lala mustafa pasha mosque

ISIKHA

Built around 1300 AD, under the name of St. Nicholas cathedral, magnificently constructed in early gothic architecture style, turned into a mosque after 1571. Notice the 700 years old fig tree (Ficus Sycomorus) which was planted while the building was in construction, towards the left side when you face the building.

904meisamm

Very nice and I recomend it absolutly, after your visiting you can go to sea side by walk after 15 minIn the near street that has way to seaside is many nice and friendly cafe

fethif2014

Most beautiful attraction of Cyprus. Now a mosque, this cathedral is a huge one. it show how religion was important in cyprus, as much as how rich cyprus was. there is a special fig tree next to it, dont miss it.

Travelerfagan

I have visited Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque with group tourist from Turkey. Tour itself was very informative. Guide almost stated every single detail about the building. Though (sadly) building now is a mosque but it still keeps its incredible beautiful gothic style. I'd say mosque is preserved very well. There is not any entrance but however if you wish you can donate the mosque. It is a must see attraction in the region. Highly recommended.

OscarM967

I prefer to call it Cattedrale di San Nicola. Try to have an evening drink in the bar-restaurant just across the square. When night comes, the cathedral's façade glitters in dark as a marble lace.

Superkatt

This Cathedral was built in Rayonnant Gothic styla by frankish kings of Cyprus in1326 in their city Ammochostos/ Famagusta. The resemblance with Cathedral in Reims is notisable, and Cathedral is known as "The Reims of Cyprus". The Cathedral was extremely important Cathedral in Cyprus, the Lusignan dynasty kings of Cyprus were crowned here as Kings of Jerusalem. Cathedral was converted into mosque after 1571, and city renamed to Magusa.Cathedral is open for visitors, but you need to take off your shoes, so wear socks.

djpend

In the centre of the city, built to resemble Rheims Catholic Cathederal and dedicated to St Nicholas. It was converted into a mosque when the Ottomans captured Famagusta in 1471. You can visit (shoes off and fespectable clothing) when prayers are not taking place. Without Christian decaration the interior is spacious, but it is the exterior which makes it worth a visit.

lancashirescott

I just loved the Old Town in Famagusta, there is easily a day spent wandering around and taking in all the history of the place. You cant really miss the Cathedral which is now a mosque, it dates back to the 14th Century and has taken a few knocks from the Turks and also earthquakes.But it is still in good condition and looks like a place of beauty, there is an ancient fig tree which apparently was their when the Cathedral was built approx 750 years ago, its like most of the old town in that it is in a quiet setting where people just mill around and soak up the sun.The inside is not what you would expect, gone are all the christian ornaments, memorials and relics replaced by a simple but still impressive interior. How could you not be in awe of a building with so much history.

MuhammadDudha

An old Gothic church that was converted into a mosque, allows the visitors to merge both civilizations together. The interior is not as spectacular as the exterior is with its Gothic design and architecture. The mosque itself is simple but worth seeing the grand space and interior designs. One more interesting site within the mosque is the so called grave of a saint, as shown in the pictures posted.

Flo413

This was not worth going to see. It is quite bare inside, very disappointing. The tree, on the outside is more impressive, having been planted in 1299.

E4869FEmartinb

Such WOW! The gothic cathedral rebuild to mosque. Great architecture piece of Cyprus history, you should visit it!

Lovetotraveldubai

The exterior is that of a church with a minaret. Interesting but nothing special. I would recommend going there as it is in the square where there are other old buildings. Famagusta is interesting especially the old city walls.

SlavO_11

Gazimagusa (Famagusta), the second largest city in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). In the old „walled city“ We can see and visit a lot of medieval buildings (or their rests) in the old “walled city”, mostly in the gothic or byzantine style, some of them later adapted as mosques (since 1571 was Cyprus under the control of Ottomans) .The prominent building and main attraction is The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque former Latin cathedral of St. Nicholas. Building of this church in gothic style started around 1300. Lusignan kings were crowned here to kings of Jerusalem for some period. Inside also were buried some important people, besides other last two Lusignan kings or bishops. Its two bell towers were damaged during the Ottoman siege (1570-71). The Ottoman leader Lala Mustafa remodelled the church into the mosque, i.e. destroyed all Latin interior (alters, statues, gravestones, pictures) and substituted it by usual equipment of mosque. Also minaret was affixed to one bell tower. Visiting of the mosque is free (without shoes).In front of the mosque is the fig tree, supposedly old as the building.

trisha1973

2nd time i have been here and not impressed as the first time. i went here 3 years ago and was able to walk all around the whole of the mosque, this time before i walked inside i was asked for a donation to enter and half of the mosque was roped off. it is beautiful from the outside.

YorkshireGypsygirl

Like many mosques in the Eastern Med, this was once a church. It's interesting to observe what gets altered when a building changes its religious alliegance. Within, the mosque is not particularly fascinating, but the outside is nice, and it sits in one of the few pleasant parts of Famagusta.