Venetian Walls & Eleftheria Square
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Star-shaped walls built by the Venetians in 1567 encircle the Old City, with 11 heart-shaped bastions still standing. Eleftheria Square was remodeled by Zaha Hadid.
The Old City of Nicosia is encircled by roughly 5 km of Venetian walls, built in 1567 to defend against the Ottoman army. Eleven heart-shaped bastions give the walls a snowflake-like star outline on the map, making them a prime example of Renaissance military fortification in Europe. The original moat has mostly been turned into parks, parking lots and sports grounds. On the south side, Eleftheria Square, atop the De Avila Bastion, was redesigned by Zaha Hadid. Its white, sweeping pathways link the new city and the Old City, making it a natural starting point for exploring the Old City. The north and south sections of the walls fall under the administration of the two sides.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia
- Laiki Geitonia
- A. G. Leventis Gallery
- Shacolas Tower Observatory
- Faneromeni Church & Square
- Ledra Street & Crossing Point
- Ömeriye Mosque & Hammam
- Cyprus Museum