Selimiye Mosque | Nicosia

Information

Landmark: Selimiye Mosque
City: Nicosia
Country: Cyprus
Continent: Europe

Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia, Cyprus, Europe

The Selimiye Mosque is a significant historical structure in Nicosia, Cyprus, originally constructed as a Roman Catholic cathedral and later converted into a mosque. It is located within the northern part of the walled city, serving as a central religious and architectural landmark.

Visual Characteristics

The structure primarily exhibits French Gothic architectural characteristics, featuring pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and remnants of flying buttresses. Its main construction material is local sandstone, which presents a weathered, light brown to grey appearance. Two slender minarets, added during the Ottoman period, flank the western facade, introducing Ottoman architectural elements. The central nave reaches a considerable interior height, typical of large medieval cathedrals, with a long, rectangular footprint.

Location & Access Logistics

The Selimiye Mosque is situated in North Nicosia, within the historic walled city. Access is primarily pedestrian once inside the city walls. From the Ledra Street crossing point, it is approximately 0.8 km north-east, reachable by walking through the narrow streets of the Arasta market. Parking for private vehicles is available in paid car parks located outside the city walls, near the Kyrenia Gate or Famagusta Gate, requiring a walk of 5-10 minutes into the old city. Public transport options within North Nicosia are limited; local taxis or shared dolmuş can drop visitors near the city wall entrances.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of the building, initially known as the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, commenced in 1209 under the Lusignan dynasty and was largely completed by 1326. Its original purpose was to serve as the principal Roman Catholic cathedral of Cyprus, where Lusignan kings were crowned. Following the Ottoman conquest of Nicosia in 1570, the cathedral was converted into a mosque, with the addition of two minarets to its western bays.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can enter the mosque outside of designated prayer times to observe its interior architecture, which retains many Gothic features despite the Islamic conversion. Photography is permitted, provided it respects worshippers. The exterior offers a unique visual contrast between the Gothic cathedral structure and the Ottoman minarets. Observing the daily calls to prayer from the minarets is a notable experience.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restroom facilities are available on-site for visitors. The interior of the mosque provides substantial shade. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable in the immediate vicinity. Numerous small cafes, restaurants, and food vendors are located within a 100-meter radius in the surrounding Arasta market area.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit for exterior photography is late morning or early afternoon, when the sun illuminates the western facade. To avoid larger crowds, visiting on weekdays, outside of peak prayer times, is recommended. The most comfortable months for exploring Nicosia are spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) due to more temperate weather conditions.

Facts & Legends

A verified historical fact is that the Lusignan kings of Cyprus were crowned as Kings of Cyprus in the Cathedral of Saint Sophia (now Selimiye Mosque) and then, in a separate ceremony, as Kings of Jerusalem in the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Famagusta. A practical tip for visitors is to explore the narrow, winding streets immediately surrounding the mosque, which host numerous artisan shops and traditional cafes offering local crafts and refreshments.