You can hire a car during your holiday in Cyprus and visit a number of places near Famagusta. You will find that ancient history is well-preserved in Famagusta. There are a number of important ancient sites in Famagusta. You will get a glimpse of the ruins of the medieval cities in this place. Although nothing much has been known about this ancient city, historians believe that the first settlements started here in 3rd century BC. It was during the Crusades that the city became famous as an important center of commerce.

This was connected with other major trade routes of Eastern Mediterranean region. The city of Famagusta is surrounded by walls which were built in 12the century. It was the Lusignan family who built these defensive walls around the city. When the Venetians came to power they made the walls stronger. Portions of the walls are 18 meters high and almost 9 meters thick. The iron-covered gate to Porta del Mare retains its original structure. The winged Lion of Venice sits proudly at the Porta del Mare. Among the numerous buildings and structures, one can mention the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque. If you are planning a holiday in Cyprus, you should not miss the grand structure which is a brilliant example of architectural brilliance.

It was built in the 14th century. Initially it was known as the Cathedral of St Nicholas, but later during the rule of the Ottomans the church was converted to a mosque. A number of travelers have noticed a striking resemblance of the mosque with the cathedrals in France. Many important French families have part a significant role in shaping the history and culture of the place. It is obvious that there will be influence in the architecture of the buildings. An art lover will discover many such marvels during the holiday in Cyprus. You can just steal a glimpse of the city of Varosha which is considered as a forbidden city through the wired fences.

One can find a number of hotels which offered excellent accommodations during the 1970's. But it was a thing of the past. This area was fenced by the Turkish army. And even today only the personnel of United Nations and Turkish military officials can enter the premises of the Forbidden City. You will be surprised to note that many of the restaurants and dining halls look exactly the same as they used to before 34 years. When you are on a holiday in Cyprus, you can not only visit the city of Famagusta, but also some of the remote sites. You will be delighted to discover the ruins of Salamis which have been excavated. There is a Greek theatre, classical monuments and Roman structures. All of them come straight from the pages of history. Those who are interested to know more about Cyprus will be glad to browse through the internet.