After travelling for almost two full days and halfway around the world, we finally got to enjoy our first full day here in Cyprus. Today was full of learning about the history of Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. We started at the center of the city in a place called “Freedom Square.” It was a mix of new and old architecture, surrounded by the old and new parts of the city. We then went on a walking tour of the new city and saw various skyscrapers that made up the city skyline. We ended the tour by walking along the Venetian Walls surrounding the old city that were built in the 16th century. They were built to protect the city and have stayed intact for hundreds of years.

Later in the day, we received a tour of the old city. We walked along cobblestone streets and saw many different buildings and churches and learned about the architecture of the houses. On many of the houses there were lots of small windows that had bars across them and balconies that were closed off so you could not see who was sitting on them. We learned that this style of architecture was common during the time the Ottomans ruled over the city. This style was used because the Ottomans were ruthless rulers, and the city was not very safe. We also saw buildings with beautiful balconies and large windows covered with wooden shutters. This style of architecture was used during the time the British ruled over the city. The people of Nicosia changed their style of architecture because the city became safer to live in under British rule.

Lastly, we ended the day at a traditional Cyprian restaurant. There we enjoyed lots of Greek food, which included pita bread and tzatziki, fried halloumi, shish kabobs, and homemade Greek yogurt. It was all very delicious. Overall, our first full day in Cyprus was a success.