Ledra Street Observatory (within the walls) Nicosia
A view from above
Old Nicosia. The city within the walls scenes from past, sounds and sites from another time. There is always something from the past to look at… just take a careful look. You can enjoy the history of the city, a city which was built to be united, not diveded.
A view from Ledras Museum Observatory on the 11th floor of the Shacolas Tower offers a complete, unique experience of the entire city.
The observatory on the 11th floor of the Shakolas Tower Building provides a panoramic view of the whole town of Lefkosia. Visitors can admire unobstructed all round views of the city and its landmarks.
History
Nicosia was first inhabited over 5,000 years ago. It was first known as Ledra, during the period of the ancient city-kingdoms in Cyprus, but the name was later changed to Lefkothea under the Ptolemies, before it became known as Nicosia (Lefkosia) during the first Christian years. It became the capital of Cyprus in Byzantine times when the people of the island abandoned the coastal areas to seek refuge from the Arab raids in the centre og the island. The Patron Saint of the city is Saint Tryfilios, who was also the first Bishop of Nicosia.
Along with the rest of the island, Nicosia continued to pass through different hands. The Knights, the Lusignians including their last queen Katerina Kornaro developed the culture and architecture of the city, while the Venecians fortified it by building new walls. Nicosia was then taken over by the Ottomans and its development stagnated.
The city started to be developed again in the 9th Century when churches were built and the first school was founded.
In 1878, administration of the island was taken over by the British and the capital once more took on its European character. Goverment buildings and courts were built, while new roads were created connecting the old and new parts of town.
Nicosia became the commercial centre of the town and Ledra Street, where the Shacolas Tower stands today, was the busiest area.
On the 16th of August 1960, Cyprus was declared an independent Republic with its capital, Nicosia. However in 1963 following Turkish agitation, the city was split into Greek and Turkish quarters, divided by the ”Green Line”. The Turkish invasion of 1974 created a new situation, with half of the capital remaining under occupation.
Today the city has developed in the same way as all other modern European cities. It is home to large shopping streets, parks, museums, cultural centres and is the financial centre of the island.
However, it continues to be the last divided city in Europe.
From the Shacolas Tower, you can enjoy the view of a developed city to the South, East and West, compared to the misfortune of occupation in the North.
Take the opportunity to experience the panoramic view of the whole city of Nicosia from Ledra Museum Observatory.
Technology at the Observatory
Ledra Museum Observatory combines a modern museum with an unhindered view of the Shacolas Tower, the highest building of Nicosia within the walls.
With the use of modern interactive technology, like touch screens, the visitors can observe better the monuments of the city. It also offers a special room with projection of audiovisual material in multiple languages with theme the history of Nicosia.
Ledra Museum – Observatory is a unique experience and gives you the chance to see Nicosia as you have never seen it before.
The creation of the Ledra Museum – Observatory in 1998, is one of the best examples of what Ermes Group offers to the community.
Source: Museum of – Ledra Observatory
District: Nicosia
Address: Corner of Ledra and Arsinoe
Accreditation: Nicos Shacolas Group of Companies
Operating Period: All year
Hours: 10:00 – 19:00 (The opening is formed according to the seasons. Telephone before visiting the museum on the phone 00357-22679369)
Facilities:
Telephone / Fax: 00357-22679369 / —
Website / Email: www.ermes.com.cy / —
Ticket Price: 2 euro (for children under 6 years free)
Ticket Fee: At the entrance of the Museum
Map Google Earth:
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