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The capital of the Lusignan Kingdom
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The capital of the Lusignan Kingdom
Guy de Lusignan, King of Jerusalem, bought Cyprus from the Templars and brought many noble men and other adventurers from France, Jerusalem, Tripoli, the principality of Antioch and Kingdom of Armenia to the island. Guy shared the land he had bought among them and Nicosia became capital of their kingdom. He imposed a harsh feudal system and the vast majority of Cypriots were reduced to the status of serfs.
“Nicosia is also a very old city in the centre of the island’s valley, in a very good climate … there is plenty of water and fertile land… and when the Lusignans became kings, Nicosia became the capital of the entire Kingdom. Due to the destruction and desertation of Salamis, Famagusta, the Archbishop obtained the Pope's permission to move to Nicosia. Thus Nicosia became established as the capital of the Kingdom. It had a perimeter of three leagues or nine miles, and was adorned with beautiful, large buildings, amongst which were palaces, churches and the old castle, which had been built, by the dukes during the time of Constantine the Great. Evidence of this lies in the fact that every time a building is constructed in this city, sections of walls are discovered in many areas, as well as numerous objects and medallions bearing the emblem of Constantine the Great and that of his mother, Sainte Helen.”
Etienne de Lusignan, Chorograffia, Bologna, 1573 AD.
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Nicosia Today
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Ancient Nicosia
The Kingdom of Ledra
Nicosia from antiquity to the present
Richard the Lionheart and the Knights Templar
The capital of the Lusignan Kingdom
The fortifications during the Lusignan period: 1192-1489 AD
Caterina Cornaro: The last Queen of Cyprus
The Venetian administration and the new fortifications
The new fortifications by Julio Savorgnano
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Nicosia during the Ottoman period
Nicosia seen by travelers
The Archduke of Austria Louis Salvator and Nicosia
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The city of Horatio Herbert Kitchener
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Nicosia, capital of the Republic of Cyprus
Nicosia 1963
Nicosia 1974
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