On the eastern coast of Cyprus lies Famagusta, a city steeped in history and legend. Once a thriving Byzantine settlement, it rose to prominence in the Middle Ages as one of the Mediterranean’s most important ports. Merchants from across Europe and the East filled its bustling markets, while wealthy citizens left behind an extraordinary legacy of churches and fortifications, earning it the name “City of Churches.”

During the Venetian and later Ottoman periods, Famagusta became a melting pot of cultures, reflected in its architecture — from Gothic cathedrals transformed into mosques to mighty Venetian walls that still encircle the old town. The city flourished again under British rule, expanding into a modern hub with its famous Varosha resort district.

The events of 1974 changed its course, leaving Varosha abandoned and frozen in time, yet the historic walled city remains a vibrant reminder of Cyprus’s layered past. Walking through its gates today, visitors encounter the grandeur of medieval towers, the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, and the legendary Othello’s Castle — monuments to centuries of triumph, struggle, and survival.

Famagusta continues to embody both resilience and hope. It is a city where history whispers at every corner, and where the promise of renewal lingers alongside memories of the past.