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Kyrenia

Coordinates:35°20′25″N33°19′09″E/ 35.34028°N 33.31917°E/35.34028; 33.31917
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, seeKeryneia, GreeceandKyrenia (ship).

Kyrenia
City
Kyrenia Harbour
Kyrenia Harbour
Kyrenia is located in Cyprus
Kyrenia
Kyrenia
Coordinates:35°20′25″N33°19′09″E/ 35.34028°N 33.31917°E/35.34028; 33.31917
Country(de jure)Cyprus
•DistrictKyrenia District
Country(de facto)Northern Cyprus[1]
•DistrictGirne District
Government
• MayorMurat Şenkul[2](in Kyrenia)
Violaris Iosif(in exile)
Elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
(2019)[4]
• Municipality45,881
• District
96,663[3]
Time zoneUTC+2(EET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+3(EEST)
WebsiteKyrenia Turkish municipality
The municipality in NC eGov portal
Greek Cypriot municipality(in exile)

Kyrenia(Greek:Κερύνεια,romanized:Kerýneialocally[t͡ʃeˈɾiɲˑa];Turkish:Girne[ˈGiɾne]) is a city on the northern coast ofCyprus,noted for its historic harbour and castle. It is under thede factocontrol ofNorthern Cyprus.

While there is evidence showing that the wider region of Kyrenia has been populated before, the city was built by the Greeks namedAchaeansfrom thePeloponneseafter theTrojan War(1300 BC). According toGreek mythology,Kyrenia was founded by the Achaeans Cepheus and Praxandrus who ended up there after the Trojan War. The heroes gave to the new city the name of their city of Kyrenia located in Achaia, Greece.

As the town grew prosperous, the Romans established the foundations of its castle in the 1st century AD. Kyrenia grew in importance after the 9th century due to the safety offered by the castle, and played a pivotal role under theLusignanrule as the city never capitulated. The castle has been most recently modified by the Venetians in the 15th century, but the city surrendered to theOttoman Empirein 1571.

The city's population was almost equally divided between Muslims and Christians in 1831, with a slight Muslim majority. However, with the advent of British rule, manyTurkish Cypriotsfled toAnatolia,and the town came to be predominantly inhabited byGreek Cypriots.While the city suffered littleintercommunal violence,its Greek Cypriot inhabitants, numbering around 2,650, fled or were forcefully displaced in the wake of theTurkish invasionin 1974. Currently, the city is populated by Turkish Cypriots,mainland Turkish settlers,and British expats, with a municipal population of 33,207.

Kyrenia is a cultural and economical centre, described as the tourism capital of Northern Cyprus.[5][6][7]It is home to numerous hotels, nightlife and a port. It hosts an annual culture and arts festival with hundreds of participating artists and performers and is home to three universities with a student population around 14,000.[8]

History

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Main article:History of Kyrenia

Ancient times

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The earliest document which mention Kyrenia is the 'Periplus of Pseudo Skylax'. It dates to the thirteenth century but is based on fourth-century BC knowledge. The manuscript names numerous towns along the Mediterranean coast and mentions Kyrenia as a harbour town: 'OppositeCiliciais the island of Cyprus, and these are its city-states (poleis):Salamis,which is Greek and has a closed winter harbour; theKarpasia,Kyrenia,Lapithos,which isPhoenician;Soloi(this has also winter harbour);Marion,which is Greek;Amathus(which is autochthonous). All of them have deserted (summer) harbours. And there are also city states speaking strange languages inland.’4 Skylax referred to both Kyrenia and Lapithos as Phoenician towns. Coins with Phoenician legends underline that the Northern coast between Kyrenia and Lapithos were at least under Phoenician influence.

Another topographical source is the 'Stadiasmus Maris Magni' (from the name 'stadion', a unit measuring distances, 1 stadion = 184 metres). The unknown author, who sailed fromCape Anamuron the Cilician coast to Cyprus and circumnavigated the island, gave the distances from Asia Minor to the nearest point in Cyprus. This was 300 stadia, about 55 000 metres. He also recorded distances between towns. From Soli to Kyrenia he counted 350 stadia, from Kyrenia to Lapithos 50 and from Lapithos to Karpasia it was 550 stadia.

The 'Geography' ofClaudios Ptolemaioswhich was lost for over a thousand years and rediscovered in medieval times, is a further important source upon which the later cartography of the Renaissance is based. Ptolemy, who lived in Alexandria, Egypt, about 150 A.D., gives the distances between the towns and settlements of Cyprus which are marked by cycles. He also lists Kyrenia.

Another medieval reproduction of an ancient scroll is the 'Tabula Peutingeriana' or 'Peutinger Table'. It is nearly seven metres long and one metre wide and shows the road network in the Roman Empire of the 4th/5th century. The roads are drawn in straight lines and the road-stations are marked by kinks, and towns by pictograms with the name of the place and the numbers in Roman miles. Kyrenia together with Paphos, Soloi, Tremethousa and Salamis are marked by a pictogram showing two towers close together. Kyrenia is connected by a road via Lapithos and Soli with Paphos and via Chytri (Greek Kythraea, Turkish Değirmenlik) with Salamis.

Through the use of milestones during Roman times, a new source appeared which shows that the road circuit around the island was completed. Kyrenia was connected via Soli and Paphos to the western and southern part of the island. At the same time, the road to the east was extended along the shore to Karpasia and Urania on the Karpas peninsula. During the following centuries, Kyrenia is variously named on the maps as Ceraunia, Cerenis, Keronean, Kernia and Kerini.

CepheusfromArcadiais believed to be the founder of the town of Kyrenia. A military leader, he arrived at the north coast of the island bringing with him many settlers from various towns inAchaea.One such town, located near present-dayAigioin thePeloponnese,was also called Kyrenia. This is said to be the home of the mythicalCeryneian Hind(Greek:Κερυνῖτις ἔλαφος,romanized:Kerynitis elaphos) from the 12Labours of Hercules.East of Kyrenia lies the "Coast of Achaeans". It was at Kyrenia, according toStrabo,thatTeucercame first ashore, to found the ancient Kingdom ofSalamisafter the Trojan war.[9]

The earliest reference made to the town of Kyrenia is found, together with that of the other seven city kingdoms of Cyprus, inEgyptian scriptsdating from the period ofRamesses III,1125-1100s BC.

From its early days of settlement, Kyrenia's commerce and maritime trade benefited enormously from its proximity to theAsia Minorcoast. Boats set sail from theAegean islands,traveled along the Asia Minor coast, and then crossed over the short distance to the northern shores of Cyprus to reach the two city kingdoms ofLapithosand Kyrenia. This lively maritime activity (late 4th or early 3rd century BC) is evident in an ancient shipwreck discovered by Andreas Kariolou in 1965, just outside Kyrenia harbour. The vessel's route alongSamos,Kos,Rhodes,the Asia Minor coastline and then Kyrenia, demonstrates the town's close maritime relations with other city kingdoms in the easternMediterranean.

During the succession struggle betweenPtolemyandAntigonusthat followedAlexander the Great's death in 323 BC, Kyrenia was subdued under the rule of the kingdom of Lapithos that allied itself with theAntigonid dynasty.Diodorus Siculus(19.79) observes that in 312 BC. Ptolemy arrestedPraxiposthe king of Lapithos and the king of Kyrenia. Once thePtolemieswere successful in dominating the whole island, all city kingdoms were abolished. Kyrenia however, because of its maritime trade, continued to prosper. In the 2nd century BC, it is cited as one of six Cypriot towns which were benefactors to the Oracle atDelphi,that is, it received its special representatives who collected contributions and gifts. The town's prosperity at this time is also evident from its two temples, one dedicated toApolloand the other toAphrodite,and from the rich archeological finds dating from theHellenistic periodexcavated within the present-day town limits.

The Romans succeeded the Ptolemies as rulers of Cyprus and during this time Lapithos became the administrative centre of the district. The numerous tombs excavated and the rich archeological finds dating from this period indicate however, that Kyrenia continued to be a populous and prosperous town. An inscription found at the base of a limestone statue dating from 13 to 37 AD, refers to 'Kyrenians Demos' that is, the town's inhabitants. Here as everywhere else, the Romans left their mark by constructing a castle with a seawall in front of it so that boats and ships could anchor in safety.

Christianityfound fertile ground in the area. Early Christians used the old quarries of Chrysokava, just east of Kyrenia castle, ascatacombsand cut-rock cemeteries which are considered among the island's most important specimens of this period. Later, some of these caves were converted into churches and feature iconography, the most representative of which is that found atAyia Mavri.The latest editions of theRoman Martyrology[10]no longer include a mention, as a martyr, of Bishop Theodotus of this see. The GreekMenologiumrecounts, under 6 May, that underLiciniushe was arrested and tortured, before being released when theEdict of Milanof 313, of which Licinius was co-author, mandated toleration of Christians in theRoman Empire.[11]

Middle ages

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XIII century flag of the Lusignan family, Kyrenia castle

With the division of the Roman Empire into aneasternand awestern empire,in 395 Cyprus came under the Byzantine emperors and theGreek Orthodox Church.TheByzantine emperorsfortified Kyrenia's Roman castle and in the 10th century, they constructed in its vicinity a church dedicated toSaint George,which the garrison used as a chapel. Then, when in 806, Lambousa was destroyed in the Arab raids, Kyrenia grew in importance because its castle and garrison offered its inhabitants protection and security.Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus,the island's last Byzantine governor, sent his family and treasures to the castle for safety in 1191 when KingRichard I of Englandwent to war with him and became the island's new master.

Richard's rule was not welcomed in Cyprus so he sold the island first to theKnights Templar,and then in 1192, toGuy of Lusignan.UnderFrankish rule,the villages of the district of Kyrenia became feudal estates and the town became once again the administrative and commercial centre for its region. The Lusignans enlarged the castle, built a wall and towers around the town, and extended the fortifications to the harbour. They also fortified the Byzantine castles of Saint Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara, which, together with Kyrenia Castle, protected the town from land and sea attacks. Kyrenia castle played a pivotal role in the island's history during the many disputes among the Frankish kings, as well as the conflicts with theGenoese.

Lusignancoat of arms detail crests above the gateway toKyrenia Castle

In 1229, during thecivil war in Cyprus,the forces of KingHenry I of Cyprusand theIbelinstook the castle of Kyrenia from the supporters ofFrederick IIwith the support of Genoese ships.[12][13]Strangely Henry I's wifeAlice of Montferratwas one of the victims and he had never met her.

In 1489, Cyprus came underVenetian rule.The Venetians modifiedKyrenia Castleto meet the threat that the use of gunpowder and cannons posed. The castle's royal quarters and three of its four thin and elegant Frankish towers were demolished and replaced by thickset circular towers that could better withstand cannon fire.

In 1505, a plague that was thought to have originated in Anatolia killed a quarter of the town's population. Another plague that originated in the Levant and affected parts of the island struck the town in 1523.[14]

The castle's towers were never put to the test. In 1571, the castle and the town surrendered to theOttomanarmy.

Ottoman rule

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An illustration of Kyrenia in 1837

UnderOttoman rule,Kyrenia district was at first one of four, then one of six, administrative districts of the island and the town remained its administrative capital. The town's fortunes declined however as it was transformed into a garrison town. The Christian population was expelled from the fortified city, and no one was allowed to reside within the castle other than the artillerymen and their families. These men coerced the town's inhabitants and those of the surrounding villages, Christian and Muslim alike, with their arbitrary looting and crimes. The few local inhabitants who dared to stay were merchants and fishermen whose livelihood depended on the sea. They built their homes outside the city wall, which through time, neglect and disrepair, turned to ruin. The rest of the inhabitants moved further out to the area known as Pano Kyrenia or the 'Riatiko' (so called because it once belonged to a king) or fled further inland and to the mountain villages ofThermeia,Karakoumi,Kazafani,Bellapaisand Karmi.[15]

Ottoman cemetery, dome and graves

The town revived again when bribes and gifts paid to local Turkish officials caused them to permit local maritime trade with Asia Minor and the Aegean islands to resume. In 1783, the church of Chrysopolitissa was renovated. Then in 1856, following theHatt-i Humayun,which introduced social and political reform and greater religious freedom for the various peoples of the Ottoman Empire, the church of Archangel Michael was rebuilt on a rocky mount overlooking the sea. At about this time, many of the Christian inhabitants of the surrounding villages re-established themselves in the town. Local agriculture and maritime trade, particularly the export of carobs to Asia Minor, allowed the people of Kyrenia to have a comfortable living, and some even to educate their children and pursue other cultural activities.

According to the 1831 census, which counted only male inhabitants, Muslims made up 52% of the population. By 1881, three years into the British administration of the island, Muslims and Christians in the town were still almost equal in numbers; the census for 1881 records the town's population as 570 Muslims and 594 Christians. However, a significant Muslim emigration from the town to Anatolia took place between 1881 and 1931, reducing the Muslim population ratio to only 36% in 1901, 32.5% in 1911, 30% in 1921, and 24% in 1931. One explanation for this exodus may be the general anxiety that prevailed among the island's Muslim population during the Balkan and First World wars, when the Ottomans fought against Greece in the former and Britain in the latter. Proclamation of the island as a British colony in 1924 caused further Turkish Cypriot emigration to Anatolia, symptomatic of the weak bond the Cypriot Turkish population had with the town. The Turkish Cypriot population proportion continued to decrease until 1960 when it reached 20%.[16]

British rule

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Map of Kyrenia in 1878

In 1878, following a secret agreement between theBritishandOttomangovernments, the island was ceded to Great Britain as a military base in the eastern Mediterranean. At first Great Britain did not undertake major administrative changes, so Kyrenia remained the district's capital. A road was constructed through the mountain pass to connect the town toNicosia,the island's capital, and the harbour was repaired and expanded to accommodate increasing trade with the opposite coast. The town's municipal affairs were put in order and the municipal council took an active role in cleaning and modernizing the town.

In 1893, a hospital was built through private contributions and effort. By the 1900s (decade), Kyrenia was a buzzing little town with a new school building, its own newspaper, and social, educational, and athletic clubs. It was also a favoured vacation spot for many wealthy Nicosian families. Many homes were converted into pensions and boardinghouses and in 1906, the first hotel, Akteon, was built by the sea.

St Andrew's Church is part of the Anglican church'sDiocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.

These first decades of British rule however, also saw increased economic hardship for the population. High taxation, frequent droughts, and a world economic depression were precipitating factors for a mass exodus of people from the town and district, first to Egypt and then to the United States. The transfer of the island to British rule also prompted anxiety in theTurkish Cypriotpopulation, whose numbers stagnated as a significant emigration toAnatoliatook place. Meanwhile, the ratio of theGreek Cypriotsgrew significantly from 49% to 67%.[16]

In 1922, theEpiscopal seeof Kyrenia relocated back to the town after the completion of a newmetropolitanbuilding. That same year, theGreco-Turkish warbrought to a halt all trade with the opposite coast causing a serious economic depression.

Costas Catsellis, a young repatriate from the United States, came to the rescue by building the town's first modern hotels, the Seaview in 1922 and the Dome in 1932. Kyrenia's mild climate, picturesque harbour, numerous archeological sites, panoramic views that combined sea, mountains and vegetation, coupled with modern amenities, soon attracted many travellers and Kyrenia's economy revived through tourism.

After the Second World War, more hotels were built and the town remained a favoured vacation spot for people from Nicosia and foreign travellers alike. To the town's Greek and Turkish inhabitants were added many fromGreat Britain,who chose Kyrenia as their permanent place of residence.

1960-present

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Kyrenia Harbour in 1967

In 1960, Cyprus gained its independence from Great Britain. However, the intercommunal conflict that broke out in 1963–64 between the island's Greek and Turkish population again eroded Kyrenia's prosperity. While skirmishes in Kyrenia were minimal, theTurkish Resistance Organisationdid blockade the Kyrenia-Nicosia road and occupy Saint Hilarion castle.

Despite these difficulties, the 1960s and early 1970s was a period of lively cultural and economic activity. A new town hall was built and a Folklore Museum established. The ancient shipwreck[17]already alluded to was reassembled, together with all its amphorae and cargo, and permanently exhibited at the castle. The number of new hotels and tourists multiplied and a new road was constructed in the early 1970s connecting the town to Nicosia from the east. The town's cultural activities greatly increased. Other than the many traditional cultural and religious fairs and festivals annually celebrated, flower shows, yachting races, concerts and theater performances were organized. Kyrenia, the smallest of Cypriot towns, was undoubtedly the island's most precious jewel.

According to the 1973 census, 67.7% of the city's inhabitants wereGreek Cypriots,while theTurkish Cypriotsmade up 25.1% of the population.[16]The town's inhabitants, Greek, Turk,Maronite,Armenian,Latin and British peacefully coexisted and cooperated in their daily affairs and the town had grown beyond its two historic neighbourhoods of Kato (Lower) Kyrenia and Pano (Upper) Kyrenia. It expanded towards the mountain slopes to form the new neighbourhood of "California", and eastward it had just about reached the outskirts of Thermia, Karakoumi and Ayios Georgios.

On 20 July 1974, theTurkish army invadedCyprusin response to acoup d'étatcarried out byEOKA Band theGreek military junta of 1967–1974,[18]landing at 5-Mile point, west of Kyrenia. Gaining ground against the local forces, theTurkish Armyreached Kyrenia on 22 July 1974 during the UN-sponsored cease fire.[citation needed]The majority of the Greek Cypriot population of the city fled in the wake of the Turkish advance. A small group of Greek Cypriots who tried to remain within Kyrenia were kept in the Dome Hotel until October 1975, after which they were taken toBellapais;the total number of the displaced Kyrenian Greek Cypriots were around 2,650. Subsequently, Turkish Cypriots displaced from elsewhere in Cyprus and immigrants from Turkey moved in, with the result that the town's present ethnic make-up is predominantly Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot.[16]

Cityscape

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Harbour

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In its heyday, just before the British occupation of the island in 1878, Kyrenia harbour was a quiet, often ignored, port between Cyprus and other countries in Europe and the Middle East. From there localCaïques,Cypriot owned - Greek and Turkish Cypriot - and Greek owned, conducted a thriving trade. Depending on the season, they exported wheat and olives, donkeys and goats and much more. Larger boats, mostly from Europe, arrived in the late fall and early winter to take in the crop of carobs, the main export item of the area. The caiques brought in wood, earthenware, legumes, cheese, butter, and even small luxuries items such as silk and cotton cloth, buttons and odd pieces of furniture. Slowly, two storied buildings emerged around the harbour as the owners used the lower floor as warehouses and the second floor as their residences.

The town's trade with the Anatolian coast and beyond the Levant sea was badly affected when in 1885, the then British government of the island began the Kyrenia harbour works that left the harbor wide open to the northern gales. Slowly, over the next decades, scores of caiques were wrecked within Kyrenia harbour, with their owners often unable to recover from the loss.

Kyrenia harbour is currently a tourist location.

As of December 2022, a restoration of the Harbour has begun and is expected to be complete by June 2023.[19]

Architecture

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Panorama of Kyrenia Castle (Girne Kalesi)

Kyrenia Castleat the east end of the old harbour is a spectacular site. The castle dates back to Byzantine times and has served the Byzantines, Crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans, and British. Within its walls there is a 12th-century chapel containing reused lateRomancapitols, and a shipwreck museum. Huge round towers that the Venetians built in 1540 occupy the corners. These strengthened the castle against the artillery of the time.[citation needed].

Archangelos Church and Icon Museum

The town has an icon museum housed in achurchthat had been dedicated to theArchangel Michael.Not far from it there are some tombs cut into the rock dating from about the 4th century. Behind the harbour are the ruins of a small Christian church, and in the harbour is a small tower from which adefensive chaincould be slung to close the harbour to any enemies. The Anglican Church of St. Andrews is behind the castle, close to the bus station, and is open all year round.

Bellapais Abbey inner court

An example of Ottoman architecture in the city centre is theAgha Cafer Pasha Mosque,built in 1589–90.[20]The city is also home to four 19th century fountains[21]and an Ottoman-era cemetery where soldiers serving at the castle and victims of contagious diseases are rumoured to have been interred.[22]

Bellapais Abbey(from theFrench"abbaye de la paix" which means the Peace Monastery), in the northern village of Bellapais, was constructed between 1198 and 1205. The main building as it can be seen today was built during the 13th century by French Augustinian monks, and specifically during the rule ofKing Hugh III1267–1284. The pavilions around the courtyard and the refectory were constructed during the rule ofKing Hugh IVbetween 1324 and 1359. You can also see the AncientGreek OrthodoxChurch of Mother Mary Robed in White.

Outside the town, on theKyrenia mountain range,areBuffavento Castle,St. Hilarion CastleandKantara Castle,all of which are thought to have been constructed by the Byzantines following the Arab raids on the island. DuringLusignanrule, Buffavento Castle was a prison and called 'Château du Lion'. There the despot Byzantine king of the island,Isaac Comnenus,is said to have fled afterRichard the Lion Heartconquered Cyprus in 1191. The mountaintop castle of St. Hilarion dominates the town of Kyrenia and is visible for many miles along the coast. Historical records show that the castle was originally a monastery, founded about 800 when a monk by the name of Hilarion chose the site for his hermitage. Later, perhaps in 1100, the monastery was changed into a castle. The easternmost of the three castles is Kantara castle. Sources only mention the castle in the year 1191, when Richard Lion-Heart captured the island.

Climate

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Kyrenia has ahot-summer Mediterranean climate(Köppen climate classificationCsa) with long, dry and hot summers and cool winters with mixed weather of sunny spells and rain. Kyrenia is among the wettest places in coastal Cyprus.

Climate data for Kyrenia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 16
(61) 		17
(63) 		19
(66) 		22
(72) 		26
(79) 		30
(86) 		33
(91) 		33
(91) 		31
(88) 		27
(81) 		23
(73) 		18
(64) 		25
(76)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 9
(48) 		9
(48) 		10
(50) 		12
(54) 		16
(61) 		20
(68) 		22
(72) 		23
(73) 		21
(70) 		17
(63) 		14
(57) 		11
(52) 		15
(60)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 117
(4.6) 		79
(3.1) 		60
(2.4) 		20
(0.8) 		13
(0.5) 		2
(0.1) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		5
(0.2) 		37
(1.5) 		68
(2.7) 		133
(5.2) 		534
(21.1)
Average rainy days 13 10 7 4 2 0 0 0 1 3 7 11 58
Mean monthlysunshine hours 179.8 173.6 220.1 252 316.2 360 375.1 365.8 300 251.1 186 155 3,134.7
Source 1: BBC Weather[23]
Source 2: K.K.T.C[24]

Economy

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One of the many seaside facilities around Kyrenia

Kyrenia is the centre of tourism in Northern Cyprus[25]and one of the most important cities of Cyprus in terms of tourism.[26]It hosts numerous shopping areas and malls, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife with a number of entertainment facilities.[25][27]The harbour, in particular, is lined with cafés, bars and restaurants frequented by locals and tourists.[26]In 2009, it had 93 hotels, nine of which had five stars.[28]

In early 2000s, the city and the surrounding area saw a construction boom due to the positive mood created by theAnnan Plan for Cyprus.Between 2001 and 2003, construction cases per year increased by more than three times and the city saw a great amount of property being sold to foreigners. The construction boom resulted in the building of numerous housing estates and apartment buildings.[29]The city continued to receive heavy investment throughout the decade and is still a centre of investment. However, the recession that struck Northern Cyprus at the end of the 2000s and the beginning of 2010s affected the city and caused great difficulty for the small-scale entrepreneurs and shop owners to maintain their businesses. An important part of the economy consists of tourists that come to visit casinos, but this does not necessarily provide benefits for the local businesses.[30]

In addition to its historical harbour, Kyrenia is home to a port named the Kyrenia Touristic Port, opened in 1987. This port is a major transport hub in Northern Cyprus due to its relative proximity to Turkey and is home to commercial activity, while being a place of entry for tourists who choose to travel by ferry. It has contributed to the flow of commercial products and tourists between Turkey and Northern Cyprus.[31]

Culture

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Street art in Kyrenia: steps painted in rainbow colours

Kyrenia annually hosts the Kyrenia Festival of Culture and Arts for the whole month of June. The festival includes concerts ranging from popular Turkish bands and singers, such asDuman,Sertab ErenerandZülfü Livanelito Latin music and reggae in the city's amphitheatre and theRamadan Cemil Square,talk shows, plays and musicals performed by theatrical groups from Turkey. The festival in 2012 saw the participation of 500-600 artists and performers. It has also hosted international performers such as the bandsUB40andThe Animalsand invited street artists from Europe for performances. It has also been praised for its inclusive approach to local musicians as a way of encouraging cultural activity in Northern Cyprus.[32][33][34]Under mayor Nidai Güngördü, the festival was renamed "Kyrenia Days of Culture and Arts" with activities spread from May to September.[35]

The city hosted the Golden Island International Film Festival in 2014, the first time such an organization took place in Northern Cyprus. 20 Turkish Cypriot films were shown in the festival as well as foreign films.[36][37]

The city is home to various musical activities. One such activity is the annual InternationalBellapaisMusic Festival, in which notable Turkish Cypriot musicians, such as the pianistRüya Tanerand international musicians participate.[38]Another such organization is the Bellapais Spring Music Festival, which features operas and classical music concerts from Turkish Cypriot, Turkish and international individuals and institutions.[39]

Education

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The city has five universities:Girne American University,theUniversity of Kyrenia,Final International Universityand theCyprus Science University.ARUCAD (Arkın University of creative arts and design)

Notable people

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International relations

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See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Northern Cyprus

Twin towns – sister cities

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Kyrenia is unofficiallytwinnedwith:

[edit]
  • A view from the Kyrenia Castle
    A view from theKyrenia Castle
  • The Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum
    The Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum
  • The new harbour of Kyrenia
    The new harbour of Kyrenia

References

[edit]
  1. ^In 1983, theTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprusunilaterallydeclared independencefrom the Republic ofCyprus.Thede factostate is notrecognisedby any UN state exceptTurkey.
  2. ^Northern Cyprus High Election Board[Northern Cyprus High Election Board], Northern Cyprus High Election Board
  3. ^KKTC Yerel Yönetimler Raporu 2019[TRNC Regional Administrations Report 2019](PDF),TRNC State Planning Organization, December 2020, p. 5
  4. ^KKTC Yerel Yönetimler Raporu 2019[TRNC Regional Administrations Report 2019](PDF),TRNC State Planning Organization, December 2020, p. 4
  5. ^Şahin, Sanem (2011)."Open borders, closed minds: The discursive construction of national identity in North Cyprus"(PDF).Media, Culture & Society.33(4): 583–597.doi:10.1177/0163443711398694.S2CID42106005.Retrieved10 July2016.
  6. ^Fındık, Ünal (1998)."Örnek olaylarla belediyecilik: II. Girne Kent Kurultayı"(PDF).Çağdaş Yerel Yönetimler(in Turkish).7(1): 116–122. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 27 January 2017.Retrieved10 July2016.Girne, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti'nin turizm başkenti olarak anılmaktadır.
  7. ^A number of press reports, including:
    Diyalog:"Kuzey Kıbrıs'ın turizm başkenti Girne'de"
    Hürriyet:"Girne, Kuzey Kıbrıs’ın ‘’turizm başkenti.’’"
    Kıbrıs:Google Search result
  8. ^[1]Archived3 January 2015 at theWayback Machine
  9. ^Strabo,Geography,14.6,on Perseus
  10. ^Martyrologium Romanum(Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001ISBN978-88-209-7210-3)
  11. ^Michel Lequien,Oriens christianus in quatuor Patriarchatus digestus,Paris 1740, Vol. II, coll. 1073-1074
  12. ^Edbury, P. W. (1991).The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades, 1191-1374.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 61.ISBN9780511562402.
  13. ^Coureas, Nicholas (2005). "Economy". In Nicolaou-Konnari, Angel; Schabel, Chris (eds.).Cyprus: Society and Culture 1191-1374.BRILL. p. 123.
  14. ^Arbel, Benjamin (2000). "Cypriot Population under Venetian Rule (1473-1571): A Demographic Study".Cyprus, the Franks and Venice, 13th-16th Centuries.Ashgate. p. 187.
  15. ^"University of Kyrenia – Girne Üniversitesi | About Kyrenia".University of Kyrenia – Girne Üniversitesi(in Italian). Archived fromthe originalon 27 January 2017.Retrieved8 April2016.
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