Gazi Mağusa Aslani, or the Lion of Famagusta, is the lost city in Cyprus. Famagusta was originally among the totality of Cyprus, but after the Ottoman Empire’s control and the 1974 Turkey invasion of Cyprus, and changed much of this lost city. Among many changes in the city, the most influential changes were to churches and the abandoned city. Luckily, we were able to see these dramatic changes in person.

The largest medieval building in Famagusta, Cyprus is the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque. This mosque was built between 1298 and 1400, being first named the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. It is important to note, the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas was a Catholic cathedral, as it was built under the Venetians. Then in 1571, the Ottoman Empire took control of Cyprus and introduced Islam to much of the land, thus converting the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas into the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque. When walking around this mosque it was beautiful, seeing much of the Catholic architecture. The Turkish influence was also dually noted as the church floor was covered with a rug and housed many Qurans. This Ottoman influence happened to a multitude of churches across Cyprus, yet most were converted back to Catholic churches, but the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque remained a Mosque. This is due to the area of Famagusta remaining under Turkish control as it is above the buffer zone. Therefore, this will most likely forever remain as a Mosque.

Back in the early 1970s, Varosha, Famagusta, or the lost city, was the number-one tourist destination in Cyprus. Due to the increasing number of tourists and prospering shipping industry, the city quickly became very industrious. Hotels and high-rise buildings were constructed quickly yet came to a halt in 1974. During that year, 60,000 Greek Cypriots seek asylum in southern Cyprus. The City of Famagusta fell to Turkish control and closed the city off. Entry to Varisha was opened to civilians in 2017, yet it has not been turned over to the original residents. This is due to the use of leverage. Turkey wants Cyprus to recognize Northern Cyprus as its own independent country and is willing to give back to the city of Varosha once the demands are met. Many believe this is years from happening thus solidifying the nature of this city to never be the same again. Walking through the city, it was most similar to Chornobyl. The buildings were abandoned, eroding and rusting creating an extremely eerie feel to the city. It was extremely sad to see the devastating impacts of the Turks on this city.

Famagusta will never be the same. Through conquests and wars, this area of land became the least sought area throughout Cyprus due to Turkish governance. Although sad, these changes are remarkable to the history of Cyprus and the history of Europe. The lion (symbolism of prosperity) of Famagusta, will forever be altered.