Selimiye - Bedesten - Caravanserai

Friday, 23 February 2024 00:00
Written by Portal Editor

The Selimiye Mosque is one of the most important mosques in Northern Cyprus, as almost all of the major Muslim festivals on the calendar are celebrated in it.

By the way, the Selimiye Mosque is one of the most outstanding examples of Gothic architecture on the island. Gothic architecture and Muslim Mosque?

Cathedral of St. Sophia

The building was previously called the Cathedral of St. Sophia and was built in the 13th century. It was only in 1976 that it was discovered that there are other building remains below the cathedral that go back to buildings of older origins.

As is often the case, only the foundations and perhaps some of the building materials were used to build the cathedral.

Many Lusignan dignitaries and kings are buried below St. Sophia. And despite, or perhaps because of, the many earthquakes in the region, it is very surprising that this huge building is still in good condition.

Here it is probably above all the very strong and yet slim static construction of the cross ribs that give this long building its stability. As a visitor, you should definitely take a look at the window constructions with the richly decorated Gothic elements. Beautifully designed and excellent in design.

Later during the Ottoman period, two minarets were added on either side of the main entrance and the interior walls were “whitewashed”. Of course, this was only at the expense of the previously rich ceiling and wall frescoes, but it was only this that created the special impression of a very airy large space, as it still exists today.

Bedesten and Caravanserai

The Byzantine Church of St. Nicholas was built in the 12th century. The Lusignans later added Gothic elements to the building. The Venetians also changed some details of the church before handing it over to the Greek Orthodox Association. Then, during the Ottoman period, this church served as a warehouse and also a sales area for textiles. Over time, the function changed several times until it finally came to the current task. It is also noteworthy that the stone work on the north side of the church is almost a copy of the entrance side of the Cathedral of St. Sophia, so similar are the two versions.

The big restaurant

The building of the “Big Restaurant” can be traced back to the 16th century. Originally built as a dining house for the city's residents and of course traveling salesmen, it once had 67 rooms that were available to guests. Today the artfully restored building on Asmalti Street is one of the city's attractions with countless galleries, cabarets and some beautiful restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy original Turkish-Cypriot dishes. Several times a year, the historic building also forms the stage for plays, concerts or other festivities.