and to Government Departments of the TRNC and enjoys their support. CESV - Civil Emergency Service Volunteers Local and expat volunteers who assist emergency services and work in conjunction with Civil Defence. KAR - Kyrenia Animal Rescue Animal Rescue Centre high in the Besparmak Mountains provides refuge for hundreds of dogs and cats. Employees run the centre; care for the animals and provide advice to the public while volunteers collect animals; conduct veterinary visits; groom; staff a charity shop; fund-raise and do eduation visits. NCCCT – North Cyprus Cancer Charity Trust Formed late 1980s. Provides medical equipment to help cancer patients in state hospitals. RBL - Royal British Legion, Kyrenia Branch Formed 1st October 2011 and currently has over 300 members. SOS Children’s Villages in North Cyprus Built in Lefkosa in 1993. Today, as well as the Village, they have an SOS Youth Facility, an SOS Nursery and an SOS Social Centre. Family Strengthening Programme enables children who are at risk of losing the care of their family to grow within a caring family environment. Children live with a family in a warm and safe house, are encouraged to become active community members, and provided with education and life training they need to become independent adults. SPOT - Society for Protection of Turtles Founded late 1980s, provided accommodation on land at Alagadi, which is still used by the Marine Turtle Conservation Project (MTCP). TFR - The Foreign Residents in the TRNC Formed in 1998. Participate in the maintenance of the international cemeteries. TULIPS - Help Those With Cancer Association Cancer is one of the hardest battles to be faced and Tulips is there to help, irrespective of nationality. Top Guides > Culture > Cittaslow Cittaslow is part of a global cultural trend known as the slow movement. An organisation founded in Italy, Cittaslow’s goals include improving the quality of life in towns by slowing down its overall pace, especially in their use of spaces and the flow of life and traffic through them. Living in a Cittaslow town means having a cleaner environment, eating wholesome food, participating in a rich social life that respects the values of tradition, and openings to persons of other cultures. Northern Cyprus is a member of this organisation, and the official Cittaslow towns of Lefke, Tatlisu, Geçitkale, Yeniboğaziçi near Famagusta and Mehmetcik in the Karpaz region, all represent this culture, hosting events throughout the year characterising the Cittaslow way of life. The Cittaslow manifesto states: “We are looking for towns where men are still curious of the old times, towns rich of theatres, squares, cafes, workshops, restaurants and spiritual places, towns with untouched landscapes and charming craftsman where people are still able to recognise the slow course of the Seasons and their genuine products respecting tastes, health and spontaneous customs.” For the avid traveller, these towns are well worth a visit and attending one of the many events a pleasurable experience. Top Guides > Culture > Evil Eyes No matter where you go in Northern Cyprus, you’ll come across an evil eye gem . These blue beads are known locally as Nazar Boncukare and are hung in homes, cars, shops, restaurants, used as an accessory in jewellery, and even embedded into walls and arches. The humble beads play an important function for Turkish Cypriots as they ward off and protect the owner from “evil eyes ”, bad luck or sickness. This tradition dates from pre-Christian times, when people believed that a look of hate from one person to another could bring upon illness, bad luck or even death. Hatred, jealousy or even extreme affection can also be the cause of any potential adverse experiences. The blue evil eye beads are made from glass, and should also contain iron, copper, water and salt, a more resistant ingredient against evil. Don’t underestimate the protective powers of these gems. You’ll find one in almost every jeweller or gift shop, and imake great souvenirs. Top Guides > Culture > Festivals North Cyprus has a large festival scene, with more organised every year. Village festivals may play on the particular speciality the village lends its name to, or it may be international music and culture festivals at some of the great historical venues. Festival season runs from March to October . Village fairs have grown in popularity over the last few years enabling the public to see traditions and culture of Turkish Cypriot life, as well as giving locals a chance to show off their skills and wares including cookery displays, arts and crafts demonstrations, competitions and the ever popular folk dance displays. Buy local products made in their traditional fashion or have a go at making them at the Büyükkonuk Eco-festival . Festivals are generally organised by the local municipality, with sponsors for some of the larger exhibitions and displays. North Cyprus is also becoming well known for its international musical events, with big names attending events including classical tenors, Turkish pop singers, plus old favourites like Boney M and Bonnie Tyler . The International Bellapais Music Festival held in the stunning Bellapais Monastery, has featured international classical groups, orchestras and individuals to amaze the crowds. Equally, theInternational Famagusta Art & Culture Festival is growing in stature with theatre and music events mostly being held at the Salamis Antique theatre. Besides music and village festivals there's also the cinematic and arts festivals of North Cyprus, featuring something for everyone to enjoy. Some of the festivals available in Northern Cyprus: Name Month Top Guides > Culture > Folklore Many countries around the world have a traditional dance that has been passed down through the generations and Northern Cyprus is no different. Folklore occupies a very important place with the locals as they've benefited from an assortment of civilisations that have all influenced the cultural heritage and folklore represents its unity and identity. Dances One popular folk dance is the Karsilama , where men and women perform together. It's a long series of dances presented by pairs of friends dancing face to face with a smiling mimic. Dancing in perfect timing, the men and women typically present different, but complimentary, moves. The Sirto is recognised as the oldest folk dance, where dancers hold each other’s wrists forming a circle. There are twelve basic steps involved, where one dancer leads the rest of the participants, varying the tempo. In some parts of Sirto, pairs of dancers hold a handkerchief from its two sides, as can also sometimes be seen in Karsilama. Individual dancers may show talents like spinning, jumping, kneeling or hitting their feet or legs or the ground with their hands. Costumes The colourful costumes worn by folk dancers in Northern Cyprus reflect the origins of the dances. The women wear colourful headdresses and jewellery, and dress in eye-catching dresses, usually knee length. The men wear white shirts with black knee-length trousers, and a wide red cloth belt. Combined with their blue waistcoats and red fez hats, their dashing folk dancing costume is completed by a pocket watch or handkerchief. Music A live folk dance nowadays is likely to be performed to a tape but traditional folk dances are usually accompanied by musicians, playing traditional instruments such as the zurna, a reed instrument with a distinctive and evocative Middle Eastern sound. Two types of drums can also be played, the smaller darbuka played with both hands, and the larger davul which is beaten with a stick. A violin is also usually played, and other instruments can be added, such as an accordion, or mandolin. Other than the folk music which accompanies dancing, entertainment and shows, other genre of “Türkü’s” are equally important, the most famous being “Dillirga”, “Kebapçıların Şişi” (“the skewers of the kebab makers”) and “Portakal Atışalım” (“let’s throw each other oranges”). Events & Festivals Dancing is a way of life in Northern Cyprus and can be seen in bridal showers, weddings, festivals and harvest time and is a way to show emotions of joy and gratitude. Turkish Cypriot folk dances are not only significant because they're enjoyed by locals, but also because they receive acclaim in other parts of the world, with folk-dance groups routinely representing Northern Cyprus at international festivals. The annual “Folk Dance International Festival ” is also held in Iskele, usually around the end of June, attracting groups from around the world. Lasting a week, the festival brings together the beauty of diverse cultures. It’s quite a sight to see younger generation of Cypriot folk dancers getting to grips with the sickle dance, when the sickles they're holding are almost as tall as them. Traditional dances are a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in an ancient tradition and local culture. Top Guides > Culture > Meyhanes Like Italy’s osterias , Spain’s bodegas and France’s bistros , North Cyprus eating and entertainment houses, known as Meyhanes , are a place to come together over meze and raki and is a tradition dating back thousands of years. They are the epitome of Northern Cyprus eating and drinking culture, and date to Byzantine time with a slow evolution. A type of drinking den in the Ottoman empire, the name comes from the Persian "mey " meaning ‘wine’ and "khāneh " meaning ‘house’. These joints used to be described as small dark spaces, often underground, with few or no windows, wooden stools and low tables by a bar, and casks filled with wine lining the walls. Under Ottoman rule, meyhanes were owned by non-Muslims, who were generally allowed to produce and sell their own wine outside of Muslim districts. Although rakı entered the meyhane scene in the 16th century, it played second fiddle to wine until the 19th century. The meyhane today is where people sit together around tables draped in red or white linen, eat a colossal amount of meze’s, meat or seafood, and sip raki. More than just a place to eat and drink, it's a place where conversation takes centre stage, where hearts are poured out as the rakı flows, and where quenching the thirst of the soul matters more than satisfying the hunger of the stomach. Meyhane culture differs to other counterparts in the Mediterranean. You won't find a menu, and a feast of local delicacies will be brought to the table one after the other, until you say stop . Starting with a spread of cold Meze’s, several plates of different types, no less than fifteen, are the start of the almost banquet serving. Specialities unique to Northern Cyprus include green olives known as Chakistes, pickled Quail eggs, Samarella which consists usually of goat’s meat that's salted and cured for preservation, and Tahin , a sesame paste made from toasted and ground sesame seeds mixed with garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, a staple of any Cypriot meze. If you're drinking rakı, you can ask for Beyaz Peynir (white ewe’s milk cheese matured in brine) to always be accompanied by slices of fresh melon. Warm meze’s follow , usually with grilled Hellim in pitta bread, Çiğer which is diced liver either grilled or fried, Magarina Bulli, tubular pasta cooked and served with chicken, sprinkled with grated Hellim and dried mint. A meat platter arrives soon after, from Köfte (meatballs) to Lamb and Chicken Şiş (skewered), Chops, to the infamous Seftali Kebab, a type of crépinette, with a lamb filling mixed with finely chopped onion and parsley, seasoned with salt and pepper. If you have room for dessert , you 'll be served mixed seasonal fruit, a type of Macun which is a traditional fruit preserve and inherent part of Cypriot culture, and most meyhanes will also offer a serving of the infamous Kırbaç, which literally translates as “the Whip” – a blend of Nor, a fresh mild whey cheese produced in Cyprus, and cream or milk, drizzled with local honey and topped with walnuts. Before leaving, you'll be offered a Kahve (Turkish coffee) to help digest the feast. You'll be amazed by the great value for money you receive in meyhanes and you probably won't be able to finish everything served to you. The more traditional concentrations are inland, in Nicosia or neighbouring Gönyeli, but you'll find more than one Meyhane in almost every town, and it's likely any local can direct you to one. Afiyet Olsun! Bon Appétit! Top Guides > Culture > Music North Cyprus is home to a really wide variety of music and musicians and you can find great venues to listen to music, get involved or dance to what you hear. The island has wonderful home-grown talent in classical music and rock and music classes and private tuition are available to learn new skills. Many restaurants, hotels and casinos have their own house bands, providing jazz, pop and Turkish music that pull in local crowds as well as guests. Classical music is one of North Cyprus’ most heavily promoted genres, with classical music festivals throughout the year where you can experience orchestras, chamber choirs, tenor singers, quartets and trios, often at historic venues. Smaller venues hold traditional music evenings during the summer months. Classical music also incorporates the tradition of ‘Fasıl ’ music which has its roots in the Ottoman era. This is a blend of instrumental and vocal music dating back to the 14th century. Jazz is popular and can often be heard in bigger 5 star hotels. Club or disco music is played in clubs all summer long , and you can often just follow the sound to find out where it’s coming from. DJs from all over the world come to North Cyprus to entertain packed audiences at the various beach clubs and continue well into the morning. Rock music has a healthy following and live rock music is in many pubs and bars. There's a number of good local musicians and bands around and they normally play at the live music venues. The bigger rock bands that visit from Türkiye will mostly get to play at the larger beach club venues. During big Public Holidays such as Şeker Bayram and Kurban Bayram, there’s an explosion of Turkish music with stars arriving en masse to entertain the many visiting Turkish mainlanders and the locals with their glitz and glamour and unique style of entertainment. Top Guides > Culture > Myths & Legends Pygmalion & Galatea The ancient city of Karpasia was a harbour town 4km west of today’s Dipkarpaz village. It was established during pagan times as a city-state before Christianity. Today, it’s possible to see the fortification walls and columns of the palace in the sea. It was the legendary King Pygmalion who founded this city, one of the oldest in Cyprus, which also gave its name to the Karpaz Peninsula. Pygmalion lived alone in his palace. Having an artistic character, he decorated his palace with his own carved marble sculptures. He wasn’t satisfied with the women around him and was waiting for his ideal woman – his Queen. One day, he began to carve a beautiful woman, sculpted from snow-white marble and day by day fell in love with it. He stroked its cheeks and hair and gave it pearls, seashells jewellery and flowers. Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, took pity on Pygmalion and wanted to end his sorrow. One day when the King returned to his palace and hugged the sculpture, he realised it had come to life, had colour in its cheeks and was looking at him lovingly. Pygmalion gave the fair skinned woman the name “Galatea” which means “as white as milk”. The King had found his Queen. He married her and they had a son named Paphos, who grew up to become a strong handsome man. Pygmalion called his son to him and said: “Dear Son, I have established my kingdom at thevery easternmost point of the island. Go to the west and found your own kingdom.” It’s believed that the city of Paphos or Baf, was founded by and named after Paphos, the son of King Pygmalion. Aphrodite & Adonis Kinyras, the King of Cyprus, had a daughter who was a legendary beauty called Smyrna. One day her father claimed his daughter was more beautiful than the goddess Aphrodite. When Aphrodite heard this, she took revenge by making the King and his daughter fall in love with each other. They both fell under the effect of the spell, and she became pregnant by her father. Ashamed and afraid, she sought refuge in a forest while the King looked everywhere for her with the intention of murdering her. Symrna begged to the gods and Zeus took pity on her, turning Smyrna into a myrtle tree to save her. After nine months, the princess, who was pregnant when she transformed into a tree, gave birth to her son Adonis by ripping apart the trunk of the tree. The goddess Aphrodite found this beautiful baby on the trunk of the tree and took care of the child, taking him to live with her. As he grew up, Adonis became very handsome leading to Aphrodite and the goddess of the underworld, Persephone, coming into conflict over him. Zeus and Olimpos ended the battle between these two goddesses by deciding that Adonis should live for 6 months of the year with Aphrodite and 6 months of the year with Persephone. As he prepared to meet Aphrodite, Adonis was engaging in his favourite activity, hunting, when he encountered a wild boar. A fight took place between them and Adonis was badly wounded. Bleeding and in pain he attempted to reach Aphrodite, but lost all his strength, collapsing to the ground and taking his final breath. As it turned out, the life of Adonis was very brief …. like a flower. Aphrodite couldn’t accept his death and cried for days. From that time, nature stepped in to make this love immortal. The red and white anemones, a flower with a very short life span, blossom in Cyprus, in the place where Adonis, died. The red anemones symbolise the blood spilling from the wounds of Adonis and the white ones the tears of Aphrodite and the yellow one represent this tragic end. The Olive Tree In the past, the wealth of people was measured by the number of olive trees they owned. Weddings were only scheduled after the harvest of the olives in Templo, today’s Zeytinlik village. The olive tree is a sacred tree which had economic, cultural and spiritual value. The sanctity of the olive tree is believed to be based on a legend about Jesus Christ. It was said that Jesus hid on top of an olive tree while he was trying to escape from his enemies and after the enemies went by, he said this prayer: “live 100 years more than the person who cultivated you, give plentiful fruit and oil and make your owners rich.” The olive tree asked “what will happen if they cut and burn me?”. He replied: “the smoke which comes from your wood and leaves will protect you from devilry and envy”. Today for the people of Cyprus, as for the Zeytinlik villagers, the olive leaf has a sacred meaning offering protection from evil. St Mamas St Mamas was a priest who was born in Cyprus and gave his name to the church in Guzelyurt. He was was living in a cave in the region when a mandate decreed everyone was to pay taxes. Mamas refused to pay saying that since he was living in a cave he didn’t enjoy any of the government’s facilities. He was arrested and on his journey to Lefkosa, a lion jumped into the road while chasing a lamb. As Mamas raised his hand, suddenly the lion paused. Mamas picked up the lamb, mounted the lion, and rode on its back until he reached the throne room of the Duke who proposed the tax rule. The Duke was so shocked that he agreed to waive Mamas payment. Five Finger Mountains A beautiful girl lived in a village in the mountains which form a backdrop of today’s Girne. Two young men loved this girl - one was good-hearted the other wasn’t. They decided to have a duel on the edge of a marsh in Merserya. The malevolent one wounded the good man by putting him in the marsh. The good-hearted youth gradually started to sink in the marshy area while he was trying to push himself up out of the mud. He raised his sword with a final effort, and as the sword slipped from his grasp, he was buried with five fingers open to the sky. In time the marshy area dried out and the good-hearted youth’s hand turned into mountains resembling his five fingers. The Nursing Rock on Top of The Fortifications of Gamimagusa There is a location on the fortifications of Gazimagusa where a white liquid flows like milk. The people of Gazimagusa think it has a specific and extraordinary power. Women who have just given birth, who have difficulty in breast feeding, come to this place to make a wish. It’s also visited by women who want to have children, who come to touch the rock. Petrified Lions of The Gate of The Harbour The sculptures on the right side of the sea gate of the Othello Castle belong to a lion and its cub. According to legend, the lion had tried to eat its cub and they were turned into stone. One of the sculptures is lost. According to another legend, the lion opens its mouth at an unknown time of an unknown day once a year and the person who puts their hand into the mouth of the lion will find an unbelievable treasure. The Legend of Canbalut Pasha The Venetians had placed a rotating wheel with knives around it, at the gate of the city to cut invading soldiers in half. Canbulat Bey was fed up of the siege as it was taking so long and rode his horse towards the wheel, was decapitated but replaced his head and continued to fight. After the conquest of the war, he lay down in peace and died a martyr. The Legend of St Barnabas St Barnabas was born Jewish in Salamis and met Jesus Christ during one of his journeys to Palestine. He came to Cyprus 46 years after the death of Jesus and was killed by local Jewish people when he attempted to spread Christianity. His corpse was hidden in a marshy area from which they planned to throw it into the sea but his supporters rescued his corpse and buried his corpse in a cave to the west of Salamis, putting a copy of the Bible, written by St Matthew, with him. The place of the grave wasn’t known and was kept secret. 432 years after his death, Bishop Anthemios saw the grave in his dream, identified its location and asked for it to be opened. When the grave was opened the Bible was found and the grave was easily identified as that of St Barnabas. In AD 477 the monastery was built on the site of that grave and today is one of the most important places for Greek Orthodox Cypriots. The Castle of St Hilarion St Hilarion castle was built in the 6th century AD and took its name from a hermit of the same name. According to legend, a group of young men visited the castle on what was known as “Wish Day”, the only day of the year when wishes were accepted and the one day in every 40 years when the door of the 101st room was opened. The young men, finding this door opened, swarmed into that room, saw it full of treasure and started to grab everything they saw. One tried to take the crown, sceptre and sword. In their greed they didn’t realise their time was up and the doors slammed shut. They slept for 40 years in the room and when the day came, the doors opened again and they returned back to their villages. They’d stayed the same age but their children had grown old and many of their peers were dead already. The Legend of Apostolos Andreas The Monastery of Apostolos Andreas is a sacred place for both Turkish and Greek people. Its’ sanctity comes from the water which flows through the rocks where a monastery and church were built, believed to be a place visited by St Andreas. (St Andrew). The legend of Apostolos Andreas is that the romans had learned about his attempts to spread Christianity round the Mediterranean and Black Sea and decided to send him to Rome. En route, the captain of the ship transporting him was worried because they were out of water. Apostolos Andreas said “I can find water for you” and asked for permission to land. When he stepped ashore they discovered the spring flowing through the rocks. The Captain set him free and the Andreas decided to settle there. Following the spread of Christianity the news of the miracle of Andreas spread. People began to believe the healing power of the water and the monastery became a shrine. According to Muslims, this sacred water is “the miracle of Hz. Suleyman”. They believe anyone who drinks the water will be healed; a blind person will see; and a paralysed person will walk. Those who drink from the sacred water, take away bottles of water for those who can’t visit. Turkish people make wishes by lighting a candle at Christmas. The Christians also shape their candles according to their wishes and bring bottles of olive oil. The Queen of Yuzbirevler During the Lusignan Dynasty, the name of the castle of St Hilarion was changed to “Dieu D’Amour” - “Castle of the Goddess of Love”. The castle was also known as the “Castle of Regina” – “Castle of the Queen”. The Queen was famous not only for her beauty but also her evil nature. According to legend, the queen was sitting on top of a high rock controlling the building works during the construction of the castle. She didn’t give permission for the builders to rest as they carried sand, water, and pebbles from the sea to the mountain. Finally the construction was completed and the queen moved into the palace. Having no further use for the builders, she called them to the palace and threw them out of the window. She also threw soldiers from the window when they'd finished their guard duties. It was said she didn’t want anyone alive who took a role during the construction of the palace. Today, the Gothic style decorated window, facing to the northwest is known as the “Queen’s Window”. The Castle of Buffavento Buffavento is an Italian name meaning “disobeying the wind” and also has a story relating to a Queen. According to legend, a Byzantine princess got leprosy and retired to the castle to isolate herself. The princess had a dog who also had leprosy. The dog would leave the castle every day and disappear behind the southern peak returning to the castle some time later. The princess noticed one day that the dog was healthy again, so she followed it the next day and saw it bathe in a natural spring. She bathed in it as well and was cured. She had the Church of St John Chrysostomos built over the place where she discovered the healing spring. The Legend of Fire Rock A villager always complained about God and blamed him for any negative thing, including the bad harvest. Shepherds meeting around the rock of fire, after releasing their animals into the Five FInger Mountains, heard him complaining and said to the farmer that he should go back to the rock of fire and make his complaints directly to God there. The farmer climbed to the top of the mountain, raised his hands and started shouting at God like a mad man. He was hit by lighting and turned to stone. If you visit the rock of fire which shines very brightly during sunset, you’ll see that it does look like a human silhouette. The Legend of the Phoenix A big stone in the Ciklos region looks like a huge half-divided egg which is known as the Soil Stone or Egg Stone. According to legend, the Ciklos region is the nest of the phoenix and after the death of his mate, he protected his last egg. He sat on the egg day after day during incubation, but eventually left the egg to get food because he was hungry. The egg hatched, crows ate the newly hatched phoenix and the race became extinct. It's said that crows circle on top of the rock because they haven’t forgotten the taste of the phoenix. The Legend of Hz. Omer’s Tomb One day a shepherd, known as Mad Hasan of Catalkoy, spotted a pirate ship at sea and began to pray. Suddenly, seven Arabic cavaliers appeared, rode across the surface of the sea to reach the ship with sparks coming out of their horseshoes, sank it, then quickly disappeared, thus protecting Catalkoy from attack. No one believed Mad Hasan until they saw the marks left by the horseshoes on the rocks and understood they were cavaliers of Hz. Omer. As a result of this legend which is based on the horseshoe prints on the rocks, the Ottomans have constructed seven graves and a shrine which have a symbolic meaning. Since then, this place has become a sacred place for the Muslims who live in Cyprus and they visit this shrine especially during religious festivals when they pray and make offerings. Top Guides > Culture > Radio Stations Top Guides > Culture > Stamps Turkish Cypriot stamps are highly sought after by philatelists around the world due to their designs, limited series print, thematic subjects and historical past. Pre-Philatelic Periods The first letter known in Cyprus was a commercial letter written in Italian, dated 17th June 1353, and sent from Famagusta to Istanbul. The date corresponds to Lusignan rule although it was the Venetians who set up postal organisation on the island. In those days written letters were folded like an envelope and stamped with a wax seal. In addition, captains of the vessels transporting letters were placing their own signs and signatures on the letters they were carrying. Philatelic Period Austrian Postal Services Austrian Lloyd was a maritime company set up as a postal agency in 1837. Initially stamps weren’t used on letters which were sealed. In following years, stamp and seal were used together. Ottoman Postal Services Ottomans set up a post office in Lefkosa in 1871 but it was closed when the British took over in 1878. British Postal Services The British set up a post office in Larnaca on 27rh July 1878. British stamps were used for about 2 years as there weren’t any Cypriot stamps. Later the word CYPRUS was overprinted on British stamps and this continued for a year. The first series of Cypriot stamps were printed on 1st July 1881. The last series of stamps printed by the British for Cyprus were put on sale on 1st August 1955 and were used until 15th August 1960 when the Republic of Cyprus was established. Republic of Cyprus On 16th August 1960 a Republic based on partnership by Turks and Greeks was established in Cyprus. When Turks opposed unification with Greece, armed clashes resulted and Turks were dismissed from the organs of the Republic. Greek Cypriots started applying postal service embargoes on Turks, thus preventing freedom of communication. Turkish Cypriot Postal Services Turkish Cypriot postal services were established on 6th January 1964, a short while after armed clashes between the two Cypriot communities. The first Turkish Cypriot stamp was printed on 8th April 1970, named “Social Aid ”, was used as both a revenue and postage stamp and bore the name “Assembly of the Turkish Community ”. The Turkish Red Cross Association helped Turkish Cypriots in their communication with foreign countries especially with Turkey. Letters collected in Nicosia Post Office were handed over to the Red Crescent, then transferred to Ankara where they were stamped and distributed to Turkish addresses. There was an agreement to normalise postal services in 1966. Greek Cypriots permitted Turkish Cypriots to have one post office in the towns of Nicosia, Famagusta and Lefka and agents in Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos with the condition that only the name “The Republic of Cyprus ” be used and this was the case until 1970. Letters sent between Turkish quarters of the island carried the Social Aid stamps and letters sent overseas carried stamps of The Republic of Cyprus. After 1974 these arrangements were abandoned. Turkish Cypriot Stamps issued on 29th October 1973 commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. They were issued with the name of “Turkish Cypriot Administration ” and is the first series accepted as the real Turkish Cypriot postage stamp. After the 1974 intervention by Turkey, the first post office branch was opened in Kyrenia and started to communicate with foreign countries by post. Stamps, beside their usage for postal services, are also used to present a country to the world. Turkish stamps have as themes, natural beauty, flora and fauna, famous people, important events and anniversaries. They’ve been printed annually since 1975. Special Edition Stamps The postal service often releases Special Edition Stamps such as in the spring, or before particular bayram holidays etc. The Postal Department also has a Philatelist Section which collectors can contact to receive limited editions and special first day covers. Private purchases can also be made. Top Guides > Culture > The Noble Peasant Why is the desire to build monuments so strong and lasting? What is it that sparks the desire or need to build monuments? For thousands of years, humans have had the desire to be remembered. This is done as a reminder of the life and accomplishments of an individual, society, or nation. The desire to leave art and artefacts for posterity is a natural human response. To allow the lessons and experiences of one’s own life to mean something to future generations is an innate human desire. Building monuments creates an everlasting object symbolising the life and accomplishments of an individual or a society, bringing meaning and understanding to future generations. The imposing and majestic proportions of a monumental sculpture give a sense of strength and evoke admiration and wonder. Great outdoor monumental sculptures create a lasting visual appeal, are prestigious, and often attract large numbers of tourists. The powerful effects of a monumental statue, in one particular case, has had important consequences. A visit to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro elicited a powerful reaction in Erbil Arkin, founder of ARUCAD University of Creative Arts and Design . i.e., a large community of vegetation and wildlife adapted to a specific climate - that will showcase different aspects of Cyprus’s natural habitat. The current area is well stocked with young pine trees and maquis shrub. Of the trees that will be introduced to the area, many will be saplings sourced from the Forestry Department that will allow the hillside to grow and develop organically over time.In part, it was the way that Corcovado Mountain dominated the city of Rio, much in the way the Five Finger Mountain Range does to Kyrenia. For Mr. Arkin, however, the idea that was germinating was for a statue in Cyprus that all Cypriots would identify with as being inherent to their culture and traditions. His desire was for a monument to The Noble Peasant that would celebrate and exalt the inner nobility of ordinary folk. In a country that has witnessed divisions and conflict in its past, a unifying factor was that almost all Cypriots were, only a few generations ago, sons and daughters of the soil - farmers, animal husbanders, peasants. The Noble Peasant, 40 metres in height and standing sentinel over the coastline, has the potential to bring world renown to North Cyprus as a symbol of pride in the capabilities and resourcefulness of its people . As a work of engineering and artistic excellence, it will long outlast our lifetimes and will be a gift to future generations. It is currently under construction and can be seen slowly emerging on the hillside that overlooks Girne. It will surely be the most iconic building in Northern Cyprus when finished. The Park The Noble Peasant Park covers a large area of over 23 hectares and has been conceived and designed in conjunction with the Noble Peasant Statue Project. The park is situated on a prominent hill to the south of the coastal town of Kyrenia and is surrounded by the spectacular backdrop of the Five Finger Mountains. While the immediate plaza area around the statue is envisaged as having slightly formal, tended gardens, much in the way of the urban parks of Europe, the much larger, wider hill area is intended to be designed to be a semi-“wilded” environment and laid out in biomes - i.e., a large community of vegetation and wildlife adapted to a specific climate - that will showcase different aspects of Cyprus’s natural habitat. The current area is well stocked with young pine trees and maquis shrub. Of the trees that will be introduced to the area, many will be saplings sourced from the Forestry Department that will allow the hillside to grow and develop organically over time. Top Guides > Culture > Theatre Turkish Cypriot theatre and shadow puppetry have been very popular in North Cyprus for centuries as they were the only sources of entertainment for people prior to TV. Even when cinemas opened in towns and cities, it was still difficult for village folk to reach urban centers, so shadow plays continued to play a prominent role in cultural life. Theatre has served as entertainment and an instructive medium and adopted an identity of their own both in subject matter and style. In particular, the Shadow Game (Karagöz) has long been a popular play in North Cyprus and has become an institution for Turkish Cypriots. Local theatre evolved from traditional Turkish theatre then adopted Western theatre styles and techniques at the beginning of the 20th Century. Founded in 1963, the first Turkish Cypriot theatre was called ‘First Stage ’ and later became known as the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre in 1966. It has staged various plays both in TRNC and abroad. Today, local and foreign theatre groups also operate alongside the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre. Many local and foreign theatre groups add variety and liveliness to the cultural life of North Cyprus during theatre festivals. There is the International Cyprus Theatre Festival for example, often held at one of the large university complexes, but which also stages one off shows in town squares or castles, offering up to a month’s worth of stage plays, puppet and dance theatre. Theatre companies from Türkiye, such as the famous Büyükşehir Belediyesi Şehir Tiyatrosu from Istanbul, come to perform as well as groups from Ankara, Russia and local Turkish Cypriot theatre companies. There are several theatre companies based in North Cyprus, one of the main being Sidetreets in Lefkoşa. Popular private companies include Lefkoşa Belediye Tiyatrosu and Maras Emek Theatre , as well as a comedy theatre group called Kıbrıs Türk Komedi Tiyatrosu which is based in Famagusta. Some shows are silent, so there's no problem with language barriers, but even if the mother tongue isn't Turkish, lots of people attend plays just to see the exceptional standards of acting, and some of the stories are so old and well known it doesn’t take a genius to work out the storylines. Lefkoşa, Kyrenia and Famagusta are all host to an array of theatre activities. For foreign residents KADS, (Kyrenia Amateur Dramatics Society ), puts on productions of well known English plays during the year at various locations in Kyrenia, and has even broadcast their productions on radio. Top Guides > Culture > Traditional Handicrafts The handicrafts of each country represent the heritage and culture of that country, and Northern Cyprus is no different. Many traditional handicrafts are still made today and carry on the legacy of years of knowledge, culture and expertise. For example: Embroidered Lace Undoubtedly the most famous handicraft of Northern Cyprus is the embroidery lace, known as the Lefkaritika net . The art dates back to the 15th century and was inspired by the Venetians Local women got ideas from the delicate embroidery on Venetian clothes and put them on their own net. Traditionally, a Cypriot girl had to have an extended collection of Lefkara Lace ready for exhibition on her wedding day, and in this way, skills have passed from mother to daughter. For centuries, women from villages and small towns have sat side by side, embroidering on linen fabrics. Cyprus Lefkara Lace is made of linen with thread, and varies in shapes and cutting techniques used to decorate the final hand craft. It's quite distinctive and notable characteristics are the hemstitch, satin stitch fillings, and needlepoint edgings. These form linens such as tablecloths and napkins which are only made in white, brown and ecru colours. The other distinctive feature of fine lace in Northern Cyprus is that there's no difference between the front and back of any piece. Only lace made in this traditional way is considered to be authentic. The design for Lefkara Lace is first drawn onto paper, and then a transparent second sheet placed over this to protect the lace. Needles are placed along the design outline, and a thread tied to the front-most needle. The thread is then run around the outside of all the needles and tied to the last needle. Once three layers of such threads have been built up, they are stitched together like a buttonhole. Gradually, the lace starts to form, rising out from the paper base. The result is an incredibly delicate, intricate and true labour of love. The skilled art is recognised on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List , defined as ‘practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills’ from around the world that are protected for their invaluable cultural heritage. The linens became an important trade under Venetian rule, so famous that even Leonardo da Vinci personally visited Cyprus to find embroidery for decorating the altar of the Duomo Cathedral in Milan . When visiting small villages, you may come across ladies sitting on their front porch busily hand-embroidering, working the lace as they have done for centuries. Lace work of Lefkara is a hot buy for visitors perhaps even as a gift to pass down through generations in truly Cypriot fashion. Available in souvenir or handicraft shops, the most renowned are at the Buyuk Han in Lefkosa. Wicker Weaving You can't ignore the wicker baskets! The bright and cheerful designs of these mat weavers in shops and restaurant walls all over the country, attract your attention. Mat weaving in Northern Cyprus is a unique art, as each weaver has his or her own weaving pattern. Plant knitting is where tree trunks, leaves, and twigs are used in mat weaving, by cutting them into thin strips to make baskets, bread trays, brooms, or jewelry boxes. Straw Chairs In many handicraft shops in North Cyprus you'll find chairs made of straw. Each of these miniature chairs has a very complex texture, being very light, yet durable, and are still very popular among Turkish Cypriot families. Top

TRNC General Information - Borders, Business, Children, Climate, Education, Embassies, Ferries, Free Trade, Duty Free, Govt Departments, History, Internet & TV, MICE, New Year, Overview, Phones, Police, Post, Practical Inofrmation, Religion, Relocating, Residency, Retiring, Rough Guide, Transport, Visas, Weddings, Wills Useful Information Banking Car Hire Dentists Embassies Duty Free Insurance Overview Post Relocating Supermarkets Weddings Borders Cleaning Doctors Emergencies Govt Departments Internet/TV Pharmacy Practical Information Residency Transport Wills Bus Service Climate Driving Ferries History Local Tradesmen Phones Refuse Collection Retiring Utilities Business Currency & Exchange Education Food & Drink Hospitals M.I.C.E. Police Religion Rough Guide Visas Useful Information > Banking With high savings rates for accounts in sterling, a personal bank account in TRNC may be attractive. If you have a home here, you may want a current account and a bank card to make transactions or pay for bills. What are the requirements for opening a bank account in TRNC? Do you need to have a home there? Can you apply with a UK or other overseas address? What proof of address is required? What forms of identification are acceptable? The answers vary depending on each bank's policies. TRNC banks must adhere to "Know Your Customer” (KYC) regulations. These require banks to carry out checks on your identity and address. Foreign nationals can apply with a valid passport or ID from their own country. A utility bill, tax letter or other official document may be accepted as proof of address for applicants from outside the TRNC. A driving licence is not accepted as a valid proof of identity. In practice some banks may insist on a TRNC certificate of residence (ikametgah belgesi) to open a bank account, which can be obtained from the local “muhtar”, while others accept addresses in the UK and other countries. Applications must be submitted and signed in person at a bank branch. All TRNC banks use a correspondent bank in Turkey. Top Useful Information > Border Crossings There are nine crossing points between North and South Cyprus but if you intend to use a particular crossing, you'd be wise to check it's open before making your journey, just to make sure. West to east, these are the names of the Cyprus border crossings: Yesilirmak (Limnitis/Kato Pyrgos) near Guzelyurt (Morpho) Lefke (Lefka) Bostanci/Guzelyurt (Astromeritis) Metehan (Agios Dometios) Ledra Palace - Official cars only Ledra Stree t - Pedestrains Beyarmudu (Dhekelia) – SBA crossing Akyar (Strovilia/Agios Nikolaos) - SBA crossing Dherynia (Famagusta/Gazimagusa) Border crossings are quite well signed in the north if you want to go south, but not so well in the south if you want to go north. Names above are Turkish names, those in brackets Greek. These two names aren't necessarily the same place, but the names of the nearest village or town on each side of the border, as there's often a short drive between the two. Crossing points are mainly designed for cars, but there is one pedestrian-only crossing point in the capital Lefkosa known as Ledra Street. It's possible to walk through some crossing points if you're being collected by a car or taxi on the other side (for example Metehan ) but note some crossing points are rural with limited facilities on either side and some crossing points have a long distance between them so walking isn't allowed (for example, Yesilirmak ). All crossing points are open 24/7 but if you need to buy car insurance, you should use Metehan which offers 24-hour car insurance service. The other border crossings tend to offer car insurance services only in-office hours. You'll need your passport as well as the car documents, insurance and driving licence if you're taking a car across. The most used crossing is Metehan which is about 20-minutes drive from Kyrenia. The Sovereign Base Area (SBA) British Army crossing point of Beyarmudu is actually nearer to Larnaca Airport but the journey to Kyrenia is longer, so it tends to be used for those visiting East Coast locations of Iskele or Famagusta . If you fly via Paphos , you'd be better to use Metehan as well. Lefke and Yesilirmak may look closer, but they're mainly used by locals, involve mountainous roads and are not really suitable for first-time visitors or new tourists, particularly at night. You can use sat nav or google maps or Waze to find the Cyprus border crossings but once through reset your device to your final destination. If you're a first time visitor to North Cyprus and arriving at night in the South , take a taxi over the border and hire a car in the north. This gives you fully comp insurance plus breakdown cover and stops you getting lost in the dark. You might also want to book that pickup in advance with a North Cyprus company rather than an airport taxi as many Greek Cypriot taxi drivers won't know the way on the north side. Top Useful Information > Car Hire Car Hire - Why not enjoy the island in your own time… Hiring a car is undoubtedly the best way to see all that Northern Cyprus has to offer. It allows you to set your own timetable and go exactly where you want and when you want. Travel the scenic coastal routes from the farthest point west, all the way to the tip of the Karpaz Peninsula in the east. A journey that isn’t possible on public transport. Drive the mountain routes, take in the spectacular scenery or have a picnic under scented pines. See all the ancient sites and ramble through crusader castles with no rush to move on! Driving in Northern Cyprus is much like driving in the UK; the same side of the road, signs that are for the most part international and well-placed speed limit notices and direction signs. Pre-book in high season as demand, especially for vehicles with air-conditioning, is high. North Cyprus car hire specifications and regulations: Rght-hand drive unless a left-hand drive car is specifically requested Manual and automatic available, state preference Cars may be calibrated in MPH or KPH Speed limits on all roads are posted in KPH Full current driving licence is required Hirers must be over 21 years of age Terms and Conditions of renting a car in Northern Cyprus: Prices do not normally include collision damage waiver (CDW) Additional drivers are not normally included Minimum booking is usually 3 days for pickup and drop off at apartments Minimum booking is usually 7 days for pickup and drop off at the Car hire is billed in 24 hour periods If you arrive at night, book your car from 10 am the following morning Cars are generally picked up and dropped off at around 10 am Top Useful Information > Opening a Business Foreign Direct Investment has helped develop the TRNC economy, especially in tourism, construction and services. That's why the government welcomes foreigners opening businesses and provides them with full rights to the company in many sectors with or without local partners. Businesses may be a small shop, spa salon, restaurant, investment company or a five star hotel. Many companies are foreign owned and ran for years. To open a business at least two people will be needed. They can be foreigners or partner with Turkish Cypriots. If the business is real estate or construction related, the foreigner must hold 49% shares and the local representative 51% . To set up your business you'll need to deposit US$100,000 . into a local bank if you don't have local partners, and US$49,000 if you do. Seeking advice of a solicitor is wise as there's different rules for different types of companies. You'll also need a local accountant to make appropriate applications to the Council of Ministers. Memorandums and Articles will specify the company’s function, management structure and share information. You'll also need a business permit (a stamp in your passport), which is specifically issued to Company Directors, which is different to work or residency permits. Other permits might also be needed e.g. if you're serving alcohol, a beverage license from the local council. You'll need to register with the tax office , the social security and pensions departments . There will be costs involved for any workers you employ, paying for their permits and their monthly state contributions. As a Director you'll also need to make state contributions. Tax Certificates and Certificate of Incorporation have to be displayed in your premises at all times and must be kept in their original forms. Top Useful Information > Bus Service A really fun and inexpensive way to travel. Simply walk to the main road at the top of Turquoise Bay and flag the local bus (Dolmus) down. Wherever you want to get off just ring the bell. Fare into Girne is around 50tl (< £1.50) and j ourney time to/from Turquoise Bay to Girne is around 30 minutes depending on traffic. The timetable to the right show the times the bus leves from Esentepe and returns from Girne. Top Useful Information > Climate Climate inTRNC is “intense Mediterranean ” meaning short mild, temperate winters and long hot summers. Temperatures and rainfall vary depending on elevation. It's obviously cooler at the top of St Hilarion or Buffavento Castle than it is in Kyrenia harbour. Summer can begin as early as March, though officially it doesn’t start until June. By then, temperatures are in the 30s (around 86°F) . June to September there's no rain, days are long and hot, evenings are balmy and relaxing, though nights can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable and you'll love your air-con unit. In October the weather begins to change but you can still sunbathe. Rains usually fall in the first two weeks of October bringing plants and trees a much needed drink. After the long hot summer, drains are full of dust and leaves and this makes for an interesting driving experience after the first few days of rains. It doesn’t rain that much in Northern Cyprus but the rains bring greenery which soon bursts into colourful bloom. Springtime in Cyprus is an incredible sight . If you only ever visit in summer you’ll find it hard to believe that the sometimes desert-like interior landscape greens over and then gives birth to thousands of beautiful flowers, but it does. Officially the seasons in North Cyprus are Autumn in October ; Winter from November to March ; Spring in April and May ; and Summer from June to September . Average daily temperatures in July and August start in the mid 30s, whereas April, May, June, September and October start in the mid 20’s. This means an average 300 days of sunshine a year. December and January are the worst months for weather in Northern Cyprus, night time temperatures can be very cold, occasionally dropping below freezing in the mountains. Rainfall when it comes, can be very heavy and stormy, and if you’re lucky enough to have a sea view, you can watch incredible lightning shows out at sea. March and April are two of the most popular months to visit the island, with warm days but not the sometimes oppressive heat of high summer. There's plenty of flowers to look at and beaches and harbour side cafes are quieter. December and January do get some warm days and some beautiful blue skies, but you also get overcast and even cold days. If you want a heady mix of long hot days for beach flopping and long warm nights for partying then visit from May to September and you’ll be assured perfect sunny weather and plenty of fun-packed days and nights. Top Useful Information > Cleaning Want your apartment sprucing up or spring cleaned before you arrive? Or someone to come in and "do" for you every week? Cotact Shareen on +90 539 104 7435 Contact Kibris Klean Team on +90 542 868 0269 Top Useful Information > Currency & Exchange Local currency in North Cyprus is the Turkish Lira . Many outlets will also accept British Pounds, Euros or US Dollars for payment. Ask your outlet about other currencies they may accept. Live Turkish Lira Exchange Rates Top Useful Information > Education Kindergarten Children below age 6 , can attend kindergartens of public and private institutions. Kindergarten is not mandatory. Elementary school Provides 5 years of education for children between the ages of 6 and 11. All are public and free. High sch ool High schools provide a minimum 6 years of education, where 3 years are for junior high school (Ortaokul). There are different kinds of high schools such as standard public high schools, private high schools, science high schools, vocational high schools, technical high schools and fine arts high schools. Universities You might be surprised to learn that Northern Cyprus has numerous international Universities offering world-class education, in English, to nearly 100,000 students from over 100 countries . TRNC has a welcoming visa policy and multi-cultural atmosphere which encourages students to easily utilise degree courses . and the Government has education at the top of its agenda, leading to a boom in student numbers. For example, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) student numbers have grown by almost 400% in recent years. Education is contributing close to $1 billion to the government’s budget - well over 50% of its total. Private investors include Suat Gunsel , a Forbes list billionaire, who invested into his own Near East University in Lefkosa. NEU boasts a state-of-the-art teaching hospital drawing patients from South Cyprus and internationally; a journalism department broadcasting 24-hour programs from its own tv and radio studios; and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The boom in student numbers creates demand for accommodation, attracting investors to buy rental properties close to Universities. Many families are buying properties for their student children to use with the added benefit of it being a perfect base for family holidays during university vacation times. Students at TRNC Universities are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week to help pay fees if required, and full medical insurance is included in all fees. There's also a prep year available to learn English if a student needs to improve that before starting their course. Crucial to the success of the universities is the fact that diplomas and degrees are accepted by most universities around the world. Students who've moved on to other countries confirm they encountered few problems in the transition. Top Useful Information > Driving Driving in North Cyprus is similar to driving in the UK in as much as speed limits are approximately the same on conversion and the use of speed cameras is countrywide. Speeding fines are heavy. Drunken driving is not tolerated and anyone failing a breath test may well spend the night in the local police station. Seat belts are compulsory for drivers and front-seat passengers. Be aware that in TRNC, for whatever reason, people often drive fast and love to overtake so accidents are a common occurence. The sheer scale of accidents has led the police to cracking down on motorists so watch out for speed cameras as well as police officers with speed guns positioned at locations where speeding is common. Speed Limits (unless singnposted otherwise): 50km per hour: Built-up areas 65km per hour: Main roads and on the approach to junctions 75km per hour: Dual Carriageways Top Useful Information > Embassies Several nations have embassies , high commissions or foreign missions in Northern Cyprus and they can help with passport renewals, birth certificates , and legal advice among others. Local Turkish Cypriots wishing to travel to the countries which are represented on the island are required to visit that nation’s offices to obtain visas for their journey. You'd be surpried how much information and advice these offices can give you. Below are the main offices available in North Cyprus, which are mostly located near to the Ledra checkpoint area in Lefkoşa. Some of them only operate on certain days of the week so you might want to call ahead and make an appointment. Australia ‘Australia Place’ – Australian Information Bureau 20 Güner Türkmen Street, Köşklüçiftlik, Lefkoşa, North Cyprus Telephone: +90 (0)392 2277332 Fax: +90 (0)392 2285458 Website: www.cyprus.embassy.gov.au France French Cultural Information Centre (Association Culturelle Française Chypriote-Turc) 1, Hasene Ilgaz Street, Köşklüçiftlik, Lefkoşa, North Cyprus Tel: +90 (0)392 2283328 Website: www.france.visahq.com UK British High Commission (North Nicosia Office) Shakespeare Avenue 29, Mehmet Akif Caddesi, Köşklüçiftlik, Lefkoşa, North Cyprus Telephone: +90 (0)392 2283861 Website: www.ukincyprus.fco.gov.uk USA American Embassy (North Nicosia Office) 20, Güner Türkmen Street, Köşklüçiftlik, Lefkoşa, North Cyprus Telephone: +90 (0)392 2272443 Website: cyprus.usembassy.gov Germany German Embassy (North Nicosia Information Office) No:15, 28 Kasım Street, Lefkoşa, North Cyprus Telephone: +90 (0)392 2275161 Website: www.nikosia.diplo.de Türkiye Turkish Embassy Bedrettin Demirel Avenue, Lefkoşa, North Cyprus Telephone: +90 (0)392 2272314 Fax: +90 (0)392 2282209 & +90 (0)392 2285518 Website: www.tclefkosabe.org Other Countries TRNC has ‘representative offices ’ and consulates in many other countries around the world. These are sometimes useful, for example, if you need official papers such as a power of attorney notarised at their offices, to save you travelling to TRNC. Google your particular nation to see if there's a representative office in that country. Top Useful Information > Ferries Akgünler İşletmeleri A.Ş. Ltd . has been serving the TRNC tourism industry since 1978 and continues to expand. The company has 1 catamaran and 2 roro / passenger ships in its fleet with the largest passenger and freight capacity in the TRNC. The Company and ships conform to the International Safety Management Certificate (ISMC), the International Ship and Security Certificate (ISPSC), are constantly audited by Lloyds registered entities and operate in accordance with all international maritime rules. Via Mare Via Mare is a German-made RoRo / Passenger-type ship that is 118m long, 21m wide. She has a capacity of carrying 470 passengers, 46 trucks, or 260 saloon vehicles. Her max speed is 15 knots per hour. She also has 15 cabins with two beds and four beds, with private bathrooms and toilets. Via Mare makes regular trips between Taşucu a an d Girne ports on 3 days a week for 12 months. Via Famagusta Via Famagusta is a Swedish-made RoRo / Passenger-type ship. She is 110m long, 16m wide and can carry 113 passengers, 41 trucks, or 220 saloon vehicles. Her max speed is 12 knots per hour. She has regular trips between Mersin and Famagusta ports, 3 days a week for 12 months. Famagusta is the famous historical port of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Akgünler 3 Akgünler III is a Norwegian-made catamaran-type fast sea bus that is 38 meters long, 9 meters wide. She can carry 384 passengers at a speed of 32 knots per hour. This fast ferry makes regular trips between the ports of Taşucu and Girne during May and October. The journey takes only 2 hours. Akgünler III is the only fastest option for your day trips between TRNC and TC. Ferry Schedule (Tasucu - Girne - Tasucu) Ferry Schedule (Mersin - Mağusa - Mersin) FAQ Can I travel with my Turkish ID? Yes, unless they are taking a car in which case they MUST carry a passport as well. What do I need to prepare when I travel from TRNC to Türkiye with my car? A vehicle exit permit from the Tax Office (Motor Vehicles). An exit permit from the bank if the vehicle is mortgaged. G-104 form if you’ve come via South Cyprus. What do I need to prepare before I travel from Türkiye to TRNC with my car? A vehicle can only be taken out of Türkiye by the registered owner. A power of attorney (POA) can be given to a third party. Anyone travelling with a car requires a passport. If the POA isn't a sibling or parent of the car owner, the vehicle must be <3 years old. POA is not accepted for any vehicle >5 years old. If the vehicle is owned by a company, all company partners are required to issue a POA. If there are loan payments for the vehicle you require a letter from the bank with the content "The vehicle can leave Türkiye". Vehicle owners must obtain at least 1 month vehicle insurance upon arrival at Northern Cyprus. Northern Cyprus students must have the student certificate from the school, valid for 1 year from date of receipt. Northern Cyprus students must obtain at least 3 months vehicle isurance upon arrival at Northern Cyprus. Form "G - 104" will be given to drivers by Northern Cyprus customs upon entry and is required when leaving Northern Cyprus.. Traffic is on the left. Local or international driving licenses can be used. Is driver free when I book a vehicle? Yes. The driver only pays the departure/arrival taxes. I am a Turkish army personnel. Must I pay the departure / entrance tax? If you have document "Husut Çıkış Belgesi", choose that option while buying your ticket online. Can I change the trip date of my ticket? Yes, but subject to any price difference. I'm not going to use my ticket and want to cancel it. Cancellation more than 24 hours before departure - full refund. Cancellation from 24 hours before departure to 6 hours before departure - 75% refund. Cancellation within 6 hours cannot be changed or converted to an open ticket unless there's a valid personal reason. The ticket can only be cancelled with a 50% penalty. All unused/unchanged tickets - no refund will be made. Open tickets are valid for 1 year from date of issuance. What discounts are there? There are discounts for students, soldiers, diplomats. I bought my tickets for vehicle and passengers. Is there anything else I need to pay in and out of ports? Entrance and exit taxes for passengers and vehicles are included in the price. You'll have to pay for vehicle insurance upon arrival. Can passengers under the age of 18 travel alone? If travelling with an ID Card: Passengers under 18 cannot go abroad without a "notarized or official consent" received from the notary public of the parent/legal guardian who will NOT travel with them. If the minor will travel with only the mother, a notarized or official consent of the father will be required. If the minor will travel only with the father, a notarized or official consent of the mother will be required. If the minor will travel with someone other than the parents or alone, the consent of both parents is required. If the child's custody is in a legal representative, a notarized or official consent is required indicating the consent of the legal representative. If travelling with a passport: Permission and notarized or official consent of parents IS NOT required. Which ports do you operate from? Türkiye: Taşucu Port and Mersin Port TRNC : Kyrenia Port and Famagusta Port Which port do the ships dock at in Taşucu? All sea traffic from Taşucu is from SEKA port.P Passengers with tickets are required to go to the Akgunler office in Taşucu city center first, 2.5 hours before the departure time. After completing their boarding procedures there is a complimentary shuttle bus to Seka Port. Do you have shuttle buses from Kyrenia and Famagusta? No. You have to use taxis or local transportation. Useful numbers Taşucu Port Police 0324 741 4195 Taşucu Port Customs 0324 741 4039 Kyrenia Port Police 0392 815 1799 Kyrenia Port Customs 0392 815 4984 Mersin Port Police 0324 231 5910 Mersin Port Customs 0324 241 2800 Can I travel with my pet? Entering North Cyprus: you can bring your pet (only cat, dog and bird) with you. Entering Türkiye: You can bring 2 pets (only cats or dogs) and 10 fish. You’ll need a veterinary health report, certificate of origin and vaccines and identity document. How many suitcases can I take with me for free? Is there a weight limit? 3 suitcases or parcels with you on Roro Ships (Via Mare and Via Famagusta). On the Catamaran fast ferry(Akgunler 3) - 2 suitcases and 1 handbag/backpack. There is no weight limit. Can Turkish citizens take their TRNC plated vehicles Türkiye? Yes, temporarily, providing proof of residence is supplied. What can I take with me as "duty free" when entering Türkiye? Tobacco Cigarettes 600 pieces Cigarillos (cigars weighing no more than 3 g each) 100 pieces Cigars 50 pieces Chopped tobacco (with 200 sheets of cigarette paper) 250 gr. Alcohol Alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol degree exceeding 22% 1 lt. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol degree not exceeding 22% 2 lt. Cosmetics 5 skin care products and make-up materials, cologne, perfume, lavender, essence or lotion, not exceeding 600 ml Food products Tea 1 kg. Soluble instant coffee 1 kg. Coffee 1 kg. Chocolate 1 kg. Candy etc 1 kg. Top Useful Information > Free Trade & Duty Free North Cyprus Duty Free Allowances You're allowed to bring in the following items free of any customs and duty for personal use only: Tobacco products - 400 cigarettes or 500 grams of smoking tobacco Alcohol - 150cc of either spirits, wine or beer Perfumes - 100cl of perfumes and lotions Non commercial goods - 75 EURO free, above may be charged Controlled items The following are controlled items & cannot be exported, nor imported Controlled Drugs - Opium, heroin,morphine, cocain, cannabis etc Firearms & Munitions - Including fireworks Antiquities - Including statues Obscene Publications Counterfeit Money Archaeological Goods Animals & Birds Don't attempt to export antiquities or archaeological goods from Northern Cyprus. There are heavy fines and the threat of jail for removing such items. Establishing a Free Zone Company TRNC has become an investment hotspot with Free Zone companies (FZC) the preferred form of incorporation by both domestic and foreign investors. A FZC in TRNC offers proximity and ease of access to Türkiye, Europe and the Middle East and is particularly appealing due to tax advantages it offers. The Free Trade Zone in TRNC is located at the port of Famagusta. Long established as the center of transit trade, import-export, warehousing and production, today companies providing remote services such as IT, tourism and consultancy are attracted and the number of companies established in the zone is increasing day by day. Free zone companies are established in the free trade zone but carry out their commercial activities abroad. Although they're subject to TRNC Companies Law, they operate with a special company status. The biggest advantage of FZC is that since they're accepted to be outside of the customs line, they're completely exempt from all taxes such as customs tax, income tax, corporate tax, VAT etc. on income from all activities carried out with any country other than the TRNC . Dividends are also tax-exempt and the earnings can be freely transferred abroad . Since FZC are completely legal entities, the revenue obtained from a FZC can be transferred to any other country the same way as any foreign company. As long as the transfer of income is not carried out illegally, you shouldn't expect to encounter any problems in the process. FZC can be established both in offices and/or warehouses/factories located in the Free Port Area. Mailboxes can also be used and are the preferred method used by consultancy, software development, advertising, or companies that provide virtual services as they don't need a physical office. Many online service providers recognized in the Republic of Türkiye and around the world have established a FZC and are active in the TRNC Free Trade Zone due to its tax benefits. The minimum initial capital required for the establishment of a FZC is currently 50,000 Euros which can be used for company activities after approval for the establishment of the company. Apart from admin fees and taxes payable during establishment, FZC don't pay an annual fixed fee. FZC can use banks registered in TRNC as well as branches of Turkish banks. Banks will search shareolder's business activity, trsutworthiness and background before authorising any new bank accounts. Decisions to provide accounts are entirely at the discretion of the bank so past and/or ongoing relations with them are definitely an advantage. Top Useful Information > Practical Information Phones IDD Code – International Direct Dialling Code is +90 Landline numbers start 0392 Mobile numbers start 0542 (KKTC Telsim) or 0533 (Turkcell). Public Holidays Ramadan & Kurban Bayram (Feast of the Sacrifice) -Varies annually New Year’s Day - January 1st Children's Day - April 23rd Labour Day - May 1st Youth and Sports Day - May 19th Peace and Freedom Day - July 20th Communal Resistance Day - August 1st Victory Day - August 30th Turkish National Day - October 29th Independence Day (Proclamation of TRNC in 1983) - November 15th Climate Winters - Wet & mild with temperature from 6°C-18°C October - First rains October to April - Rainy season April to June - Greenest months with bright displays of wild flowers July to August - Hot & humid with highs of 40°C+ and little relief at night. September - Humidity starts to drop and days are still hot October - Cool breezes, lightning displays over the sea Christmas - Visitors will typically swim until Christmas Currency The currency is the Turkish Lira , with a constantly fluctuating exchange rate. Shopkeepers and restaurant owners are fully conversant with all major currencies and bills can be paid in UK Sterling, Euros, Dollars as well as local currency. There are many exchange bureaux in all the major towns and money is changed with little problem. Major UK Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted and can be used in ATMs, but you should inform your bank before you travel so they don’t block your card. You should also enquire about charges to use your card abroad. Travellers Cheques and Scottish banknotes are not widely accepted. Banking Unless you intend to take up residency it’s unlikely you’ll need a bank, unless it’s to make a money transfer. Electricity Supply is 220/240 volts and is provided via three-pin plugs as in the UK. Medical Care In the case of accidents and emergencies, all hospitals will provide medical care. Minor cuts and bruises will usually be treated free . Major medical treatment can incur a hefty bill, so you need comprehensive insurance to cover your holiday period, making sure any pre-existing health conditions are notified to your insurance company prior to travel. The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) and EHIC (European Health Insurance Card ) are NOT accepted in Northern Cyprus. Legal TRNC has rules and laws that are there to be obeyed. Drugs are absolutely not tolerated and possession of even a minute amount will result in a hefty prison sentence. Although North Cyprus is a safe country, care should always be taken with personal belongings, and important items should be kept in a safety deposit box. Driving Drive on the left , the same as UK. If you have a paper licence you must bring all parts to be able to hire a car. Minimum age to hire a rented vehicle is 25. You must carry your driving licence, insurance, and rental agreement at all times when driving. Visitors, if stopped by the police, will be treated kindly but driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs, as well as dangerous driving, is an offence, not tolerated, and heavy fines are imposed. Parking restrictions are evident by the painting of black and white on the kerb stones, or double yellow lines and should not be infringed. There are plenty of car parks and the fee isn't expensive. Language The language spoken in Northern Cyprus is Turkish, however many of the older Cypriots will speak English and are proud of the fact that they can. Hotel staff will usually speak a certain amount of English and are always happy to improve it. Visitors that attempt some Turkish, even if only to say Please (Lutfen), Thank you (Tessurker Ederiz) and Hello (Merhaba) will be rewarded with a beaming smile. Business / Shop Opening Hours Due to the heat of summer, most civil service offices will work from 0800 to 1400 . Winter opening hours, can and do, vary from department to department but usually they're operational from 0900 to 1230 and 1400 to 1730 . These hours will apply to most of the retail outlets with supermarkets staying open until quite late. Time Difference North Cyprus is GMT+2 hours in winter and GMT+3 hours in summer . There’s always 2 hours difference between UK time and TRNC time as clocks are altered on the same days of the year. Passports and Visas It's your responsibility to ensure that you're in possession of a full and valid passport/visa for travel. Please note if you're traveling into Larnaca (LCA) this is in Southern Cyprus, if you are travelling into Ercan (ECN) this is in Northern Cyprus, which could have different immigration. For more information before traveling to North Cyprus, please contact Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Representative Office in London, 29 Bedford Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3ED, UK. Phone: +44 20 7631 1920. For more information before traveling to South Cyprus, please contact High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in London, 13 St James's Square, St. James's, London SW1Y 4LB, UK. Phone: +44 20 7321 4100. Airports and Border Crossing Points The two airports of Ercan and Gecitkale (Military Airport) and all crossing points on the border that divide the island, are legitimate points of entry. They’re subject to passport control regulations and whatever restrictions are in place regarding the importation of goods. It’s always advisable to check duty-free allowances for alcohol, perfume, and tobacco, and the monetary value of goods for personal use before travelling. These restrictions apply equally to crossing the border from north to south and vice versa. Water It’s not advisable to drink tap water, bottled water is best. Safety You should take care whenever you’re in a foreign country. If you’re going out on your own, let someone know where you’re going and what time you’ll be back . Store important items in a safe. Don’t carry large amounts of money or your passport with you unless necessary. Always keep a small amount of money in case of emergencies and ensure you have the contact numbers for police/ambulance/embassy etc if you need them. Emergency Phone Numbers Police:155 Fire:199 Forest Fires:177 Ambulance Emergencies:112 General (State) Hospital Phone Numbers Nicosia/Lefkosa0392 2285441 Kyrenia/Girne0392 815 2226/8152254 Famagusta/Magusa0392 3662876/3665328 Guzelyurt0392 7142125 Top Useful Information > Cyprus History Humans were in Cyprus In the Stone Age along with dwarf elephants , pygmy hippos , dogs, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, foxes, and deer. By 6,000 BC cattle had disappeared, deer were still hunted, but the economy was based on sheep, goats and pigs. 10,000 years old water wells have been discovered. In 2004, a cat was discovered buried with its human owner and was estimated to be 9,500 years old - older than Egyptian civilization. The first cities were built in the Bronze Age when copper was mined and traded. Buildings were used to process and store olive oil , a product the island is still famous for today. Copper ingots recovered from shipwrecks show widespread metal trade. Cyprus was part of the Hittite empire governed from Northern Syria. Achaean Greeks settled from the 1400 BC and Dorian Greeks arrived around 1100 BC. Pottery indicates early trade with Crete . In the 8th century BC the number of settlements increased significantly and monumental tombs, like the 'Royal ' tombs of Salamis appear for the first time. This is likely the start of what is known as the Cypriot kingdoms . 10 kingdoms are listed in an inscription from 673 BC - Salamis, Kition, Amathus, Kourion, Paphos and Soli on the coast and Tamassos, Ledra, Idalium and Chytri in the interior. Cyprus gained independence around 669 BC but was conquered by Egypt and then by Persians around 545 BC. At the beginning of the 4th century BC, the King of Salamis, took control of the whole island and tried to gain independence from Persia, but was crushed by Artaxerxes in 344 BC. During the siege of Tyre, Cypriot Kings sided with Alexander the Great , then in 321 sided with Ptolemy I. Ptolemy lost Cyprus briefly, but it remained under Ptolemaic rule till 58 BC and was ruled by a governor from Egypt . Strong commercial relationships developed with Athens and Alexandria. Full Hellenisation took place under Ptolemaic rule, as Phoenician and native Cypriot traits disappeared, as well as the old Cypriot syllabic script. Cyprus became a Roman province in 58 BC. Mark Antony gave the island to Cleopatra of Egypt but it became a Roman province again after his defeat at the Battle of Actium, in 30 BC. A Jewish uprising of 115/116 AD led to great losses and it was placed under the control of and governed by a proconsul. Several earthquakes led to the destruction of Salamis at the beginning of the 4th century, at the same time drought and famine hit the island. After the Roman Empire, Cyprus came under the rule of Constantinople . The Arabs and Muslims invaded in the 650s, but in 688, Emperor Justinian II and the caliph Abd al-Malik reached a remarkable agreement where, for 300 years, Cyprus was ruled jointly by both the Arabs and the Byzantines as a condominium, despite almost constant war between the two parties on the mainland. In 965, Cyprus was conquered by a resurgent Byzantium. In the 12th century Cyprus was targeted by crusaders. Richard the Lionheart landed in Limassol on 1 June 1191 in search of his sister and his bride Berengaria, whose ship had become separated from the fleet in a storm. Richard married Berengaria in Limassol on 12 May 1192 and continued to occupy Cyprus and raise taxes until he sold it to the Knights Templar . Soon after, the French arrived, establishing the Kingdom of Cyprus. Latin , then French , become the official language, with Greek as a second official language. In 1196, the Latin Church was established, resulting in the Orthodox Cypriot Church being persecuted. Maronites from Syria settled on Cyprus during the Crusades and still maintain some villages in the North. A small Roman Catholic population was mainly confined to coastal cities such as Famagusta as well as Nicosia, the traditional capital. The independent Eastern Orthodox Church of Cyprus, with its own archbishop and subject to no patriarch, was allowed to remain on the island, but the Latin Church largely displaced it in stature and holding property. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas was consecrated in 1328, and is the largest medieval building in Famagusta, where the Kings of Cyprus were crowned also as Kings of Jerusalem . In 1571 having fallen to the Ottoman Empire, it became the Mosque of Mağusa, and remains a mosque today. In 1268 , Hugh III of Cyprus claimed Cyprus and its territory of Acre as well as Jerusalem thus uniting the kingdoms. Like Jerusalem, Cyprus had a High Court . The island was richer and more feudal than Jerusalem, so the king had more personal wealth and could afford to ignore the court. Cyprus became the centre of European trade with Africa and Asia after the fall of Acre in 1291 and became dominated in the 14th century by Genoese merchants. In 1489 the last Queen, Catherine Cornaro, was forced to sell the island to Venice . Ottomans started raiding Cyprus immediately afterwards, and captured it in 1571 . This is the historical setting to Shakespeare's Othello , the play's title character being the commander of the Venetian garrison defending Cyprus against the Ottomans. Turks and Cypriots coexisted harmoniously on the island which was rich in salt, sugar, cotton, grains, and other export goods. It was also a centre of Syria-Venice trade and served as the eastern Mediterranean's main emporium for Venice's maritime trade. The Ottoman Empire was predominantly Muslim, so there was a cultural and religious clash when it conquered Cyprus. More Muslims came to Cyprus, mixing in with the Orthodox Christian Greek population of the island and led to the Millet System , which allowed authorities to rule over their religious minorities to keep peace in the Country. The 1878 Russo-Turkish War ended Ottoman control with Britain taking over who annexed the island unilaterally in 1914, after it declared war against the Ottomans during the First World War. Under British rule, the island enjoyed increased freedom of speech, something which allowed development of Greek Cypriots' ideas of enosis (unification with Greece). In the 1920s, representatives were repeatedly sent to England to request union with Greece but to no avail. In 1925, following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Britain declared the island a Crown Colony, and made it clear that unification was out of the question. In October 1931 the October riots resulted in autocratic rule known as Palmerokratia ("Palmerocracy"), named after governor Richmond Palmer, which until the start of World War II. In 1950 , the Orthodox Church of Cyprus organized a referendum on union with Greece, but the international community showed no desire to support their request. In 1960 , a new constitution createdpower-sharing, where the vice-president and at least 30% of members of parliament would be Turkish Cypriots. Archbishop Makarios III would be the President and Dr. Fazıl Küçük would become vice president. The constitution also created separate local municipalities so that Greek and Turkish Cypriots could manage their own municipalities in large towns. In 1964 , the United Nations were forced to send peacekeeping forces to protect the vastly outnumbered Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriot attacks and they remain on the island today. In 1974 , the Makarios Government was planning to eradicate Turkish Cypriots completely, but a military coup with the support of the junta in Greece led to Turkey intervening in the north of the island to protect Turkish Cypriots. In 1975 the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus was created. The name was changed to The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , on 15 November 1983. In 2002 the UN started negotiations for unification. In 2004 a plan for unification emerged, supported by the UN, the EU and the USA. Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan, but Greek Cypriots rejected it. After Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, the euro replaced the Cypriot pound in 2008 while Northern Cyprus continued to use the Turkish lira. Top Useful Information > Internet & TV Northern Cyprus Internet connectivity is generally fast and good quality, with monthly packages low cost compared to western Europe or the UK. If you’re coming for short periods on holiday, you may be happy to use mobile broadband via your own mobile phone on roaming, or by purchasing a local sim card and data package, but if you’re purchasing a property you’ll more than likely want to have your own Wi-Fi installed. Coverage All of Northern Cyprus, apart from very remote country areas, has good mobile signal reception and high-quality internet operates via the mobile broadband system. Some apartment sites offer free internet restaurants or reception areas and if your property happens to be near to these, you might just get get free internet by virtue of your property location, but in most cases you'll want to have your own installed. Installation Contact one of the service providers and give them your address and they’ll be able to give you the best package for that location, arrange a time to come and fit your router, and give you all the price details. You’ll need to pay monthly in advance. Cost Exchange rates vary but broadband in Northern Cyprus is typically around half the cost of most European countries. Internet/Broadband providers Extend Multimax Nethouse Fixnet Turkcell Superonline Flynet Comtech Satellite Internet The Starlink satellite internet system, provided by Elon Musk's company. has scheduled TRNC coverage from late 2023. Mobile broadband It’s a good idea to purchase a local Telsim or Turkcell sim card upon arrival (they’re sold at the airport), and get the package which offers the best amount of data included. You may be able to use this to tether to your laptop or tablet too and this may suit you for short visits. English language TV You can receive local TV channels with a normal antenna, a few of which are in English. All English language TV is now accessed via the internet in Northern Cyprus. You can get quite a bit of TV from your own country using a VPN (virtual private network), and accessing TV via your own mobile data, but if you’re moving here or spending extended times in the country, your Internet/Broadband provider or the Satellite TV companies, listed here, can assist you. Satellite TV providers All North Cyprus English language TV is now accessed via the internet. Around the island, you'll see lots of places showing English Premier Leagure football. BEIN sports is very popular and this allows you to watch pretty much every EPL game live. Firesticks are also popular, and there are a number of providers who can set these up for you. Netflix is also popular in TRNC. Digiturk – Satellite TV Satellite Cyprus TV Local TV You can receive local TV many channels with a normal antenna. Top Useful Information > Local Tradesmen The following are all well known and respected tradesmen in the local area. Plumber : +90 533 830 6518 (Musait) Painter : +90 533 832 3308 (Inan) Yapi Market : +90 533 869 9734 (Huseyin) All Maintenance: +90 533 861 1467 (Erdogan) Renovations Repairs Electrics Top Useful Information > M.I.C.E. Tourism Climate, natural beauty and state-of-the-art facilities are making Northern Cyprus one of the fastest growing destinations for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions ) tourism, attracting businesses from far and wide. Pretty much all 5-star hotels cater for conferences and exhibitions, whether it be small seminar halls, or large convention centres. There's plenty of choice for business of all industries and sizes. As an incentive , business can now offer employees a safe, multicultural island, in the Mediterranean, with 10 months of sunshine, sandy beaches, spectacular mountains, superb hospitality, international entertainment and bundles of exquisite cuisine. Ancient civilisation sites; cultural tours; a championship golf course; spa treatment; Turkish baths or simply a dip in the pool or sea, ensure everyone will enjoy their time away from the meeting rooms. Top Useful Information > General Overview Top Useful Information > Mobile Phones Mobile Telephone Operators KKTCell - Commonly referred to as Turkcell. (0533 / 0539 numbers) Telsim - part owned by Vodafone. (0542 / 0548 numbers). You shouldn’t experience any issues in North Cyprus because both firms use GSM, which can be found on most modern mobile phones. GSM bands include 850, 900, 1800, and 1900. Both have agreements with all major international networks, so you shouldn’t have any trouble connecting after you arrive if you wish to use your usual mobile number while you're here. Coming from the UK Vodafone & O2 offer unlimited call and text roaming in North Cyprus &Türkiye at a cost. Vodafone also roams without additional charges in the South. For other networks, check with them before travelling to see what packages they’re offering. If Türkiye isn’t included, you’d be better to bring a second phone with a pay as you go Vodafone sim card in it. Alternatively, you can buy a sim card from Turkcell or Telsim. Offers available include pay as you go data packages as well as calls and texts. The larger supermarkets, including Lemar , generally have stands for both networks. There’s also one at Ercan Airport so you can buy a sim card immediately on arrival. South Cyprus If you have a mobile phone registered in Europe, roaming is free for South Cyprus whatever your network at home, although charges are higher in the North, unless you’re on Vodafone or O2. If you want a south Cyprus sim card, corner shops have a wide range of sim cards available. Using Turkcell or Telsim in South Cyprus Before crossing to the south: TURKCELL – text "GUNEY "(South) to 1717 to start roaming in the South. Text "KUZEY " (north) to 1717 to stop. TELSIM – text "AC " (open) to 7075 to start roaming in the South. Text "KAPAT " ( close) to 7075 to stop. Text before you cross the border, or you’ll be hit with different rates. Be careful when close to the border as you could roam accidentally. Using South Cyprus mobile phones in North Cyprus Contact your service provider to see if you need to activate roaming for the north before crossing the border. It may well be automatic. Charges for South Cyprus users visiting the North, are generally cheaper than for North Cyprus users visiting the South. Summary UK visitors : if you're coming for short periods to North or South Cyprus, a UK Vodafone or O2 pay as you go sim card or contract will include your usage on both sides of the border . European visitors : North Cyprus counts as Türkiye. South Cyprus is Europe. Your mobile phone will roam without additional charges in the south . It’ll incur costs in the north unless your provider includes Türkiye . Check with your provider. Buying local sim cards : Available at supermarkets and allow roaming on both sides of the border for a cost. Turkcell or Telsim sim card users need to activate roaming before they cross the border to avoid higher charges. WhatsApp WhatsApp is very popular in Northern Cyprus and many individuals and businesses use it. Top Useful Information > Police North Cyprus has a modern, well-equipped police force that carries out not just crime fighting, but traffic, immigration, drug and fraud divisions for example. They also assist other countries when they're investigating their nationals who may be residing in North Cyprus. They're very quick to deal with any crime committed against tourists, as infrequent as they are. The police report to the Security Council and Ministry of the Interior, with the Commander in Chief sitting on the Council along with representatives from the Ministries of Interior and Defence and the President. There are police stations in all main cities and towns , although villages usually have to rely on their nearest town for a police station and service. If you’re in any situation which requires the assistance of the police, you can rest assured that they will do all they can to help you . You may also find that local Turkish Cypriots will try to help you as well, translating and accompanying you to a police station if necessary for example. Emergency Police Number - 155 +90 392 381 2325 Police Karpaz +90 392 714 2140 Police Guzelyurt +90 392 366 5310 Police Famagusta +90 392 815 2014 Police Kyrenia +90 392 228 3311 Police Lefkosa Top Useful Information > Postal Services The postal service here is run by TRNC Postal Office which has branches in all major cities, towns and villages. Be aware that branch opening hours may not be the same as branch parcel acceptance & delivery hours. Contact your local branch to find out more. Addresses When sending letters from abroad it’s important the address includes “Mersin 10, Turkey ” and the postcode should also be included. These are not individual address codes, but relate to fairly large areas. This add-on routes post to Türkiye, where the “Mersin 10” lets them know it needs to come to Northern Cyprus. The postcode then tells the TRNC post office which area o it needs to go to. Make sure you don’t include ‘’Cyprus ’’ in the address, or it’ll be sent to the South of the island, who'll just return it to you. Example address with postcode: 123 Abc Sokak Karakum, Girne Mersin 10 99320 Türkiye Post can be collected from your local post office, who also have yellow PO Boxes in many branches, but there’s often a waiting list for renting them. You can rent one between a few families if there’s a limit on boxes available. Stamps Post offices sell stamps which you’ll need for posting letters, as well as any official documentation such as work and residency permits, taxing cars etc. If you’re buying stamps for official document purposes, buy plain stamps, not special edition stamps, as these are often not accepted by Government Departments. Special Edition Stamps The postal service often releases Special Edition Stamps such as in the spring, or before particular bayram holidays etc. The Postal Department also has a Philatelist Section which collectors can contact to receive limited editions and special first day covers. Private purchases can also be made. Postal Charges Current postal charges - Prices are in Turkish, but your local postal office can advise you regarding prices. Post can be sent on standard or registered/tracked mail . TRNC Post Office Service has an online “Track and Trace ” service to allow you to check the delivery status of any items ordered simply by entering the barcode number shown on an order receipt. Domestic Post – letters can be delivered throughout the island Surface Overseas Mail (by land & sea) - done by ferry from Famagusta. Divided into two groups: Türkiye and other countries. Sending mail to the TRNC from the UK If you want to send a letter or parcel from the UK, visit www.royalmail.com . They offer 3 main international services; Standard, Tracked, and Tracked & Signed. Tracked/Tracked & Signed, supply a tracking number, which you can use to follow your delivery until it gets to Istanbul. After it reaches Türkiye, you can view progress on the Turkish Tracking System in Turkish or ask your local post office and they’ll check it for you. Tracked Mail usually takes roughly 10-15 working days to arrive and are generally a more reliable method of ensuring your post arrives safely in TRNC. Cargo Companies Cargo companies that offer domestic and international post/package shipment. Yurtici Kargo MNG Kargo TNT Kargo UPS Kargo DHL Kargo All have offices in Lefkosa, some in Girne and Famagusta. Branch addresses are available on their websites. Top Useful Information > Refuse Collection Large bins for communal use are placed around the site but are for household refuse only. Do not put garden waste or rubble from renovations in these bins as they will not be emptied. Collections are usually twice a week but may vary. Collection days may also vary and in hot summer months may be at night or early morning when it is cooler. Garden waste and rubble can be disposed of by the local council / beledeyisi. Top Useful Information > Religion Northern Cyprus is a completely secular state, with therefore no official religion, although it's predominantly populated by people of Islamic faith. There are other religions and ethnic groups active on the island, some of whom are descendents from the various cultures that make this place such a mixed and special place to be. Muslim Islam was introduced when Uthman the 3rd Caliph conquered Cyprus in 649. Turkish Muslims settled during Ottoman rule between 1571 and 1878. The Ottoman Empire gave land to its soldiers provided they and their families stayed permanently. During the 17th century the Turkish population grew rapidly, and Islam is now the main religion practised in North Cyprus. You can hear the call to prayer five times a day from most places on the island, but the faith is not practised to such an extent that women cover themselves, nor do people abstain from alcohol in North Cyprus. Maronite Cypriots The Maronite community is based in the north-east of the island in Kormacit/Koruçam. They're of Christian origin, descended from those who came from Lebanon and Syria around 1200 years ago. They speak in an Arabic dialect, although many Turkish and Greek words are used. The Maronites belong to the Greek Cypriot community to which, owing to similar religious, linguistic and cultural bonds, they are much closer. They have a Maronite Archbishop who is elected by the Holy Synod of the Maronite Church in Lebanon and confirmed by His Holiness the Pope. Anglican A large number of Church of England expats and foreigners attend Anglican churches in North Cyprus. There's St Andrews Church in Kyrenia which holds services on Sundays and Thursdays, and St Marks which has services on a Sunday both at the Boğaz Hotel and St Georges Chapel in Famagusta. Roman Catholic There are also Roman Catholics in North Cyprus, with mass held at St Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church in Kyrenia near to the Dome Hotel every Sunday. Bahá’i This religion is based upon the spiritual and is an independent religion practised worldwide with a small group in North Cyprus. Its principles are to bring about the oneness of humanity as there was only one Creator, the spiritual truth of all religions is the same. There are also smaller religious and ethnic groups, such as Armenian Cypriots who first arrived on the island in around 1915, Latin Cypriots who practise Catholicism, as well as Romany Gypsies who are reported to have arrived in Cyprus at the time of the Lusignans. Top Useful Information > Relocating If you’re thinking of relocating to Northern Cyprus here’s a guide to moving your possessions, car, family and pets to your new property. Importing furniture & possessions You can easily import them using an international removals company. They’re free of tax if they're all over 12 months old. If you’re moving from South Cyprus, you can bring one car or vanload of household goods. You should allow at least 6-8 weeks for items to arrive and you must be in Northern Cyprus to receive the goods in person. Alternatively, you could buy a fully furnished property and just ship or bring your most precious personal effects with you. If you’ve decided to import furniture, try Euromed , Olaytrans , Britannia Movers , Aspin International and Emel Shipping or search for others online. Some companies visit your home to review what you wish to ship and give a customised quotation. The quote will depend on how much of a 20- or 40-foot container your possessions will occupy. Some companies will also come and pack for you, at a cost, and offer a full door-to-door service; others will offer a door-to-Famagusta dock service. The company you choose should keep you updated on progress and inform you of the likely time and date of arrival. The quickest period from overseas is likely to be a month but you should allow longer. Once your goods arrive at the dock, it can take 5-10 days for customs clearance. The time can be affected by x-raying, physical inspection, volume of traffic at the port and the levy of any import duties or taxes. At the port you’ll need: • A complete inventory list of the contents of the container (in English and Turkish ). • A letter from the Muhktar (Mayor) of your TRNC village confirming your address (you may need a rental or sales agreement to get this). • An “in and out” letter from a police station (details your trips in and out of TRNC to date). Once you have these, you'll be advised to visit the customs office in Lefkoşa where they'll be stamped and authorised. Take this completed paperwork to your shipping agent offices in Famagusta. When packing, create an inventory of everything English and Turkish (the customs official checking it upon arrival in TRNC might not speak English). When the container finally arrives at your house, a local customs official will arrive with it to check it contains what you say it contains. At last, you're reunited with your possessions in your new home. Importing a car You can officially bring one car in if it's under 3 years old (or over five years old with you as registered owner for the last five years) but experienced ex-pats generally recommend against importing a car to TRNC due to the bureaucracy. You’ll also have to pay import duty of 40-60% of the Glasses guide mid-range value within 12 months of the car arriving. You may also find it more difficult to get comprehensive insurance, face restrictions on its resale for periods of time, and face difficulty sourcing spares and parts. General consensus is it’s not worth the effort or hassle, unless you really can’t be separated from a particular car. Second-hand cars often cost more in Northern Cyprus than other European countries due to import taxes, so it may be more sensible to shop around for a good second-hand car or long term car rental once you’re here. You can drive initially on your driving licence from your own country, but if you become resident in North Cyprus, you'll need to apply for a TRNC licence. Importing Pets The first thing you need to ensure is that the property you buy does allow pets, because some complexes don’t. You’ll ideally need some private outside space with a ground floor apartment or a villa set in a private plot. The British run KARS (Kyrenia Animal Rescue) charity in Karakum, Kyrenia, can help you organise the import. Not only do KARS rescue and care for stray and unwanted animals in Kyrenia, it has become THE information centre for cat and dog import and export to Northern Cyprus. TRNC isn’t in the EU, hence not part of the Pet Passport Scheme so you can import an animal but not bring them for short term visits or holidays. Before you move to North Cyprus, book an appointment with KARS. Your pet will need a current ‘Pet Passport’ with the Rabies vaccination done no less than 30 days prior to entry and the Serology Test being done no more than 12 months prior to entry. There are requirements for vaccinations for both cats and dogs which KARS has full details of. Quarantine is no longer required, but an import licence is. This will be issued in Lefkosa if the paperwork is in order. KARS can tell you how to organise this and can also advise on the export procedure. Importing family Many ex-pats move to Northern Cyprus with children or older relatives. There are excellent English-speaking junior schools, high schools and Universities for young people, and you might want to take into account driving time to school when choosing a property. When you apply for residency, you must prove you can support relatives who come with you who are under 18 and older relatives will need to prove a source of income or pension. There's excellent and affordable private health care in North Cyprus. With the growth of English education and increasingly sophisticated health care in North Cyprus, it’s becoming far more common for ex-pat families to arrive who have younger, and older, family members. Gone are the days when the only ex-pats relocating to North Cyprus were retirees, with facilities available for family members of all ages. The two main English speaking schools in Northern Cyprus, which cater for children from as young as 3 right up to 18, are the Necat British College in Alsancak (west of Kyrenia) and the English School of Kyrenia in Bellapais (East of Kyrenia). These excellent schools have affordable fee structures and are now attracting ex-pats to relocate to North Cyprus purely for the excellent quality of the education. If you’re a working age couple with elderly relatives, you might consider bringing them to live with you as the Mediterranean climate is ideal for older people and tends to lead to improvements in health. The main consideration at this point is health care as there's no free healthcare in Northern Cyprus. There is, however, excellent and affordable private dental and healthcare with many visitors coming especially for surgery, dental work and other procedures and with all pharmacists and doctors/specialists generally speaking English. Excellent and affordable pharmacies can fulfil prescriptions from elsewhere and are usually cheaper. Top Useful Information > Residency There is no automatic right to reside and work in the TRNC for EU citizens . If you want stay in TRNC longer than the period of a tourist visa, you have to get a residency permit . The first port of call is the local police station’s immigration department. You’ll need to produce to the police the following documents: Passport original and photocopy If you have the title deeds to property in your name, the title deeds (original) and photocopy. If you have purchased a property under Contract of Sale, but have not yet received the title deeds to the property, the Contract of Sale (original) and photocopy. If you are living in rented accommodation the Tenancy Agreement (original) and photocopy. A letter from your local village chief (Mukhtar ) to say you reside in his village. This letter is called Ikametgah Belgesi in Turkish. You can usually find your Mukhtar in the centre of the village where you live, near to the local municipality (Belediye) building or the post office Bank documents showing that you have a TRNC bank account which has sufficient funds or a regular income to enable you to support yourself in the TRNC without working. 2 passport photos 6YTL stamps (Damga Pulu in Turkish). The amount required is constantly changing, so take spares in case more are required. The police will then refer you to the Lefkosa State Hospital, or a licensed clinic, for a health test . The test will check for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and TB . After you’ve had the health test, take the results, unopened, to the immigration office in Lefkosa for the residency permit to be stamped in your passport. The immigration office is called the ‘Muhaceret Dairesi’ in Turkish. A residency permit only entitles you to live in the TRNC, not work or set up a business . It’s valid for 1 year and must be renewed every year by following the same procedure (except for the hospital check). Children under the age of 18, don’t require residency permits so families moving to TRNC only need apply for residency for the adult members of the family. Non-citizens who give birth to a child in TRNC, need to notify their embassy or consulate of the birth. Once this has been done and a letter to this effect has been obtained from the embassy or consulate, you apply to the District Office (Kaymakamlik ) in the area in which you live, to register the child’s birth. Becoming a citizen of TRNC is more complex. Citizenship is granted to all whose mother or father is a Turkish Cypriot or to those married to a Turkish Cypriot. Presently, there is a new law in Parliament to allow foreign nationals to become citizens of the TRNC after 10 years of residence in the TRNC. This guide is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The information provided is on the basis of current law at the time of writing. Top Useful Information > Retiring “We only came here for a week’s holiday. That was ten years ago!” Many who eventually move to live in the north of the island initially arrive for a holiday and quickly realise that the TRNC is the perfect retirement destination. There are now over 10,000 British, European and other international expat residents living happily alongside the over 300,000 resident Turkish-speaking population. So why do so many people choose North Cyprus for retirement?T here are a huge number of benefits to retirement in the TRNC. Probably the most frequently quoted reason is simply the fabulous Mediterranean weather – out of 365 days in a year, you can expect sunshine on around 340 of them ! The Cyprus climate verges on the semi-tropical and although there is of course the much-needed rain in the winter, it's generally at least 10° hotter than the UK on any given day of the year, with frost almost unheard of. It's well known that people 60+ benefit hugely from warmer weather and increased natural sunlight , with doctors recommending a Mediterranean climate to those with certain health conditions including arthritis . Private healthcare and hospital facilities are “state of the art” with new centres including the Near East University Hospital and Medical School boasting world-class equipment and treatment opportunities. More and more visitors arrive to take advantage of the far lower prices for private healthcare and operations and find better healthcare in Cyprus than in their own country of origin. Although those retiring to North Cyprus do need to consider private medical insurance, the specialist consultation prices are so low that it can be cheaper just to “pay as you go”. Prescription and over the counter medicines are often far cheaper. For the active retiree, the sky is actually NOT the limit for the number of leisure activities you can pursue. Well-known British centenarian and former TRNC resident, Peggy McAlpine, was world-famous for her Guinness Book of Records paragliding feats aged 104 from the 2,400 ft peak of the North Cyprus Besparmak (Five Finger) mountains down to the coast. For those preferring land or water-based leisure activities, Korineum Golf & Beach Resort boasts an impeccably maintained 18 hole golf course with stunning mountain and sea views. There are marinas as well as a host of diving and waters ports clubs. For those who like socialising , the various English-speaking societies organise dances, talks and other fundraising events. There's a host of new expat bookshops , cafes and weekend markets where expats meet and relax together in the sun. North Cyprus is officially a Muslim country but welcomes people from other faiths. Church goers are delighted to find the lovely traditional St. Andrew’s church in Kyrenia with regular Sunday services run by an Episcopal vicar resident at the nearby Hermitage. The British Residents Society and "Foreign Residents Society" hold “clinics” where experienced ex pats are happy to dispense advice to new arrivals and where membership can be obtained. Top Useful Information > Rough Guide Top Useful Information > Transportation As an island in the Mediterranean, travel to Northern Cyprus is mainly air , although transportation from Türkiye by sea is also an option. Once you’re here there’s a number of transportation options to choose from. Air Travel Ercan Airport (ECN) , located near the capital Lefkoşa, serves over 4m passengers a year. Turkish Airlines, Anadolu Jet and Pegasus Airlines are the main carriers. Charter flight carriers include Freebird, Tailwind and Corendon Airlines. A major extension of the runway as well as construction of an eco-friendly new terminal opened on 20 July 2023. The size of the new terminal building, described as the TRNC’s “window to the world”, is 20,000 square meters , sitting on grounds that measure some 7.8 million sq meters – six times the airport’s old size. The terminal parking area is 34,000 sq meters and its new main runway will be 2,755 meters long, in keeping with international standards for commercial aircraft. The airport apron has room for 30 parked aircraft, 9 of which have passenger boarding bridges. Inside the new terminal building, there are 60 check-in desks and 44 passport control points . Security has been enhanced with 26 modern x-ray devices and a baggage screening and handling capacity of 5,000 per hour . The new larger space and improved facilities mean the airport’s passenger traffic can grow to 10 million passengers a year. Most travellers currently come from Turkiye, but tourism to the TRNC from Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East continues to rise. Ercan Airport is located 14 kilometres from Lefkoşa, 40 km from Famagusta and 44 km from Kyrenia. Ease of access to Ercan and its direct links to global travel hub Istanbul Airport, has made it an increasingly popular choice for residents living in South Cyprus too. Shuttle Service Services to and from Ercan Airport to five major towns, Kyrenia, Nicosia, Famagusta, Güzelyurt and Lefke are organised around inbound and outbound flight times, offering visitors a consistent and economic means of transport. Many Tour Operators also offer transfers and door to door services for visitors booked through them. Car Rental Global and local vehicle hire operators are stationed throughout the island, with those running at Ercan offering pick up and drop at the airport. Car hire prices differ, based on season, brand, passenger capacity and length of hire. Visitors intending to explore the island are well advised to arrange car hire to make the most of their experience. Taxis Renowned for only driving luxury vehicle models, vacant taxi drivers are almost always stationed at their bays and not likely to be stopped roadside. All hotels will have a designated taxi partner readily on call, and in most town centres travellers will pass by a near taxi bay. Taxis are metered and charge per kilometre distance travelled, although rates do change between daytime and night. When travelling between towns, on mid to long distance journeys, most drivers will be able to quote a fixed price beforehand, and if you really wnat to get local, try bargaining the fee before you get in. Top Public Transport Not the most advanced service or infrastructure, small minibuses also known as “Dolmuş ” (dol-moush) pick up passengers’ roadside and transport over short distances, connecting main towns to villages. Very frequent in most towns as well as cheap, there's often no regulated schedule nor do they stray off any main roads, an important consideration when planning for your visit. Sea Travel If you're considering crossing the Mediterranean by sea, daily ferry services operate from Famagusta and Kyrenia to Mersin province in the southern coast of Türkiye and final plans are under way for services connecting Alanya near to Antalya, with North Cyprus. Depending on the type of ferry available, the shortest duration from Kyrenia to Mersin Taşucu is 2.5 hours . Driving Regulations Traffic in North Cyprus uses the left-hand side of the road and driving regulations are similar to that of the United Kingdom. Short-term visitors and tourists can drive non-commercial vehicles using most global driving licences, including EU and UK. Pedestrians Pedestrians are reminded that traffic moves on the left side of the road and are advised to look both right and left carefully before crossing any road. If pavements aren't available, you should walk on the right side, towards any oncoming traffic. Useful Information > Utilities For Gas Bottles or large (19 Litre) Bottles of Drinking Water Delivered to your door: Contact Mehmet on +90 533 846 5393 To have your 5 ton water tank refilled: Contact Celal on +90 533 862 1452 Contact Hasan on +90 533 861 4093 If you want to be connected to mains water: contact the local council/beleydisi. To get electricity connected: Contact Kibtek Power Cuts They do happen from time to time but usually for no more than an hour. Have some candles handy just in case. Top Useful Information > Visas & Entry There are two distinct ways of entering North Cyprus. Directly via Türkiye into Ercan airport, or via South Cyprus and crossing over the border. Via Ercan airport British, EU and US passport holders don't need tourist visas for North Cyprus entry and up to a 90-day stay may be granted. Tourist visitors staying at hotel or rented accommodation will normally be issued a visa for a maximum of 30 days. If they can submit documents showing that a prior payment has been made for lengthier accommodation, a visa up to 90 days may be granted. A visa up to 90 days may also be issued to those who come for official visits, business meetings, conferences, seminars, meetings, festivals, fairs, exhibitions, sporting events, cultural and artistic events, health tourism and similar purposes. Citizens of the European Union and Schengen Area Countries travelling to North Cyprus can show a National Identity Card, whereas citizens of other countries are required to present a valid Passport . Ercan Airport, located just outside the capital Nicosia, currently serves over 4million passengers a year, and major carriers include Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines as well as several charter flight carriers.. Upon arrival to Ercan, visitors fill out personal details on a white slip which will be stamped on entry and should be retained throughout the visit. Citizens of countries that don't have an Embassy, Consulate General, Consulate or Representative Office in North Cyprus, or that are not members of the EU, must have a passport valid for at least 6 months to be able to enter the country. Citizens of countries that do have an Embassy, Consulate General, Consulate or Representative Office in North Cyprus or are citizens of EU countries, must have a passport or travel document valid for at least 2 months to be able to enter. It's worth noting that visitors transiting Türkiye en route to Ercan, may decide to leave the airport in Türkiye to visit for a few hours or days, in which case they will have to purchase a visa available upon exit through passport control. Via South Cyprus You can cross the border at one of the many Turkish Cypriot passport controls points, and the same conditions apply. There are no restrictions on how many times you cross and border crossings are open 24 hours a day. There are limitations on the volume of goods you can cross the border with, especially duty-free items, such as cigarettes and alcohol or contraband. Any person found to be violating these restrictions will have their goods confiscated and a fine can also be imposed. Northern Cyprus Visa Applications Passport with a minimum of 2 blank pages that will be valid for at least 90 days after the end of travel. Copy of the first page, including personal data and previous visas (if obtained) also must be provided. Completed and signed visa application form along with one color biometric photo, that are not older than 6 months. Proof of travel, with confirmed two-way tickets. Bank account details, proving the passenger can sufficiently fund their travel. Evidence of occupation in the form of certified documents such as; letter from an employer, student certificate, document of registration or demonstration of pension funds. Accommodation details through an invitation letter or proof of hotel reservation throughout the stay. Documentation of travel health insurance throughout the period of travel and that is valid within the entire Schengen area. There are specific documents that need to be attached to an application depending on employment status. Employed: Employment contract (original certificate of employment indicating position in company and salary) Bank account statement of the past 6 months Approval letter of leave from employer Income Tax Return (ITR) Self-employed: Proof of business license (company registration) Company’s bank account statement of the past 6 months Income Tax Return (ITR) Student: Documentation of University enrolment No-objection certificate from school management Retired: Pension statement documenting the past 6 months Unemployed: Proof of financial resources is required If the person is not able to finance their own expenses, proof of a sponsor is mandatory. Visa Sponsorship Students or unemployed/retired people who aren't in a position to cover their own travel expenses will need to demonstrate support from a sponsor who will bear all costs. The sponsor must be a first-degree relative and will have to prove sufficient resources by meeting certain requirements such as filling out the sponsorship form and submitting the requested documents. Northern Cyprus Visa Rules Visa applications shall be submitted to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Embassy or Diplomatic Mission. It's advised to submit applications at least one month prior to your travel date. Visa applications are concluded in three days. Citizens of Syria, Nigeria and Armenia are required to process their visa applications in person. Citizens of other countries may obtain their visas at the border by Immigration Officers. However, the terms of entry differ depending on the nationality of passport holders. Flights to Northern Cyprus are connected from Türkiye. Thus, travelers may need a transit visa from Republic of Türkiye depending on their nationality of origin. Turkish citizens may face problems obtaining a Greek visa if their passports have an entry or exit stamp from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Therefore, it may be recommended to travel with national identity card. Turkish Citizens Turkish citizens can visit Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus without any visa requirements. A valid passport or identity card is needed. Top Useful Information > Weddings & Honeymoons Good enough for royalty Weddings and Honeymoons in Northern Cyprus are really special. The warmth of the people who place marriage at the centre of their culture just adds to the occasion. Since Richard the Lionheart chose to marry his Queen, Berengaria in Cyprus, the island has always held a romantic attraction for couples. Convenient marriage laws and spectacular wedding locations make Northern Cyprus a truly great destination for your wedding. Whether it be the party itself, or the getaway after, Northern Cyprus has been soaring in appeal in recent years. Marriages in TRNC are legal, accepted and recognised worldwide, so it doesn’t matter where you're from. The law is based primarily on English law, which simplifies the whole marriage process, making it easier to understand and meaning wedding services and marital documents are all in English. Legal requirements for a wedding to take place include: bride and groom to have stayed in TRNC for at least 6 days before their wedding ; copies of passports; birth certificates, a form to be completed for submission to the District Officer; and a decree absolute if divorced. You'll find everything you might want which takes the stress out of the whole process. Personalised bouquets and arrangements are widely available. Standard or personalised wedding cakes only need a few days advance order. Custom designed wedding rings are widely available and usually less expensive. Hair and beauty salons are on almost every street corner or you can book a stylist to come to your venue and spend the day by your sides. Professional photographers and camera operators are on hand. Live entertainment , musicians, orchestras, English speaking singers and artists as well as DJ’s, are in abundance and easily found. Hen and stag nights can be catered for. Spa days, group nights out for dinner , raving at one of the best clubs in the Med, private boat trips or anything else you can come up with - it's all here! With the average cost of a wedding spiralling in Europe, it’s no wonder thousands of couples are looking to TRNC for their dream day where costs are commonly a third of a similar wedding at home - with almost perfect weather. Many friends and family make the trip to share in your dream wedding in the sun, often making a holiday of it themselves. Even if you do get married in Europe, North Cyprus offers a grand choice for honeymoons . Booking as a honeymoon couple will usually get you the “honeymoon suite”, decorated for the occasion and a generous welcome package. Pamper yourself at the spa, laze on golden beaches, bathe in the blue Mediterranean, sip cocktails, dine in style overlooking the shores or with a mountain backdrop and soak up the nature. It'll be a holiday to treasure and tell the kids about in years to come. Korineum Golf & Beach Resort Boasts breath-taking landscapes and 360° views with the Beşparmak Mountain Range on one side, the Mediterranean on the other and luscious lawns in between. Proceedings are set apart from the main hotel grounds ensuring your day remains private and intimate. For couples wanting luxurious facilities, but in green and peaceful surroundings, it's the perfect choice. Set amongst natural forest of umbrella pines and olives it’s an experience you’ll never forget. They also offer their private beach for weddings and events. Doğanköy Church If you’re looking for a quaint little church off the beaten track for your wedding in North Cyprus, Dogankoy Church could be perfect for you. Doğanköy is a small village located to the south east of Kyrenia. The church is one of the oldest buildings in the area and was recently restored to make it a really attractive wedding venue, away from the hustle and bustle of the town. The cool whitewashed walls inside the church make it very welcoming on a warm day, so you can share an intimate wedding ceremony under the white stone arches, surrounded by beautiful flowers and your close friends and family. Bellapais Abbey If you want a stunning historical backdrop for your ceremony then Bellapais Abbey is perfect. You can’t overstate how romantic it is to have a wedding surrounded by the arches of a 13th century abbey, with a backdrop of rugged mountains and spectacular views down to the Mediterranean. The Bellapais Monastery is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Europe, and almost certainly the most famous of all North Cyprus’ architectural treasures. The Monastery remains in a wonderful state of preservation, providing a haven of peace and tranquillity for your wedding. The nearby Kybele restaurant can cater for post-wedding celebrations, with great food for formal dining, or a drinks reception in the beautiful gardens. Alternatively, there are plenty of options in Bellapais Monastery Village for your wedding reception or accommodation for your guests. Bellapais Monastery Village Perfect for couples looking to marry in a peaceful, luxury retreat . The hotel is located at the foot of the Five Finger Mountain range, with panoramic views down over Kyrenia town and harbour. It’s just a short uphill walk from Bellapais Village and Bellapais Abbey. The hotel accommodates 130 guests in villas, rooms and luxury suites. There’s a rooftop restaurant for your wedding breakfast, a tranquil garden for reception drinks and space for live entertainment, making it perfect for the entire wedding party. Ambiance If you dream of a wedding by the sea , you’ll fall in love with Ambiance as a venue. The decking that stretches out over the water makes it a truly unparalleled wedding venue with one of the best beach front locations in North Cyprus. During the day there’s a pool area with sun loungers, but the evenings take on a whole new look, with sophisticated dining for you and your guests. As the sun sets over the Mediterranean you can dance by the sea and party late into the night to your own choice of music and the sound of the sea lapping against the rocks. ng well looked after. Karpaz Palm Beach Hotel The Palm Beach Hotel in Famagusta is a small boutique hotel offering 5-star luxury and a magnificent private golden beach. Weddings are held on the private sandy beach, pool area and decking area. Shayna Beach Club The perfect venue for an affordable beach wedding . Located right by the sea, with a private beach that can accommodate up to 500 people and a restaurant with a capacity of 120, everything you need is on site. The restaurant specialises in traditional Turkish or fresh fish meze, which are perfect for guests to sample local delicacies. There’s plenty of boutique hotels and luxury five-star facilities nearby. Five Mile Ideal for a fairy tale beach wedding , right on the sea front and with a backdrop of a stunning mountain range. Clean water and warm temperatures make it one of Kyrenia’s top swimming beaches as it curves round a gentle bay, fringed with trees and protected by the foothills of the Kyrenia Mountains. It’s overlooked by the restaurant of the same name, which provides all the facilities you need. They provide luxury 3 course wedding breakfasts or a cocktail party with canapés for your wedding reception, with a tailored menu. Hideaway Club Weddings at The Hideaway Club Hotel offer stunning views of both mountains and sea , all within one of North Cyprus’ top boutique hotels. Just three miles from Kyrenia, The Hideaway Club sits in the foothills of the mountain range, flanked by the majestic St Hilarion Castle. You and your guests can take in views of Kyrenia and the Mediterranean coastline from beside the pool. Ambellia Village Resting 1000 feet above sea level in the Five Finger Mountains, you’ll struggle to find a wedding venue with better views . Every balcony and patio offers panoramic views of the coastline and the town of Kyrenia. With the sea in front of you, the mountains as the backdrop and Bellapais Monastery in the distance, you can be sure your guests will be wowed, and your wedding photos will be remarkable. Nature lovers enjoy springtime weddings in Northern Cyprus, when the island becomes a paradise of wild flowers and beautiful birds, and Ambellia Village is a perfect wedding venue to take it all in. The Colony Style and sophistication for your dream wedding venue means The Colony Hotel. In the heart of downtown Kyrenia, the 5* hotel reflects the grandeur and opulence of the past, blending colonial style architecture with the glory of the Ottoman era. There’s a rooftop swimming pool, a spa and a restaurant with amazing views so your guests will be sure to be wowed. You can even arrive in your very own horse drawn carriage. 94 rooms and suites, means you and all your guests can enjoy the luxury of The Colony for the whole of your wedding. Churches There are some beautiful venues to choose from if you're dreaming of a church wedding in North Cyprus. Saint Andrews Church is situated behind the magical harbour, and it’s a perfect spot to have a Christian blessing before being taken by horse and carriage to one of the luxury hotels for your wedding reception. The church was built in 1913 and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The relatively small resident congregation in Northern Cyprus is regularly joined by visitors to the island, and is extremely welcoming to new couples. Saint Elisabeth is a Catholic church located in Kyrenia. It’s close to the harbour, and provides a beautiful setting for a church blessing. Altinkaya Hotel Perfect for couples who’d like an outdoor wedding in the sun . This small, friendly hotel caters for weddings of all sizes around their beautiful pool and terrace area, with breathtaking views of the mountain range. It’s just 1km east of Kyrenia and 1.5km from Bellapais Abbey. There’s a rooftop and an indoor restaurant, so you can adapt your wedding depending on what the weather brings, and with plenty of on-site accommodation, you can relax knowing all your wedding guests are being well looked after. Top Useful Information > Making a Will You may be surprised to know that the majority of expats in TRNC don't have a Will. Making a Will ensures all your belongings will go to who you decide. If you die intestate (i.e. without leaving a Will) your spouse won't automatically inherit your estate if there are surviving children. Under TRNC law, no Will means your spouse would get 1/6th of your estate and the remaining 5/6th would go to any surviving children . If there's no children, then other relatives will get a share. A common misconception people have is that the State automatically gets an estate if there's no Will - this isn't true . The State only becomes entitled to an estate if there's no “next of kin”. Given there are six degrees of kin, there's usually someone living to inherit, not the State. Six degrees means a Second cousin or Great Great uncle’s son, for example. If you die with no “next of kin”, you're considered to have died without heirs, and your estate will go to the State, just as it would go to the Crown in the UK under the same circumstances. Be aware, that a Will prepared outside of TRNC doesn't cover your estate here, so you do need a separate one prepared. Also, include only assets in TRNC and not ones you have in your home country; they should be kept totally separate. A lawyer will talk you through the process and establish your requirements and who you wish beneficiaries and executors to be. Normally a Will includes property, any additional immovable property, real estate, leasehold rights, movable property, all rights for monies lodged in North, all personal belongings and items that are unique to you. The wording is generally quite standard and similar to Wills prepared in other countries and will normally be written in English . You need to be of sound mind and aged over 18 to make a will. Two witnesses need to sign it in your presence then it's lodged with the Probate Registrar at the local court (this isn't legally required but is sensible practice) who will check everything is correct, that you're the person making the will, and issue you copies with an official receipt. When you die your executor applies for a Grant of Probate or Administration, which will be issued by the Probate Registry allowing them to proceed with administering your estate and carry out yo Top