Lusignan House

Once a home in the Lusignan period (14th century), Lusignan House has been lovingly restored as a self-catering guesthouse, blending modern comfort and historic features to provide a comfortable and relaxing stay in the heart of the historic walled city of Famagusta.

Templar House

Templar House is an elegantly-restored town house only minutes away from the main historic square of Famagusta. Cosy and fully equipped with all necessary facilities, this self-contained guesthouse is within walking distance of the major historic sights.

Blue Levant

Our Blue House is located on a historical street in the center of the 2300 year-old Old City in Famagusta. The house is 2 minutes walking distance away from all of the historical buildings, entertainment and the shopping area.

With its thousands of years of history, Famagusta is one of the rare examples that has survived from the Middle Ages to the present day, perhaps taking you back to those ancient times with its structures and works. Since the settlement began in Famagusta 2,300 years ago, buildings suitable for every period and age still stand tall today. Walking among them will surely evoke various emotions and transport you through a time tunnel to the past.

In 285 BC, King Philadelphus named what is now Famagusta after his sister and wife, calling it "Arsinoe," a name he also gave to two other cities in Cyprus. Famagusta continued to be referred to by its founder's name until the Lusignan period.

Throughout its history, Famagusta has seen the passage of Byzantines, Latins, Greeks, Nestorians, Maronites, Syrians, Lusignans, Genoese, Venetians, Ottomans, Turks, British, and many others, adopting numerous different names in the process.

After Arsinoe, it became "Ammohostos," meaning "buried in sand," during the Byzantine period. The Franks may have drawn inspiration from its previous name when they referred to it as "Famagusta" or "Famagosta."

In the 1500s, more than eleven different languages (Latin, Italian, English, Armenian, Syriac, Maronite, Macedonian, Albanian, Greek, Ivory Coast, Ancient Egyptian, and other Egyptian and Indic languages) were spoken here, and more than ten thousand people from various races and civilizations lived in the city.

In 1571, the Ottomans purged the city of all non-Muslims, and after a major earthquake in 1735, it completely lost its multicultural character. By the mid-1800s, the population had dwindled to about three hundred. Many buildings fell into ruin, and the people became impoverished, unable to afford meat, struggling with diseases such as malaria and trachoma.

Our "Hidden in the Sand" city became one of the important exile cities alongside Akka in the Palestinian region during these years. Indeed, this city, built from sandstone, still suffers from sandstorms...

Famous exiles came here, including thieves, murderers, and poets. Namık Kemal spent three years in Famagusta, referring to it as "Magosa." Although the people of Famagusta did not adopt the name "Magosa," it gained acceptance in Turkey.

In 1878, the Ottoman administration leased the island to the British along with the local population, meaning us. In return, England agreed to pay the Ottoman government twenty-two thousand nine hundred thirty-six (22,936) piasters, which amounts to ninety-two thousand seven hundred ninety-nine (92,799) pounds, eleven (11) shillings, and three (3) pence annually.

After this date, non-Muslims were allowed to enter the city again, and it began to revive. The port was expanded and improved by the British Colonial Administration. With the establishment of railways in 1905, Famagusta became a significant port city for exports and imports, turning into a center of attraction for the region, which led to a gradual increase in the population inside the walls.

In 1955, following the incitement of tensions between the two communities on the island, Famagusta closed its doors to non-Muslims for the second time, and many Greek Cypriots living in the walled city were expelled. They returned to the places they had fled centuries earlier, namely Maraş. This new Famagusta, which they transformed into a paradise and named Maraş (Varosha), became a center of attraction for tens of thousands of tourists each year, while we continued to live in the walled city.

Afterward, in 1974, Maraş was abandoned, and Famagusta's inner city lost its population to the streets outside the fortress. With the evacuation of Maraş, the part of the city where it met the sea and coast became a ghost town, leaving the city like a one-winged bird.

Yet, despite everything, the mystery of the walled city has been preserved for centuries. It is still possible to touch the magnificent structures built centuries ago, to delve into the past, to journey back in time, and to lose oneself in history.

Dr. Okan Dağlı