Cities and Sights of North Cyprus - Güzelyurt

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Güzelyurt is a busy market town at the heart of citrus production on Cyprus. There are few amenities for the tourist, the usual cafés and restaurants.

The area was more prosperous and important when copper mining was still operating, however, since the partition the mines have ceased to function, lying in a military area. 

Güzelyurt has been settled since Neolithic times.  

The Archaeological and Natural History Museum and The St Mamas Monastery in the west of town near the new mosque. The monastery was originally built in Byzantine times, with later gothic additions. Icons rescued from around the area are stored here. 

Train spotters may wish to catch the Baldwin locomotive parked to the north-east of the town - a relic from the British built railway that ran from Güzelyurt to Famagusta.

To the south-west of Güzelyurt is the town of Lefke and the redundant copper ore port of Gemikonagi. Gemikonagi does have some tourist amenities with restaurants and bars. 

To the west of Lefke is the ancient ruined town of Soli. In existence from about 700 BC Soli was the main city for copper on Cyprus, it was inhabited until Roman times but by 400AD the harbour had silted up. Arab raids in the 6th and 7th century finished the destruction of the city. The Basilica and the Roman theatre are worth a look. 

Three and a half kilometres further west is the prominent Palace of Vouni, Built about 500BC the palace was erected by the king of Marion as a stronghold and lookout point for the city of Soli. Later added to by the Greeks, the palace was destroyed in about 400BC by the Persians.        

Lefkosha (Nicosia)    Famagusta    Girne (Kyrenia)

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