A day trip to the heart of lacework LEFKARA VILLAGE and NICOSIA

We'll start the day by driving to Pano Lefkara. The village is located 700 metre above the sea level on the foothill of Troodos mountains. It is famous with its silver wear and the lace work which is called'Lefkaridi'. Leonordo da Vinci ordered an altar cloth to the Cathedral of Milan in 1481 from this village and they have the design named after him. Many houses in the village have been restored recently. The narrow roads with beautiful balconies and door frames are just beautiful to walk around. You will see local shops and each of them selling the lace work or the silverwear while you inspire in the beautiful village.

We drive to Nicosia. Our first stop in the capital will be the Paphıs Gate in the walled city. This gate is one of the three gates which was built during the Lusignan period. Ottoman Sultan has added his signature on the gate. After we park our car we start to walk in the walled city of Nicosia to the Ledra Street crossing point.

It is the biggest of 18 Kervansarays that was built in 1572. The word 'Han' means 'Inn' a place for the travelling merchants whom they were travelling withtheir camels or mulls. There is a mescit a praying place and a cistern in the centre of the building. It was used as a prison during the British period and in 1893 was used as a hostel for the families in need. After the restoration it has became one of the popular attraction for the touristis, locals with its handcraft shops, local coffee shop and a restaurant which you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere.

The pillar was brought to Nicosia from Salamis Ruins of Famagusta during the Venetian Period. There was the symbol of the Venetians which was the St. mark Lion on top of the pillar. When Ottomans came they took it out from its place and transfer it into the garden of a Mosque. During the British period they brought it back to its original place and replaced a globe on top of the pillar. Which is the symbol of the British.'The sun never sets on British Empire'.

It was constructed by the Lusignan King Henry I in 1209 and it took 150 years to complete the building.Lusignan princes were crowned as Kings of Cyprus in this Cathedral of St. Sophia. In 1570 when Ottomans took over the island they added a minaret and converted into a mosque. It was known as Ayosofya until 1954 and after the name was changed to Selimiye Camii.

Its originally 6th century Byzantine church. Later on the 14th century Roman Catholic St. Nicholas church was made ontop of it. During the Ottoman period the building had served as a grain store and also as a market which meant Bedesten. This was where they sold cloth and jewellrey.