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.