Nicosia (Lefkosia)
The capital of Cyprus since the 12th century, Nicosia is situated at the heart of the Messaoria Plain. It is currently divided by the UN buffer zone that separates the Turkish-occupied north of the island and the Government-controlled south. The old city, which has many quaint and ancient shops, is defined by walls built by the Venetians. Other attractions in Nicosia include the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, the Folk Art Museum, the old and new Arch-Episcopal Palaces, St John's Cathedral, the Makarios Cultural Centre/Byzantine Museum and the Byzantine churches. At the end of May the annual International State Fair and the Nicosia Art Festival are held in Nicosia.
Excursions: Nicosia District extends westwards into the vine-covered Troodos Mountains, where there are magnificent forests and valleys, and hill resorts such as Kakopetria, and the Byzantine churches in Galata. Nine Byzantine churches in the Troodos mountains have been listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. The area offers some interesting excursions, including: the Royal Tombs and Agios Irakleidios Monastery at Tamassos; the five-dome church and the mosque in Peristerona village; the 12th-century church of Panagia Forviotissa (Asinou) near Nikitari, one of the finest examples of Byzantine art in the Middle East; the church of Stavros tou Agiasmati in Platanistassa; Agios Ioannis Lampadistis in Kalopanayiotis; the Panagia tou Araka Monastery in Lagoudera; and the Machairas Monastery near Lazanias, approximately an hour's drive into the hills southwest of Nicosia. The area has countless other old churches and monasteries, including Kykkos (see Hill Resorts) and Araka, containing impressive and well-preserved Byzantine frescoes and shrines, and also a few pagan shrines where the ancients worshipped their gods. Pitsilia District produces most of the grapes for the Commandaria wine. There are many attractive villages, such as Zoopygi, where almond and walnut trees grow, Kalokhorio and, further up, Agros, a village with a small hotel and a few holiday homes. Southwest of Nicosia, near Deftera, there is a new riding school and sports centre.
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