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476patriciah
We did visit a very nice modern café bar , which was very chic and we experienced a excellent Turkish coffee, sorry cannot remember the name of the café bar.
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Expectal0t
The massive walls surrounding the old town are in good condition and accessible in places, but it seems slumbering and a bit neglected. Many of the old buildings and churches are damaged with limited access, however it is a spacious town center, full of character and relaxed to walk around and explore and not crowded or busy with traffic. You can find old cannons and plies of canon balls just lying around. There is steady growth in tourists shops selling dubious designer goods - buyer beware!
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Superkatt
City of Famagusta was grounded by Ptolemeus Philadelfos in 280-250 BC and was named Arsinoe, then about 650 AD was renamed as Ammochostos, or Hidden in the Sands. The Famagusta walls we can see now were built by Venetians in 1492-1572 on older grounds of Lusignan walls, they are some 3 km in length, 18 meters as highest and some 9 meters thick, there are tunnels inside the walls, as well as stables and armouries. There are at all 13 bastions and castle of Othello incorporated in the city walls, the walls are protected by 46 meters wide ditch. The Land Gate ( Ravelin) had originally a drawbridge. There are some 15 churches can be seen inside the city walls, none is operating but is open to visiters, and a number of interesting buildings. Most interesting in my opinion are St Nicholas Cathedral - wonderful Gothic masterpiece called also Reims of Cyprus , St.Peter and St.Pauls Church, Twin Churches of Templar och Hospitaller Orders, St,George of the Latins Church, the Lusignan-Venetian Palace with a largest central square in all of contemporary Europe in front of, and the Othello Castle nearby the Sea Gate.Othello Castle is an internal citadel situated on the seaside of city walls, near the Sea Gate. It was built for protection of city harbour in 1310 and then remodelled by Venetians at 1492. There is a large marble bas-relief of Winged Lion of St.Mark of Venice over the entrance to the castle. It may or may not be a residence of Governor of Cyprus between 1505 and 1508 Lieutenant Cristoforo Moro, who character thought to be based the Shakespeares Othello-character on. Unfortunately castle is currently closed for renovation.Porta del Mare is one of the two original entrances to the Walled city of Famagusta, the second being The Land Gate. It is built in italian Renaissance style, and is very well preserved. The Gate has a wooden door, above the door arch and facing the harbour there is a large marble bas-relief of Winged Lion of St.Mark of Venice. Beside the gate is possible to see a big stone sculpture of laying Lion, the guard of the Gate.The area of Walled city is not very large, and can be explored in one day time.See pictures attached.
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Alex_Devonian
This beautiful old walled city, full of ruins and repurposed buildings, is also a working town. The port is right outside the gate (Sea Gate). You climb onto the Venetian walls and ramparts from several different points and this is where the best views are. There are also a few shops and restaurants in the narrow streets and squares. Simply wander round and explore. Some of my best holiday photos came from Famagusta. I will return!
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OscarM967
I liked everything, so it's simpler to say what I disliked. Many monuments and all inner structures of ancient walls are closed to public. Maintenance and cleanliness are inadequate. Frescos in churches are unprotected and disappearing. The level of tourist guides is poor, therefore you need to study in advance Famagusta's history and beauties if you want to understand how can a French gothic architecture have flourished in the middle east. Read carefully in advance "In a contested realm" by Allan Langdale and see his film "The stones of Famagusta"
