HISTORY OF FAMAGUSTA
The town of Famagusta was built on the ruins of the ancient city of Arsenoe which itself was built to replace the city of Salamis after its sacking by Arab raiders in 648 A.D. and grew into a small fishing port.
In 1921, after the fall of Acre, Crusaders began to settle in the town bringing with them the vast wealth they had accumulated in their conquests in the Holy Lands, creating, in Famagusta, the richest city in the Eastern Mediterranean. To proclaim the superiority of Christianity and to appease God of their sins, the inhabitants built churches all over the city. At one time there were 365 churches in Famagusta - one for every day of the year. Later conflicts between the Venetians and the Genoese in the city, coupled with the increasing amount of resources and energy being channelled into defence in fear of an Ottoman invasion, seriously hampered trade and further development of the city.
In 1571 the Ottomans took the city and Famagusta, no longer having strategic or economic importance, reverted to the insignificant port town - that it had been before.
During British rule much of the architectural heritage of Famagusta was lost when stone was taken from many historical sites to build the Suez Canal.
Ancient City of Alasia (Enkomi)
Famagusta City Walls
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque
The Cathedral Sycamore Fig Tree
Salamis Ruins
Sinan Pasha Mosque
Othello Castle
Royal Tombs and Museum
St. Barnabas Monastery
Enkomi Ruins
St. George of the Greeks
St. George of the Latins
Canbulat Tomb and Museum
Namik Kemal Dungeon and Museum
Kertikli Bath
The Panaya Kanakaria Church
The Twin Churches (of Templars and Hospitallers)
The Akkule Mosque (Ravelin)
St. Andrew's Monastery
Palazzo de Provvedittorre
Icon Museum
Kantara Castle
Ayios Yuanais Church