7 Historical Places in Guzelyurt, Cyprus

There are many historical sites and structures to visit and see in the Güzelyurt area of Cyprus. It is possible to list the seven most important of them as Soli Ancient City, Soli Basilica, Soli Theatre, Archeology and Natural History Museum, St. Mamas Church, Tumba Tu Skuru and Vuni Palace.

• Soli Ancient City (Soli Ruins)

One of the important historical buildings in the Güzelyurt region is the Ancient City of Soli. The Soli region takes its name from Solon. BC King of Aepea Phillkypros wants to move his country to a better place. The king's tutor, the Athenian philosopher Solon, suggested the region of Soli, a port known for its lush vegetation and fertile water resources. A short time later, the city of Soli was established and became a commercial city where the products of the rich were marketed. Later, the people of the city of Soli rebelled against the Persians, who were the rulers of Cyprus at that time, and were defeated. The Ancient City of Soli, which lived its heyday in the Roman period, is among the heritages of history that are open to visitors today.

• Soli Basilica

It is thought that the basilica of Soli was built in the second half of the 4th century. Soli Basilica is among the first churches built in Cyprus. It is known that the basilica, which is about 200 meters long, had three gates in the past. It is thought that these gates were followed by a courtyard surrounded by columns and having a fountain. Today, the lower parts of the giant columns that were in the church in the past are still present.

• Soli Theater

Another historical heritage in the city of Soli is the Soli Theatre. This theater dates from the end of the 2nd century AD and the beginning of the 3rd century. The semi-circular seating area was carved into the rock of the hill. The surviving stones of this seat were used in the construction of the Port Saint dock in the 19th century. A certain part of this section, which has a capacity of approximately 4000 people, has been restored today. The part that can be seen today is the platform built on the stage building. In addition, graduation ceremonies and spring festivals of universities are held here.

• Archeology and Natural History Museum

It is known that this building, which is now called the Archeology and Natural History Museum, was used as a metropolitan area before 1974. Later, this building was restored and allocated to the Güzelyurt Antiquities and Museums Department. In 1979, it was opened to visitors as a museum. The types of migratory birds, insects, snakes, fish species and stone types seen in Cyprus are exhibited in the museum.

• St. Mamas (St. Mamas) Church

The Church of St. Mamas, another important work in Güzelyurt, is a structure built in the Byzantine period, and it took its final form in the 18th century by going through many changes over time. This church is named after St. The most common belief about Mamas is that he was a Christian saint who lived around Güzelyurt in the 12th century. st. The tomb of Mamas is located near the church.

• Tumba Tu Skuru (Tumba Tu Skouru)

Tumba Tu Skuru, located around Kalkanlı village, is a settlement founded by Aegean merchants between 1550-1700 BC. The region, which was thought to have been established by the sea in the past, has now moved away from the sea with the filling of the sea. During the excavations carried out in this region in the 1970s, many bronzes, clays, gold and silver were found. In addition, a ceramic workshop and a section of a house are among the finds unearthed. Today, these finds are exhibited for visitors in the Güzelyurt Archeology Museum.