United for Cyprus

Occupied Cyprus Occupied Towns

 

Rizokarpaso is a town on the Karpass Peninsula in the Famagusta District, north-eastern Cyprus. It has been under Turkish control since the 1974 island division.  Rizokarpaso is the biggest town on the peninsula. Soil near the town consists of terra fusca which is very fertile.

 

Enclaved

 

At the end of the second phase of the Turkish invasion late in August 1974, about 20,000 Greek and Maronite Cypriots living in villages and towns primarily in the Karpass Peninsula of northeast Cyprus and in villages west of the city of Kyrenia remained enclaved behind the ceasefire line. Today, only a total number of 437 persons remain behind the green line, of which 328 are Greek Cypriot and 109 Maronite Cypriots. These persons are known as the ‘enclaved’. Most of these persons chose to stay behind because of their attachment to their homes and properties, the fear of displacement and the hope that following the ceasefire they would be able to remain and continue with their lives. They are yet to be proven right.

 

Before 1974, Rizokarpaso was predominantly inhabited by Greek Cypriots. During the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the peninsula was cut off by Turkish troops, and this prevented the town's Greek Cypriot inhabitants from fleeing to the unoccupied south. The Greek Cypriot population is now mainly elderly and shrinking in size, they are still supplied by the UN, and Greek Cypriot products are consequently available in some shops.

 

The town has 2 churches - St. Synesios and the church of the Holy Trinity. They are examples of the typical Cypriot mixed style, combining features of the late Gothic introduced by the Lusignans with the late Byzantine style of the Orthodox tradition. These are 2 of the few Christian churches to operate in North Cyprus, and have had services stopped by the Turkish Cypriot police.

 

The Rizokarpaso cemetery is located beside the Church of ‘Our Lady of Rizokarpaso’ in the Famagusta district. It has fallen into dire disrepair and looks like it was bombed, even though it is still used by the few remaining Greek Cypriots enclaved under Turkish military occupation.

 

Yialousa (also called Agialousa) is located in the Karpass Peninsula. The village takes its name from the sea (yialo). The inhabitants engage in agriculture and livestock breeding. Before the Turkish invasion, there was a bank, hospital, 2 primary schools, gymnasium and a cinema. In 1977, all the villagers were driven out by the Turks. Near Yialousa is the Apostolos Andreas Monastery where thousands of visitors would visit and fill their bottles with holy spring water by the rocks, natural to Apostolos Andreas.

 

Famagusta (maritime ancient city of crusader kings)

 

It is a city on the east coast of Cyprus. In Greek it is called Ammochostos, meaning ‘hidden in the sand’. This name developed into Famagusta (originally Famagouste in French and Famagosta in Italian), used in Western European languages. The Turkish name is Gazimağusa . The old town is nicknamed ‘the city of 365 churches’ owing to a legend that Famagusta boasted one church for each day of the year.

 

Founded in 300 BC on the old settlement of Arsinoe, Famagusta remained a small fishing village for a long period of time. Later, as a result of the gradual evacuation of Salamis, it developed into a small port.

 

Plays used to be enacted in the nearby-reconstructed ruins of the ancient Greek theatre of Salamis.

 

Royal Tombs in Salamina

 

The 8 tombs are located in the necropolis (dead city) near the ancient city of Salamis. The tombs were built in the 8th century BC. They were discovered by the archaeologist Vassos Karageorgis, who conducted excavations in the area from 1962 until 1973. The most important one is Tomb 79, where it was found to contain, apart from skeletons of horses, a wonderful copper boiler, 4 thrones, a bed and other important works of art. The tombs have suffered great damage because of their complete neglect after the Turkish invasion of 1974.

 

During the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on 14 August 1974 the Mesaoria plain was overrun by Turkish tanks and Famagusta was bombed by Turkish aircraft. Within a couple of days the Turkish Army occupied the city, which had been completely evacuated by its Greek Cypriot population, who had fled into surrounding fields before the army's arrival. Most believed that once the initial violence calmed down they would be allowed to return. As a result of the Turkish airstrikes dozens of civilians died, including tourists.

 

Bellapais Abbey, from the French ‘abbaye de la paix’ which means the Peace Monastery, in the northern village of Bellapais, was constructed between 1198-1205. The main building as can be seen today was built during the 13th century AD by French Augustinian monks, and specifically during the rule of King Hugh III 1267-1284. The pavilions around the courtyard and the refectory were constructed during the rule of King Hugh IV between 1324-1359.

 

In addition to the various Greek-speaking schools, Famagusta was home to the Famagusta Armenian School, which as of 1972 was called ‘Nareg’. The school was founded in 1928.

 

Famagusta is now a ‘ghost-town’.