Day 01
Famagusta, Kantara Castle, Salamis and St. Barnabas
- The tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation. Begin with the famous "ghost city" of Famagusta. This is a place no one ever forgets, no matter how many years have passed since the Turkish invasion and the town's abandonment.
- Stop at Othello's Castle, originally built as a moated citadel to protect Famagusta's harbour and serving as the town's main entrance. When the Venetians arrived, they greatly strengthened the town's defences, incorporating the citadel into the main town walls.
- Head to Kantara Castle, one of the three most important castles built on the Pentadaktylos Mountain range. Like the castles of Agiou Ilarionos and Voufavento, Kantara Castle was built during the Byzantine era, after Cyprus's freedom in 965 A.D., following the Arab raids.
- Visit St. Nicholas' Cathedral, now the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, which began in 1298 and was consecrated in 1326. Several royals were buried here, including James II the Bastard and his infant son James III, the last two Lusignan rulers, in 1473 and 1474. This building is a rare example of pure Gothic architecture.
- Finish the excursion at the ancient city of Salamis and the monastery of St. Barnabas. The St. Barnabas Monastery and Icon Museum is situated close to the Royal Tombs between Tuzla and Salamis. The monastery is significant to the Orthodox Church and is considered a place of pilgrimage.
- The tour guide will drop you off at your accommodation.
