Situated on the eastern coast of North Cyprus, Iskele lays midway between the ancient walled city of Famagusta and the beginning of the Karpaz peninsula with its mile upon mile of unspoilt beaches.
Famagusta
The old city of Famagusta, lying within its 1000 year old walls has a certain stillness and serenity about it. It is said that there were 365 churches within the confines of the city walls; one for each day of the year. Although most of the churches now lay in ruins you can spend a day just wandering around this outdoor museum; investigating dungeons, climbing the city walls, looking out across the harbour and exploring narrow cobbled streets where each corner you turn seems to take you further back in time.
It is thought that the original fishing village that is now Famagusta was founded around 285 BC by the Egyptian Ptolemy Philadelphus. Today, the remains of the old city date back to 1191 AD and there is still much to see from the period when Richard the Lionheart ruled the city.
Famagusta was fought over and conquered many times and continued to change hands across the centuries. Its most prosperous time was during the early part of the 14th century when its wealth became legendary through trading with Syrians, Armenians, Italians, Greeks and Jews.
“It is the richest of all cities and her citizens are the richest of men”
Rudolph von Sudhein, De Terra Sancta, 1336
History
Famagusta’s architecture has been moulted by a blend of rulers and cultures over the centuries. Here are the key stages of their influence:
Byzantine Period AD 324 -1191 Ammochostos, which means ‘buried in the sand’ in Greek, is first mentioned as a place name in the 7th century.
Early Frankish Period 1191 - 1192 Latin rule in Cyprus began in 1191 with the arrival of England’s, Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) on his way to the crusades. He sold it to the Order of the Knights Templar who, lacking funds and far outnumbered by an unruly population, gave it back in 1192.
Lusignan Kingdom 1192 - 1489 The Island of Cyprus was sold to the French Crusader Guy de Lusignan, the former King of Jerusalem. A Latin Catholic hierarchy was installed across the island and a Bishop was appointed in Famagusta. It was during this period that the surviving Christians in the East, mostly rich Noblemen, merchants, Knights and Clergy relocated en masse to Cyprus. Most of these settled in Famagusta and began the trading businesses which brought so much wealth to the area.
Genoese Occupation 1373 - 1464 A century of peace and prosperity ended with Cyprus’ war with Genoa in 1373. Famagusta was lost in battle to the Genoese although the rest of Cyprus remained under the rule of the Lusignans.
Venetian Colonial Rule 1489 - 1571 Famagusta was finally won back in 1464 by Lusignan James II but through his marriage to a Venetian, Caterina Cornaro, it passed into Venetian Rule in 1489. This marriage of convenience was intended to gain a powerful ally against the Genoese and rapidly expanding Ottoman Empire.
Ottoman Period 1571 - 1878 The Ottomans arrived in 1570 and had conquered all of Cyprus by 1571. Nicosia fell within seven weeks but Famagusta withstood a year of siege and incessant bombardment. The Venetians were rumoured to have been outnumbered by as many as twenty to one and to have endured as many as 100,000 Ottoman cannonballs. After defeat, the Venetian officers were tortured and the city sacked and looted; most of its remaining inhabitants we either slaughtered or hauled off into slavery.
The Latin church was dissolved and the Orthodox church was allowed the practice outside of the city walls; within the walls the religion was restricted to Muslim only with many churches converted into Mosques. The Ottomans build new public buildings and created communal facilities – most notably a new fresh water distribution system. In addition, many new bazaars, hammams (baths), fountains, markets and schools were built.
During this period Famagusta lost its importance as a centre of Government and commerce and was treated as a back-water by the Ottoman Rulers.
British Colonial Rule 1878 - 1960 The history of modern Cyprus begins in 1878 when the Ottomans gave Cyprus to the British in exchange for their help against the Russians in Anatolia. The island was annexed in 1914 and became a Crown Colony in 1925. Most Cypriots preferred rule under the British as it brought about important social changes, such as improved health and welfare, an increase in life expectancy and better education.
However, Britain’s principal concern and interest of the in the region was the building of the Suez Canal in Egypt. To assist this project Famagusta was pillaged for a second time and much of the ancient and medieval stone was taken and used to build the Suez Canal. Precious antiquities were also looted.
In 1960 Cyprus became an independent state.
For more information visit http://www.save-cyprusheritage.com/ (this site is not quite finished yet but it’s good because there is no advertising or sponsorship).
Salamis Ruins
A few miles up the coast from Famagusta lay the ruins of the ancient civilisation of Salamis. Excavations of the necropolis and harbour have shown that the history of Salamis goes back to the 11th century BC with its inhabitants possibly coming from Enkomi after an earthquake there in 1075 BC.
In around the 8th century BC Salamis developed into an important trading centre and this continued through into the Roman era. Following a major earthquake in around 350 AD, the Byzantine emperor Constantius II rebuilt the city and renamed it Constantia.
Due to the silting up of the harbour, more natural catastrophes and the raids of Arab pirates the city was abandoned in 648 AD and its inhabitants moved to Ammochostos, which was later to become Famagusta.
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