The Turkish name for Famagusta is Gazimagusa or Magusa and the town, located on the far East coast of Cyprus, has experienced extremes of fortune throughout its long and fascinating history.
Today visitors to Famagusta’s old town will be struck by how ramshackle and ruined it appears and yet it was once the most lavish and rich city in the Eastern Mediterranean.
To understand the Famagusta of today it is important to look into its past...in the 3rd century BC the town was founded by the Egyptians and it was indeed a town of some significance, but until the abandonment of the city kingdom of Salamis in AD648 its population was not great. It wasn’t until around 1291 that the town became particularly prosperous...following an influx of Christian refugees from the Holy Land the town benefited from the demographic lift and grew to become the most wealthy and successful city in the Eastern Mediterranean as previously mentioned. It also became an important trading centre because it benefited from a harbour with naturally deep waters.
As a result of the opulence of the city so many churches belonging to the different religions inhabiting the city sprang up across Famagusta and at one stage it was reported there were as many churches as there were days in the year! Unfortunately the city’s fortunes began to change for the worst in 1372 when it was seized by the Genoese, and they further deteriorated following the Ottoman invasion and capture in 1571.
The site that visitors behold today of a town in partial ruins with destruction and half finished buildings, broken churches and half standing houses is mainly as a result of the Ottoman siege.
Famagusta’s recent history is equally as turbulent. During the 1960s and 1970s the town was a booming tourist town; it was one of the most desirable destinations in Cyprus and in fact on the Mediterranean. It held great attraction for local Cypriots as well and it was inhabited by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Following the conflict in 1974 the town’s tourist industry was completely destroyed, the town’s beach that was the main draw for the crowds who visited the town was actually closed and the residents of the town were forced to once again rebuild their lives.
Thankfully today visitors are again making their way to this fascinating town to see the historical buildings, Venetian city walls, Othello’s Tower, ruined buildings, mosques and museums. If you do visit the town - and I thoroughly recommend you do - you will get one of the warmest welcomes in Cyprus...and you will need a whole day to fully explore the old town and really appreciate it.
Accommodation in Famagusta is limited in availability and choice, most people choose to stay at one of the lovely beach resorts just outside and travel in for a day trip. There are plenty of small cafes and restaurants in the town to offer refreshment and there are many sites and areas of interest to keep the historically and culturally focused fully engaged!