A brief outline

THE BEGINNING:

The origins of the town of Famagusta date back to 2000 B.C when a settlement called Alasia was built in the area. Other towns that were built later in the area like Arsinoe, Salamis (another important Greek city in Cyprus and in the region) and Constantia are also considered to be the predecessors of Famagusta.

THE LUSIGNIANS AND THE VENETIANS:

Famagusta's most interesting history begins in the medieval era when Cyprus was under Lusignian rule. As a harbour city between three continents, Famagusta flourished. What is known as the Old town of Famagusta took shape around this time. Travellers, who visited Famagusta in the 14th century, described it as the richest city in Cyprus and in the region.

The medieval architectural monuments of the city can only confirm these narrations. Massive walls and bastions that were surrounded by a moat fortified Famagusta. A magnificent gothic Cathedral dedicated to St. Nicholas was built in the early 14th century. At the same time it has been said that there were 365 churches in the town - one for every day of the year.

The decline of the city began in the15th century with the discovery of alternative sea routes to Asia. Yet, Famagusta continued to be an important outpost in the Eastern Mediterranean. When the Venetians occupied Cyprus in the late 15th century they remodelled extensively the city's walls. The Venetian occupation on Cyprus lasted for almost a century. The Ottoman Turks invaded Cyprus in 1570 and after a long siege that lasted almost one year and in which they lost over 80,000 soldiers, on the 9th of August 1571 Famagusta's Greek and Italian defenders (who had exhausted their food and ammunition) surrendered the town to the Turks who eventually massacred them.

FROM OTTOMAN AND BRITISH RULE TO INDEPENDENCE:

During the 3 centuries of Ottoman occupation, Famagusta and the rest of the island remained in a state of neglect and eventually declined. Since the Christian inhabitants of the city were not anymore to live within the walled city, a new settlement called "Varosha" or the new town of Famagusta grew right outside the walled sector of Famagusta. In the late 18th century, the Turks demolished several monuments of the old city so that the stones from them could be used to help built Port Said, at the entrance of the Suez Canal.

Under British colonial rule Famagusta started regaining its importance again and soon became the most important harbour in Cyprus. Independence and the rapid development of tourism reshaped the urban environment of Famagusta. By 1974 the town of Famagusta claimed over 50% of the island's hotel capacity, 83% of its import and export trade and 10% of the industrial production.

THE TURKISH INVASION IN 1974 - A CITY'S POPULATION IN EXILE:

Famagusta's rapid development and prosperity came to an abrupt end in 1974. During the Turkish invasion in 1974, the town was bombed repeatedly by Turkish warplanes. On August 16th 1974, the Turkish army entered the town that was abandoned only hours before by its defenceless inhabitants. While the Turks continue to live in the old town of Famagusta, since 1974 the new town of Famagusta remains a "ghost town"and its 40,000 inhabitants are still in exile.