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Venetian Walls of Nicosia

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Landmark
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Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)

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The Venetian walls of Nicosia are among the best-preserved Renaissance fortifications in the Eastern Mediterranean, continuing to define the layout of the Cypriot capital today. Built between 1567 and 1570 under the direction of the Italian military engineer Giulio Savorgnano, they were designed to defend the city against the impending Ottoman invasion. The walls feature a circular structure with a circumference of approximately 4.5 kilometers and are characterized by eleven heart-shaped bastions, each named after prominent Venetian aristocratic families. Despite their monumental scale and innovative design, the fortifications failed to prevent the city's fall to the Ottomans in 1570, as construction was not yet fully complete when the siege began. The walls consist of massive earthworks faced with precisely cut stone blocks and were originally surrounded by a wide defensive moat, which is now largely dry and serves as public parkland. Over the centuries, the bastions have been repurposed for various uses; today, they host parks, sports facilities, and cultural centers. As a central symbol of Nicosia, the walls mark the boundary between the historic old city and the modern districts, standing as a testament to Cyprus's strategic importance during the early modern era.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C141416192327303028242016
Rain mm7242231392116153071

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Venetian Walls surround the old town of Nicosia and are mostly freely accessible. You can walk on parts of the walls.
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Typical hours
The walls are visible from outside at any time and accessible along paths. The gates and bastions are typically open during the day.
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Photography
Photograph the walls from a distance to capture their impressive star shape. From the d'Avila bastion you have a great view.
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Time needed
A walk along the walls takes about one hour. Allow extra time to visit the bastions and green spaces.
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Combine with
Combine the wall visit with a walk through Nicosia's historic old town. Ledra Street and Faneromeni Church are particularly worthwhile.
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Getting there
The walls surround the old town, so they are within walking distance from anywhere in the city center. Parking garages are located at the edge of the old town.
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Insider tip
Take a walk along the walls in the evening - the lighting is particularly atmospheric then. The Liberty Monument bastion gives a nice viewpoint.

Geography

Coordinates
35.17280, 33.36010

Facts

  • The walls were constructed by the Venetians between 1567 and 1570.
  • The total circumference of the circular fortifications is about 4.5 km.
  • The system features eleven heart-shaped bastions for defense.
  • The city originally had three main gates: Famagusta, Paphos, and Kyrenia.
  • The design was created by the Italian military engineer Giulio Savorgnano.
  • The walls did not prevent the Ottoman conquest of the city in 1570.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Leventis Municipal MuseumLeventis Municipal Museum<1 km · NWExplore →
Pedieos ValleyPedieos Valley2 km · WExplore →
Kassianes HillKassianes Hill2 km · SWExplore →
KaimakliKaimakli4 km · NExplore →
Charalambides Christis DairyCharalambides Christis Dairy5 km · SWExplore →
Papafilippou Luna ParkPapafilippou Luna Park5 km · SWExplore →
Extreme ParkExtreme Park6 km · SExplore →
LatsiaLatsia6 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Venetian Walls of Nicosia (9)

Fairy Tale Museum🏛 museum

Museum promoting cultural heritage of fairy tales, legends and myths from Cyprus and worldwide.

🕒 Sa 10:00-14:00; Su-Fr,PH Off💶

Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum🏛 museum

Private collection of historic motorcycles from Cyprus, started in 1980 by Andreas Nicolaou.

🕒 Mo-Fr 10:00-17:30; Sa 10:00-13:00; Su,PH Off💶

Eleventh stage

Viewpoint in Nicosia, Cyprus.

🕒 Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00💶

Shacolas Observatory🏛 museum

Museum in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Church of Saint Eleftherios. A dependency of the Holy Monastery of Machaira

Built by Archbishop Kyprianos in 1806, dedicated to Agios Eleftherios.

Peace

Monument in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Our Lady Of Graces

Cathedral in the Republic of Cyprus.

Faneroumeni Church

One of the largest churches in the capital, built in 1872. Marble mausoleum to the east holds relics of executed bishops.

Pallas cinema-theatre

Cinema and theatre in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How long is the perimeter of the walls?
The circular walls have a perimeter of about 4.5 kilometers.
How many bastions do the walls have?
There are a total of 11 heart-shaped bastions.
Can you walk on the walls?
Partially yes; many sections are now parks or public spaces.
How many gates lead into the old town?
There are three original gates: Famagusta Gate, Paphos Gate, and Kyrenia Gate.
When were the walls built?
They were built by the Venetians between 1567 and 1570 for protection against the Ottomans.
Venetian Walls of Nicosia: where is it located?
Venetian Walls of Nicosia is located in Cyprus.
Venetian Walls of Nicosia: what is there to see?
Highlights include Fairy Tale Museum, Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum, Eleventh stage.
Venetian Walls of Nicosia: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Nov.
Venetian Walls of Nicosia: why is it worth visiting?
The Venetian walls of Nicosia are among the best-preserved Renaissance fortifications in the Eastern Mediterranean, continuing to define the layout of the Cypriot capital today.
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Latsia is a suburb in the southeast of Nicosia.
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Agioi Trimithias
Agioi Trimithias is a municipality west of Nicosia.
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Livera — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
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Livera is an idyllic coastal village in the northwest of Cyprus.
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Orga
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History & landmarks

Lefkara — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Lefkara
A world-famous village for traditional lace and silverwork, with architecture defined by its namesake white limestone.
Frourio Castle — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Frourio Castle
Remains of a defensive structure near Nicosia that is historically significant.
Paphos Gate — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Paphos Gate
One of the three historical city gates in the Venetian fortifications of the capital Nicosia.
Omerye Mosque — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Omerye Mosque
The mosque in Nicosia was built on the remains of a 14th-century Augustinian monastery.
Famagusta Gate — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Famagusta Gate
One of the three historical entrance gates of the Venetian fortifications of Nicosia.
Alaas Mosque — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Alaas Mosque
This mosque is located in the district of Nicosia.

Nature

Pedieos River — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Pedieos River
The longest river in Cyprus, flowing from the Troodos Mountains through Nicosia.

More places

Leventis Municipal Museum — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Leventis Municipal Museum
The museum documents the history of Nicosia from antiquity to the present day.
Panagia Phaneromeni Church — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Panagia Phaneromeni Church
A significant church within the walls of Nicosia.
Solomou Square Central Bus Station — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Solomou Square Central Bus Station
The main hub for intercity and urban bus services in Nicosia, a key public transport node.
Dervish Pasha Mansion — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Dervish Pasha Mansion
A well-preserved example of Ottoman architecture in Nicosia.
Agios Ioannis Cathedral — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Agios Ioannis Cathedral
The main cathedral of the Cypriot Orthodox Church in Nicosia.
Byzantine Museum — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Byzantine Museum
This museum in Nicosia houses one of the world's largest collections of Byzantine icons.
Archbishop&#39;s Palace — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Archbishop's Palace
The official seat of the Archbishop of the Autocephalous Church of Cyprus in Nicosia.
Makarios Cultural Foundation — Venetian Walls of Nicosia (Cyprus)
Makarios Cultural Foundation
This institution in Nicosia houses significant art collections and historical documents of Cyprus.