Cyprus Ghost Town - Frozen in Time
In Cyprus there is a tiny town named Varosha. It resembles a 1970's seaside resort crossed with an eerie film set. There is a notice on a fence that reads "Forbidden Zone". It is written in four different languages. It also has an image of a Turkish soldier with a rifle. The meaning is clear. Stay away or be shot. This place is known as the infamous Cyprus ghost town.
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Varosha is in a UN zone between the Republic of Cyprus and what is known as a Turkish occupied area. It is the tourist area of Famagusta, which is located in the northern third of Cyprus.
This little town is a no mans land where neither Greeks nor Turks are allowed to go. In short, it is a ghost town. Not so long ago this area used to be very different.
This little town is a no mans land where neither Greeks nor Turks are allowed to go. In short, it is a ghost town. Not so long ago this area used to be very different.
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Varosha is in a UN zone between the Republic of Cyprus and what is known as a Turkish occupied area. It is the tourist area of Famagusta, which is located in the northern third of Cyprus.
This little town is a no mans land where neither Greeks nor Turks are allowed to go. In short, it is a ghost town. Not so long ago this area used to be very different.
This little town is a no mans land where neither Greeks nor Turks are allowed to go. In short, it is a ghost town. Not so long ago this area used to be very different.
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Varosha was the Greek quarter of Famagusta. It used to be a bustling town where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots worked side by side happily. There were hotels being built to handle the tourist traffic. In all, there were 36 hotels that accounted for half of the bed spaces in Cyprus. Famagusta also had nurseries, museums, and art galleries. There were primary, secondary, and private schools.
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Famagusta ghost town was the place to be, until the Turkish army invaded in August of 1974. They were responding to a Greek Cypriot coup. The people of Varosha fled. They did not even stop to take their clothes and belongings. It is said there is still a car dealership there that has brand new 1974 cars in it.
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Now Varosha is known as Cyprus ghost town that only reptiles and rats live in. The buildings are crumbling and metal is rusting. Empty buildings have been looted and roads are cracking under the hot sun. Plant life is reclaiming this little town.
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Although Turkish and UN troops patrol what used to be Famagusta, one may visit. Keep in mind that there is no entrance of what used to be Varosha. One can have access to the perimeter and some of the beach front. No photos are allowed and cameras will be confiscated if one tries to use one. One may even be arrested for trying. There is no access by the seabed either since a net is strung across it to snare anyone who tries.
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These two sites have become the symbol of the Cyprus conflict. Famagusta is listed on the World Monuments Fund's watch list of 100 Most Endangered Sites. If one wants to visit Cyprus ghost town, they should do so soon.
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The Chilled Out Holidays in Cyprus Blog is the mini holiday journal about Cyprus. It will alert you whenever any new web pages appear on Your Cyprus Holiday, telling you about the latest adventures and goings on in sun drenched Cyprus.
This will keep you up to date with the latest news and flights out to Cyprus, saving you the hard work of searching.
This Blog delivers the most recent pages at yourcyprusholiday.com.
This will keep you up to date with the latest news and flights out to Cyprus, saving you the hard work of searching.
This Blog delivers the most recent pages at yourcyprusholiday.com.
by StephenM3
Stephen is a holiday let landlord and editor of YourCyprus Holiday.com. Stephen reports the latest insider tips, key articles, hand picked holiday re... more »
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