The Karpaz Peninsula or “panhandle” as the British nicknamed the north-east part of Cyprus is a land where time has stood still. There are miles of sandy beaches with not a person in site - it is normal to share these beaches with the wild donkeys rather then people. Ancient towns, basilicas, ruins and tombs scatter the area waiting to be explored. To get a taste of Cyprus 20 years ago, any visitor to North Cyprus must visit the Karpaz. There are rural traditional Cypriot villages where the land is agricultural and the majority of the villages live off the land.  This is not chocolate box imagery this is truly rare beautiful countryside where real people live and work.

Driving in the Karpaz region is a dream.  No congestion, being able to remember how many other cars you have met, moving deeper into lush green country ( absolutely brilliant in Spring ) and travelling along one of the most magically scenic roads in the world.

The Karpaz peninsula was densely populated in Roman times and it was one of the largest districts under the Lusignans.

A main source of income in the region is fishing. Bogaz and Kumyali are the fishing centres in the Karpaz.

As well as numerous Byzantine churches, the most notable is the Monastery of Apostolo, the land has some of the best country side on the island.  The Karpaz peninsula has been called the nature reserve of Cyprus for birds, wild flowers, and sea fossils are to be found everywhere.

Karpaz peninsula is also almost totally free from heavy concentration of industry and people and is one of the least polluted regions in the European periphery.  Escaping the last ice age, the island of Cyprus has managed to retain a substantial amount of biological diversity with a significant amount of endemic species -plant species number about 1,600 (22 endemic) with Orchids being very abundant; bird species about 350 (7 endemic); and there are 26 reptile and amphibian species for most of which the Karpaz is the natural home.

Being also on one of the main migration routes of birds between Eastern Europe and Africa, each year approximately 300 species amounting to millions of birds use this route in early spring and late summer.
The last colony of European Audouin seagulls nest on the small Klidhes Isles at the tip of the Karpaz Peninsula in North Cyprus.

Nearly all of the region is accessible and although you will need at least a day to carry out any serious exploration it really is a worthwhile expenditure of time.  For beach lovers, the eastern coast-line of North Cyprus is the most favoured spot, though beaches on the north shore can be spectacular too.  Not to mention spectacularly empty!  For parts of the year, some beaches on the north side of the region are closed to visitors during marine turtle nesting and hatching.  The Karpas Peninsula can be easily explored from the Kyrenia or Famagusta region, but it is a reasonably long journey and to get the most from a trip you really should allow a whole day.

For serious exploration, consider staying at one of the hotels or in beach accommodation in the area and some spend time looking.  You will not regret it!
 

Malibu Beach

just past Yenierenkoy

Historic Sites

Kantara Castle

Kantara Castle is the easternmost of the castles situated on the Kyrenia mountain range in North Cyprus. Laying at 630 metres above sea level it is well positioned to control the entrances to Karpass Peninsula and Mesaoria plain.

It is thought to be built in the 10th century as a lookout post by the Byzantines against the raiding Arabs. The castle is first time mentioned in history when Richard the Lionheart captured Cyprus in 1191 and Isaac Comnenus, the despotic ruler of the island, took refuge in the castle.
 

Ayios Thrysos Church     (DEKS Restaurant)

Built in the 15th century BC is white washed with no fresco and is empty apart from a few pews and the shell of the iconostasis.  Lower down near the shore is a ruined smaller medieval chapel and beside that a smaller cave church which is probably  Byzantine.

Ayios Trias Basilica

This 5th century basilica, situated near Sipahi village was discovered in 1957 by chance.  It includes a nartex, an atrium and additional rooms.  The mosaics are full of leaf and cross figures.  They were read to say that they constructed by eastern Mediterranean craftsmen.

Ayios Philon Church 

Dating from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, Philon is the saint who converted the people of Karpaz to Christianity in the 4th century. The church comprises a three-part apsis and a courtyard surrounded with columns. There are colourful mosaics on the floor. A domed church was built in the 12th century on the ruins of the old building destroyed by the Arab pirates. It also has a cistern and a baptising room.  It is just about the last remaining remnant of and is in the vicinity of the ancient town of Karpasia which was built in the Phoenician period ( Next to the restaurant). On the coast side of the church is a roman harbour and a very nice restaurant.  Details of the area, maps and archaeological digs are shown in the restaurant.

Ayios Philon also has a restaurant and Hotel with 'harbour' side accommodation.

Apostolos Andreas Monastery

The monastery is found at the very tip if the peninsula on Cape Zafer.  Apostolos Andreas who was originally a follower of St. John the Baptist was called upon by Jesus Christ to spread Christianity in Cyprus.  His monastery is considered sacred by both Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

Salamis ( Gazimaguza district)

Salamis was an ancient city-state on the east coast of Cyprus, at the mouth of the river Pedieos, 6 km North of Famagusta.  The earliest archaeological finds go back to the 11th century BCE (Late Bronze Age III). Children's burials in Canaanite jars indicate a Phoenician presence. A harbour and a cemetery from this period have been excavated. The town is mentioned in Assyrian inscriptions as one of the kingdoms of Ia'. The first coins were minted in the 6th century BCE, following Persian prototypes.

Cyprus was under the control of the Assyrians at this time but the city-states of the island enjoyed a relative independence as long as they paid their tribute to the Assyrian king. This allowed the kings of the various cities to accumulate wealth and power. Certain burial customs observed in the "royal tombs" of Salamis relate directly to Homeric rites, such as the sacrifice of horses in honour of the dead and the offering of jars of olive oil. Some scholars have interpreted this phenomenon as the result of influence of the Homeric Epics in Cyprus. Most of the grave goods come from the Levant or Egypt.

The mythical founder of Salamis is Teucer, son of Telamon who could not return home after the Trojan war because he had failed to avenge his brother Ajax.

In 450 BCE Salamis was the site of a simultaneous land and sea battle between Athens and the Persians. (This is not to be confused with the earlier Battle of Salamis in 480 BCE between the Greeks and the Persians at Salamis in Attica.)

A monument, which illustrates the end of the Classical period in Salamis, is the tumulus, which covered the cenotaph of Nicocreon, one of the last kings of Salamis, who perished in 311 BC. On its monumental platform were found several clay heads, some of which are portraits, perhaps of members of the royal family who were honoured after their tragic death on the pyre.

Nowadays Salamis is still a meeting place for people.  During the summer months many varied Turkish and International entertainers are featured at the amphitheatre giving magical evenings out.

The Future ?

Building is taking place at what seems a pace in the Karpaz area.  Each time one visits it seems that there is something new.  In particular the new Marina development carries on and should be something to see in the future.  What the economic effects will be are to be seen.  Lets hope that the development is sympathetic to the area and the economy.

The fishing harbour that is presently at the side of Malibu beach can be seen in the bottom right hand corner