I have a personal travel goal every year, which is to go to at least three new countries and
record it with AU-CM10s. But this year, because of my work, I only went to one in Cyprus, but
sometimes I comforted myself by going to two. Cyprus is divided into South and North
Cyprus by a long and narrow United Nations buffer zone.
On February 19, 1959, the "Zurich London Agreement" was signed with Britain, Greece and
Turkey. One year later, the Republic of Cyprus was established. After the independence of
Cyprus, the Greek and Turkish communities did not get on well with each other, and the
religious opposition led to the constant conflict between the two sides.
After 1974, the Turkish controlled by Turkey announced the establishment of "Turkish state
of Cyprus" and "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1975 and 1983, forming the division
of Cyprus that has continued to this day.
At present, the government of Cyprus is actually under Greek control, and it is also an official
government recognized by the international community. The "Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus" is only recognized by Turkey.
Beside the ledras checkpoint, a wall painting with "peace" written on a bench
For Nicosia, the capital, Greenline divides the city into two parts, making it the only divided
capital after the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of Berlin. Although several
checkpoints have been opened since 2008, the two sides of the dividing line are quite
different.
Driving into Nicosia is not a particularly good choice, because often driving along a street,
you will encounter a dividing line and have to choose another road. There are places worth
visiting on both sides of Nicosia.
Lidra street in the old urban area is the most prosperous area in Nicosia. There are many
shops and restaurants, both local people and tourists, and the most famous checkpoint is on
this street.
From the south to the north, you need to go to the pavilion on your side to exit the customs,
and then to the other end to enter the customs. Both sides will check their passports and ask
some simple questions, but you don't need to worry about it. It's basically OK.
Previously, it was said that a single page with the northern entry seal would be given
separately, but now this step has been saved.
Once in the north, the streets and buildings are in a lot of dilapidation, and the density of
people on the road is much less. Even the first night I went in was a little late, and the bleak
scene was a little scary. However, there are more historical sites and buildings on the north
side, such as the majestic selimier mosque.
The Gothic church, originally known as St. Sophia, was built in 1209 and has been repaired
for 118 years. It was a representative orthodox church with the same name as St. Sophia's
Cathedral in Istanbul.
Unfortunately, after Ottoman occupied the city in 1570, hedestroyed all the internal orthodox
iconographic murals, sculptures and colored glass windows, and in 1954 changed his name
to selimier mosque.
Buyou Khan Hotel, formerly a place for the rest of the princes and nobles who went to the
Selimiye mosque for worship. Now it's more like a big market with lots of souvenir shops and
restaurants that look good.
Because the Buyou Khan Hotel has not been damaged, so the whole building is very
complete, you may as well come up with a cup of black tea in the middle square, quietly feel
the blend of history and modern.