The town of Famagusta was built on the ruins of the ancient city of Arsenoe which itself was built to replace the city of Salamis after its sacking by Arab raiders in 648 A.D. and grew into a small fishing port.

In 1921, after the fall of Acre, Crusaders began to settle in the town bringing with them the vast wealth they had accumulated in their conquests in the Holy Lands, creating, in Famagusta, the richest city in the Eastern Mediterranean. To proclaim the superiority of Christianity and to appease God of their sins, the inhabitants built churches all over the city. At one time there were 365 churches in Famagusta – one for every day of the year. Later conflicts between the Venetians and the Genoese in the city, coupled with the increasing amount of resources and energy being channelled into defence in fear of an Ottoman invasion, seriously hampered trade and further development of the city.

In 1571 the Ottomans took the city and Famagusta, no longer having strategic or economic importance, reverted to the insignificant port town – that it had been before.

During British rule much of the architectural heritage of Famagusta was lost when stone was taken from many historical sites to build the Suez Canal.

Places To Visit In Famagusta:The Kertikli Bath
St Barnabas Monastery
The Panaya Kanakaria Church
The Twin Churches
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque
Salamis Ruins
Church of St George of the Latins
Othello Castle
Namik Kemal Dungeon and Museum
Ravelin
Famagusta City Walls
Canbulat Tomb and Museum
Sinan Pasha Mosque
Ancient City of Alasia Enkomi
The Cathedral Sycamore Fig Tree
Royal Tombs and Museum
Enkomi Ruins Alasia
St George of the Greeks