ELEVEN BASTIONS & THREE GATES
THE ORIGINAL WALLS OF NICOSIA
Evidence of Frankish rule can be seen in plain sight all over the city today. This is mainly because the Franks embarked on a major building program throughout Nicosia after the city became their administrative centre during the early part of their rule. Their tenure, in light of this, is intertwined with the overall HISTORY OF NICOSIA, and although it has not survived, the main testament to their rule was the Nicosia castle, which was built in 1211. The first ever fortifications surrounding the entire city were then added to the castle. These walls also protected the grand King’s palace that was flanked by a series of smaller palaces and both Orthodox and Latin churches. These original walls form the base of the walls we see surrounding the old city today.
RE-FORTIFIED BY VENETIANS
The Venetians, after taking control of the island in 1489, were quick to identify the Ottoman threat to Cyprus. Their response was swift, and they immediately began fortifying all of the major cities across the island. Although they re-fortified the old Frankish walls of Nicosia, by the mid 16th century, they were largely obsolete and no longer relevant by conventional standards.
RE-DESIGNED FOR ARTILARY
Venetian architects were charged with designing and then building new walls more suitable for artillery. They chose a design that took the shape of an eleven-pointed star and three main gates. Each star has a separate bastion, and the three gates are named after the region that they face. Kyrenia Gate faces north, whilst the Paphos Gate faces west. The Famagusta Gate faces east. The river Pedieos, which once flowed through the old walled city, was diverted for strategic reasons. This created a moat outside the new walls.
A CITY UNDER SEIGE
The Ottomans, after invading the island in July 1570, laid siege to the City of Nicosia. Although the walls stood firm, the city would eventually fall on September 9th of the same year. The city was then sacked, and every church, public building, and palace was looted. Up to 20,000 Cypriot defenders were put to death in the shadow of the walls. As word of the massacre spread, it paved the way for the Ottomans to take the City of Kyrenia a few days later without firing a single shot.
