{"id":3564,"date":"2018-12-21T17:09:43","date_gmt":"2018-12-21T15:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mrm-style.com\/en\/?p=3564"},"modified":"2018-12-22T20:18:35","modified_gmt":"2018-12-22T18:18:35","slug":"letters-from-cyprus-nicosia-city-of-history-and-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mrm-style.com\/en\/letters-from-cyprus-nicosia-city-of-history-and-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters from Cyprus: Nicosia, City of History and Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"

My dear adventurers, how are you today? Welcome to my new post! I’m sure you’ve managed to “get over” this work week and you can now make plans for the weekend. I decided to surprise you with a new post and today we continue with our story about Cyprus. In the previous two posts, you had the opportunity to get to know more about Larnaca and Agia Napa – LINK<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. Today I will reveal something new to you about the capital of this lovely island country. Welcome to Nicosia<\/em><\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n

Cyprus is an island, but unfortunately the capital is not located on the sea side of the island. I know, it sounds weird, but that’s it! Although this time I have no beautiful seascape for you this time, but I am sure that you will find at least 100 reasons to love this nice town that is specific for many things, and you will soon have the opportunity to see it! Before I start with today’s post I would like to say thank you to all of my friends from National Tourism Board of Cyprus<\/em><\/strong><\/a> for their support and this incredible adventure which I had on this amazing island.<\/p>\n

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When we talk about religion, the people on this island are very religious, all generations, older and younger are trying to maintain a tradition. In the main capital of Cyprus, Nicosia<\/em><\/strong><\/a> I had the opportunity to visit two important churches of \u00a0exceptional importance. The first religious building we had the opportunity to visit in Nicosia is the church of Panagia Chrysaliniotissa<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, located in the old part of the city<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The most important Byzantine church in Nicosia, the only church in the old part of the city that dates from the Middle Ages – the Byzantine period. The original appearance of the church was very simple with the simple dome, but for a certain period of time the architecture of the church was changed to the original shape of the dome to a great extent has changed. A large number of church icons and frescoes originated from this church are exhibited at the Byzantine Museum of the Archbishop of the Makarios III Foundation in Nicosia. Taking photos the interior of the church itself is forbidden, so we respected that.<\/p>\n

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Thalia, our guide, suggested us that is much better for us if we take a little walk through the old part of the city<\/em><\/strong><\/a> and see what architecture is in this part of Nicosia, she was sure it will be interesting for my blog. For all those who are not familiar with the current political situation in Cyprus, after 1974, the Republic of Cyprus was violently divided, and therefore the territory of the State of Cyprus decreased considerably. Nicosia remained the capital of the country, although divided into two parts, one belonging to the Republic of Cyprus, while the other part was occupied by Turkey. Because of the sensitivity of the topic, I didn’t ask anything, as this is equally painful for them, as is Serbian vulnerable point is Kosovo. I think it would be better to get to some brighter and more interesting funny topics!<\/p>\n

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Thalia was right, their architecture is very interesting, true Mediterranean where predominantly bright colors are used, especially white and blue shades of colors that are dominant in their culture. The first thought when we strolled at the neighbourhood was: “Where are the people?” I gently asked our guide all my inquisitive questions, she only gently laughed and assumed that I would ask her at some moment. She knocked at one door and in the Greek language explained that I was a journalist who came to Cyprus, because otherwise I could explain to a woman who was 80 years old who I really am – a Blogger. Lady was delighted and let us in her home.<\/p>\n

I learned what had been digging for me a few minutes ago, their life is taking place in a backyard owned by almost every house in Cyprus and therefore have no need to sit in front of the doors and socialize “on the street”. She introduced me with her neighbors, we got a nice and refreshing juice and cakes and we had the opportunity to see how they are actually a communicative people, regardless of the fact that I did not understand the Greek even a word, or Thalia, who is origin came from Cyprus, did not succeed in simultaneous translation, so that in me she translates a moment after the ladies were quite ready for the nice and long conversation. I did what I did best, tried to watch all the participants of the conversation in the eyes and smile, eat the cake and thank for the hospitality.<\/p>\n

The fruit cake was refreshing, I learned something new and my heart is always full when I have the opportunity to get to know the local population and feel the warmth of welcome, cordiality and small gestures that can sometimes tell a lot about their culture.<\/p>\n

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The ladies were willing to talk for a long time, but our dear Thalia explained them that we had to go because we need to visit a lot of places and that we did not have much time. We need to go, Nicosia is waiting for us! After this settled and perfect end we reach the part of Nicosia that connects the old part of the city with the new city – center. This part of the city is the great “shelter” for all those immigrants who have come from other countries and you will notice the people on the street, smiling in addition to all their everyday problems, they are trying to welcome people to their modest restaurants.<\/p>\n

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After a few minutes of walking, we arrived to another very important religious building in Nicosia –\u00a0Church of Agios Ioannis tou Theologou<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0The church is located next to the Archbishop Palace and opposite the Pancyprian Gymnasium, has a very rich collection of frescoes of the 18th and 19th centuries. The next stop is the Byzantine Museum of the \u2018Archbishop Makarios III\u2019 Foundation, located precisely next to the Cathedral. Amongst its wonderful exhibits also lie parts of the mosaic of the church of Kanakaria, which date back to the 6th century AD.<\/p>\n

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I will mention that in Cyprus are only the old Orthodox churches that were built in the new era or in the Middle Byzantine period. After the reign of the Ottoman Empire, certain religious objects were converted into religious objects of Islamic religion.<\/p>\n

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The new part of the city, the heart of the city is a small, modern bohemian quarter. Most visitors coming to Nicosia are asking for a graphite that can be seen in the picture above. The artist who painted the wall of the building in the center of Nicosia is unknown to the public, although residents say it is known who did it, but they do not want to reveal. The artist had a vision to make a remake of an old masterpiece in which the artist wanted to show the society that was in that time. An unknown street graffiti artist who designed this graffiti just wanted to illustrate today’s society in Cyprus and in the world as well.\u00a0The building was old, but now it got a new “artistic” value.<\/p>\n

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The time has come to move on, our adventure in Nicosia was short, but sweet and educational. I will remember this trip as one of the best organized trips in my blogging career. In the picture above you have the opportunity to see the monument – the Statue of Liberty that was built in honor of the victory and independence of the Republic of Cyprus. Freedom is the most valuable thing a state or individual can provide for itself. It’s time to move on before it’s getting dark! Next station: Lefkara<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sights which you should visit, when your way takes you to Nicosia:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n