Famagusta

The city was known as Arsinoe or Arsinoë ({{langx|grc|Ἀρσινόη}}, Arsinóē) in antiquity,{{cite web|title=ARSINOE Cyprus|url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0006%3Aentry%3Darsinoe-1|publisher=The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites|access-date=11 June 2017}} after Ptolemy II of Egypt's sister and wife Arsinoe II.

By the 3rd century, the city appears as Ammochostos ({{langx|grc|Ἀμμόχωστος}} or {{lang|el|Αμμόχωστος}}, Ammókhōstos, "Hidden in Sand") in the Stadiasmus Maris Magni.[https://topostext.org/work/217#304 Anonymous Stadiasmus of the Great Sea, 304] This name is still used in modern Greek with the pronunciation {{IPA|el|aˈmoxostos|}}, while it developed into Latin {{lang|la|Fama Augusta}}, French {{lang|fr|Famagouste}}, Italian {{lang|it|Famagosta}}, and English {{lang|la|Famagusta}} during the medieval period. Its informal modern Turkish name Mağusa ({{IPA|tr|maˈusa}}) came from the same source. On 25 December 1975, the formal name in Northern Cyprus was changed by an act of parliament to Gazimağusa ({{IPA|tr|ɡaːzimaˈusa|}}) with the addition of the title {{lang|tr|gazi}}, meaning "veteran".{{cite web |title=MAĞUSA'YA "GAZİ" ÜNVANININ VERİLİŞİ İLK KEZ DEVLET TÖRENİ İLE KUTLANDI |date=28 December 2023 |url=https://www.gazimagusabelediyesi.org/magusaya-gazi-unvaninin-verilisi-ilk-kez-devlet-toreni-ile-kutlandi/ |publisher=Gazimağusa Municipality |access-date=31 October 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Feyzioğlu |first1=Bülent |title=Mağusa "Gazi" mi değil mi? |url=https://kibrisgazetesi.com/yazar/bulentfevzioglu/konu/magusa-gazimi-degil-mi-3/ |publisher=Kıbrıs Gazetesi |access-date=31 October 2024 |date=9 December 2023}}

In the early medieval period, the city was also known as New Justiniana ({{langx|grc|Νέα Ἰουστινιανία}}, Néa Ioustinianía) in appreciation for the patronage of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, whose wife Theodora was born there.

The old town of Famagusta has also been nicknamed "the City of 365 Churches"{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}{{clarify|date=February 2024}} from the legend that, at its peak, it boasted a church for every day of the year.

The city was founded around 274 BC, after the serious damage to Salamis by an earthquake, by Ptolemy II Philadelphus and named "Arsinoe" after his sister.{{cite web|title=Brief History|url=http://www.famagusta.org.cy/default.asp?id=329|publisher=Ammochostos Municipality|access-date=4 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924010202/http://www.famagusta.org.cy/default.asp?id=329|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}} Arsinoe was described as a "fishing town" by Strabo in his Geographica in the first century BC. In essence, Famagusta was the successor of the most famous and most important ancient city of Cyprus, Salamis. According to Greek mythology, Salamis was founded after the end of the Trojan War by Teucros, the son of Telamon and brother of Aedes, from the Greek island of Salamis.

The city experienced great prosperity much later, during the time of the Byzantine emperor Justinian. To honor the city, from which his wife Theodora came, Justinian enriched it with many buildings, while the inhabitants named it New Justiniania to express their gratitude. In {{nowrap|AD 647}}, when the neighboring cities were destroyed by Arab raiding, the inhabitants of these cities moved to Famagusta, as a result of which the city's population increased significantly and the city experienced another boom.

Later, when Jerusalem was occupied by the Arabs, the Christian population fled to Famagusta, as a result of which the city became an important Christian center, but also one of the most important commercial centers in the eastern Mediterranean.

File:The Ramparts, Famagusta.jpg

File:St. Peter & Paul C.jpg

The turning point for Famagusta was 1192 with the onset of Lusignan rule. It was during this period that Famagusta developed as a fully-fledged town. It increased in importance to the Eastern Mediterranean due to its natural harbour and the walls that protected its inner town. Its population began to increase. This development accelerated in the 13th century as the town became a centre of commerce for both the East and West. An influx of Christian refugees fleeing the downfall of Acre (1291) in Palestine transformed it from a tiny village into one of the richest cities in Christendom.

In 1372 the port was seized by Genoa and in 1489 by Venice. This commercial activity turned Famagusta into a place where merchants and ship owners led lives of luxury. By the mid-14th century, Famagusta was said to have the richest citizens in the world.{{sfn|Langdale|2010|p=159}} The belief that people's wealth could be measured by the churches they built inspired these merchants to have churches built in varying styles. These churches, which still exist, were the reason Famagusta came to be known as "the district of churches". The development of the town focused on the social lives of the wealthy people and was centred upon the Lusignan palace, the cathedral, the Square and the harbour.

File:Repubblica di Genova.png|Territories, colonies and trade routes of the Republic of Genoa

File:Repubblica di Venezia.png|Territories, colonies and trade routes of the Republic of Venice

File:Konrad von Grünenberg - Beschreibung der Reise von Konstanz nach Jerusalem - Blatt 26v-27r.jpg|View of Famagusta in the 1480s, from Beschreibung der Reise von Konstanz nach Jerusalem

File:ammoxostos.jpg "Description exact des iles des l'Archipel", Amsterdam, 1703.]]

{{Further| Marco Antonio Bragadin}}

In 1570–1571, Famagusta was the last stronghold in Venetian Cyprus to hold out against the Turks under Mustafa Pasha. It resisted a siege of thirteen months and a terrible bombardment, until at last the garrison surrendered. The Ottoman forces had lost 50,000 men, including Mustafa Pasha's son. Although the surrender terms had stipulated that the Venetian forces be allowed to return home, the Venetian commander, Marco Antonio Bragadin, was flayed alive, his lieutenant Tiepolo was hanged, and many other Christians were killed.{{cite book| last = Kinross| first = Lord| title = Ottoman Centuries| year = 2002| publisher = Harper Perennial| isbn = 978-0-688-08093-8| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/ottomancenturies00kinr}}

File:Famagusta 01-2017 img26 city walls Othello Tower.jpg walls]]

With the advent of the Ottoman rule, Latins lost their privileged status in Famagusta and were expelled from the city. Greek Cypriots natives were at first allowed to own and buy property in the city, but were banished from the walled city in 1573–74 and had to settle outside in the area that later developed into Varosha. Turkish families from Anatolia were resettled in the walled city but could not fill the buildings that previously hosted a population of 10,000.{{Harvnb|Uluca|2006|pages=73–5}} This caused a drastic decrease in the population of Famagusta. Merchants from Famagusta, who mostly consisted of Latins that had been expelled, resettled in Larnaca and as Larnaca flourished, Famagusta lost its importance as a trade centre.{{cite book|last1=Gazioğlu|first1=Ahmet C.|title=The Turks in Cyprus: A Province of the Ottoman Empire (1571-1878)|date=1990|publisher=K. Rustem & Brother|location=London|page=149}} Over time, Varosha developed into a prosperous agricultural town thanks to its location away from the marshes, whilst the walled city remained dilapidated.

In the walled city, some buildings were repurposed to serve the interests of the Muslim population: the Cathedral of St. Nicholas was converted to a mosque (now known as Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque), a bazaar was developed, public baths, fountains and a theological school were built to accommodate the inhabitants' needs. Dead end streets, an Ottoman urban characteristic, was imported to the city and a communal spirit developed in which a small number of two-storey houses inhabited by the small upper class co-existed with the widespread one-storey houses.{{cite web|last1=Dağlı|first1=Uğur Ulaş|title=Story of a Town|url=http://www.magusa.org/en/story-of-a-town.html|publisher=Municipality of Famagusta|access-date=28 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406183521/http://magusa.org/en/story-of-a-town.html|archive-date=6 April 2016}}

File:Famagysta.jpeg

File:CinemaXXampi.jpg was established in 1948.]]

With the British takeover, Famagusta regained its significance as a port and an economic centre and its development was specifically targeted in British plans. As soon as the British took over the island, a Famagusta Development Act was passed that aimed at the reconstruction and redevelopment of the city's streets and dilapidated buildings as well as better hygiene. The port was developed and expanded between 1903 and 1906 and Cyprus Government Railway, with its terminus in Famagusta, started construction in 1904. Whilst Larnaca continued to be used as the main port of the island for some time, after Famagusta's use as a military base in World War I trade significantly shifted to Famagusta.{{Harvnb|Uluca|2006|pages=81–4}} The city outside the walls grew at an accelerated rate, with development being centred around Varosha. Varosha became the administrative centre as the British moved their headquarters and residences there and tourism grew significantly in the last years of the British rule. Pottery and production of citrus and potatoes also significantly grew in the city outside the walls, whilst agriculture within the walled city declined to non-existence.

New residential areas were built to accommodate the increasing population towards the end of the British rule, and by 1960, Famagusta was a modern port city{{cite book|last1=Mirbagheri|first1=Farid|title=Historical Dictionary of Cyprus|date=2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press|pages=62–3|isbn=9780810862982|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f82Jn_H4VukC&pg=62}} extending far beyond Varosha and the walled city.

The British period saw a significant demographic shift in the city. In 1881, Christians constituted 60% of the city's population while Muslims were at 40%. By 1960, the Turkish Cypriot population had dropped to 17.5% of the overall population, while the Greek Cypriot population had risen to 70%.{{cite web|title=FAMAGUSTA/AMMOCHOSTOS|url=http://www.prio-cyprus-displacement.net/default.asp?id=568|publisher=PRIO Cyprus Displacement Centre|access-date=28 March 2016}} The city was also the site for one of the British internment camps for nearly 50,000 Jewish survivors of the Holocaust trying to emigrate to Palestine.

File:ST. NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL, FAMAGUSTA, CYPRUS.jpg

From independence in 1960 to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus of 1974, Famagusta developed toward the south west of Varosha as a well-known entertainment and tourist centre. The contribution of Famagusta to the country's economic activity by 1974 far exceeded its proportional dimensions within the country. Whilst its population was only about 7% of the total of the country, Famagusta by 1974 accounted for over 10% of the total industrial employment and production of Cyprus, concentrating mainly on light industry compatible with its activity as a tourist resort and turning out high-quality products ranging from food, beverages and tobacco to clothing, footwear, plastics, light machinery and transport equipment. It contributed 19.3% of the business units and employed 21.3% of the total number of persons engaged in commerce on the island. It acted as the main tourist destination of Cyprus, hosting 31.5% of the hotels and 45% of Cyprus' total bed capacity.{{cite web |url=http://www.famagusta.org.cy/default.asp?id=329 |title=Famagusta Municipality |publisher=Famagusta.org.cy |access-date=2013-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501005238/http://www.famagusta.org.cy/default.asp?id=329 |archive-date=2013-05-01 |url-status=dead }} Varosha acted as the main touristic and business quarters.

In this period, the urbanisation of Famagusta slowed down and the development of the rural areas accelerated. Therefore, economic growth was shared between the city of Famagusta and the district, which had a balanced agricultural economy, with citrus, potatoes, tobacco and wheat as main products. Famagusta maintained good communications with this hinterland. The city's port remained the island's main seaport and in 1961, it was expanded to double its capacity in order to accommodate the growing volume of exports and imports. The port handled 42.7% of Cypriot exports, 48.6% of imports and 49% of passenger traffic.{{sfn|Cyprus Today 2010}}

There has not been an official census since 1960 but the population of the town in 1974 was estimated to be around 39,000 not counting about 12,000–15,000 persons commuting daily from the surrounding villages and suburbs to work in Famagusta. The number of people staying in the city would swell to about 90,000–100,000 during the peak summer tourist period, with the influx of tourists from numerous European countries, mainly Britain, France, Germany and the Scandinavian countries. The majority of the city population were Greek Cypriots (26,500), with 8,500 Turkish Cypriots and 4,000 people from other ethnic groups.{{cite book|last1=Mirbagheri|first1=Farid|title=Historical Dictionary of Cyprus|date=2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0810862982|page=63}}

File:Victory_monument_in_Famagusta.jpg

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. It took two days for the Turkish Army to occupy the city, prior to which Famagusta's entire Greek Cypriot population had fled into surrounding fields. As a result of Turkish airstrikes dozens of civilians died, including tourists.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}{{cite book |last1=O'Malley |first1=Brendan |url=https://archive.org/details/cyprusconspiracy0000omal |title=The Cyprus conspiracy : America, espionage, and the Turkish reinvasion - (Taken down) |last2=Craig |first2=Ian |last3=Craig |first3=Ian |publisher=I.B. Tauris |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-86064-737-6 |location=London |pages=[https://archive.org/details/cyprusconspiracy00omal/page/n208 192], 216 |url-access=limited}}

Unlike other parts of the Turkish-controlled areas of Cyprus, the Varosha suburb of Famagusta was fenced off by the Turkish army immediately after being captured and remained fenced off until October 2020, when the TRNC reopened some streets to visitors. Some Greek Cypriots who had fled Varosha have been allowed to view the town and journalists have been allowed in.{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Johnny |title=Returning to a War-Torn Ghost Town Sealed for 50 years: Cyprus, UNCHARTED Ep. 1 |website=YouTube |date=14 October 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7_TZagxjyk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/p7_TZagxjyk| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=17 October 2021}}{{cbignore}}

UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Famagusta by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and unjust and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. The UN's Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.{{Cite web|url=https://cyprusnewsgazette.com/un-security-council-resolutions-on-famagusta-must-be-respected-us-ambassador-stresses/|title=UN Security Council resolutions on Famagusta must be respected, US Ambassador stresses – Cyprus News Gazette|access-date=2020-11-26|archive-date=2022-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329093131/https://cyprusnewsgazette.com/un-security-council-resolutions-on-famagusta-must-be-respected-us-ambassador-stresses/|url-status=dead}}

{{Weather box

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| collapsed =

| open =

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| trace =

| location = Famagusta, 2017-2024 normals

| Jan high C =17.4

| Feb high C =17.9

| Mar high C =20.0

| Apr high C =23.5

| May high C =27.6

| Jun high C =31.4

| Jul high C =34.4

| Aug high C =34.3

| Sep high C =32.3

| Oct high C =28.6

| Nov high C =23.9

| Dec high C =20.0

| year high C =

| Jan mean C =12.9

| Feb mean C =13.0

| Mar mean C =14.8

| Apr mean C =18.1

| May mean C =22.6

| Jun mean C =26.4

| Jul mean C =29.5

| Aug mean C =29.3

| Sep mean C =26.5

| Oct mean C =23.2

| Nov mean C =19.2

| Dec mean C =15.5

| year mean C =

| Jan low C =8.3

| Feb low C =8.2

| Mar low C =9.6

| Apr low C =12.6

| May low C =17.7

| Jun low C =21.4

| Jul low C =24.5

| Aug low C =24.2

| Sep low C =21.4

| Oct low C =17.7

| Nov low C =14.4

| Dec low C =11.0

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| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm =82.9

| Feb precipitation mm =41.6

| Mar precipitation mm =32.4

| Apr precipitation mm =20.0

| May precipitation mm =14.8

| Jun precipitation mm =2.2

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| source = Meteomanz{{Cite web|url=http://www.meteomanz.com/sy3?l=1&cou=6290&ind=17540&m1=01&y1=2000&m2=12&y2=2024 |title=Gazimamosha weather data by months |website=Meteomanz |access-date= 13 April 2025}}

}}

File:City center Famagusta roundabout.jpg

Famagusta's historic city centre is surrounded by the fortifications of Famagusta, which have a roughly rectangular shape, built mainly by the Venetians in the 15th and 16th centuries, though some sections of the walls have been dated earlier times, as far as 1211.{{Harvnb|Uluca|2006|page=102}} Some important landmarks and visitor attractions in the old city are:{{cite web|title=Gazimağusa|url=http://ttpd.gov.ct.tr/Portals/1074/%C5%9Eehir/Gazimagusa/gazimagusa%20sehir%20rehberi.pdf|publisher=TRNC Department of Tourism and|access-date=31 December 2015}}{{cite web|title=Tarihi Yerler|url=http://www.magusa.org/tr/kent-rehberi/tarihi-yerler.html|publisher=Famagusta Municipality|access-date=31 December 2015|language=tr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506090316/http://www.magusa.org/tr/kent-rehberi/tarihi-yerler.html|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Dreghorn|first1=William|title=FAMAGUSTA & SALAMIS: A Guide Book|url=http://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~durduran/drfm1.html#church|publisher=Rustem & Bro. Publishing House|access-date=31 December 2015}}{{cite web|title=What to see in Famagusta?|url=http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/city/famagusta/fm-places.htm|publisher=Cypnet|access-date=31 December 2015}}

• The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque
• The Othello Castle
• Palazzo del Provveditore - the Venetian palace of the governor, built on the site of the former Lusignan royal palace
• St. Francis' Church
• Sinan Pasha Mosque
• Church of St. George of the Greeks
• Church of St. George of the Latins
• Twin Churches
• Nestorian Church (of St George the Exiler)
• Namık Kemal Dungeon
• Agios Ioannis Church
• Venetian House
• Akkule Masjid
• Mustafa Pasha Mosque
• Ganchvor monastery

In an October 2010 report titled Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, Global Heritage Fund listed Famagusta, a "maritime ancient city of crusader kings", among the 12 sites most "On the Verge" of irreparable loss and destruction, citing insufficient management and development pressures.[http://globalheritagefund.org/index.php/what_we_do/sites_on_the_verge/ Global Heritage Fund {{pipe}} GHF] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820022935/http://globalheritagefund.org/index.php/what_we_do/sites_on_the_verge/ |date=August 20, 2012 }}

{{see also|Port of Famagusta}}

File:Famagusta 01-2017 img28 sea port.jpg

Famagusta is an important commercial hub of Northern Cyprus. The main economic activities in the city are tourism, education, construction and industrial production. It has a 115-acre free port, which is the most important seaport of Northern Cyprus for travel and commerce.Guide to Foreign Investors (2004), TRNC State Planning Organization, p. 18-19. The port is an important source of income and employment for the city, though its volume of trade is restricted by the embargo against Northern Cyprus. Its historical sites, including the walled city, Salamis, the Othello Castle and the St Barnabas Church, as well as the sandy beaches surrounding it make it a tourist attraction; efforts are also underway to make the city more attractive for international congresses. The Eastern Mediterranean University is also an important employer and supplies significant income and activity, as well as opportunities for the construction sector. The university also raises a qualified workforce that stimulates the city's industry and makes communications industry viable. The city has two industrial zones: the Large Industrial Zone and the Little Industrial Zone. The city is also home to a fishing port, but inadequate infrastructure of the port restricts the growth of this sector.{{cite book|title=Ülkesel Fizik Plan - Bölüm VI. Bölge Strateji ve Politikaları|date=2012|publisher=TRNC Department of City Planning|pages=9–29|url=http://ulkeselfizikplan.spd.gov.ct.tr/dosyalar/plan/bolum6/#/8|language=tr|access-date=2015-08-11|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202063657/http://ulkeselfizikplan.spd.gov.ct.tr/dosyalar/plan/bolum6/#/8|url-status=dead}} The industry in the city has traditionally been concentrated on processing agricultural products.{{cite journal|last1=Mor|first1=Ahmet|last2=Çitci|first2=M. Dursun|title=KUZEY KIBRIS TÜRK CUMHURİYETİ'NDE EKONOMİK ETKİNLİKLER|journal=Fırat University Journal of Social Science|date=2006|volume=16|issue=1|pages=33–61|url=http://web.firat.edu.tr/sosyalbil/dergi/arsiv/cilt16/sayi1/33-61.pdf|language=tr|access-date=2016-03-28|archive-date=2020-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110015636/http://web.firat.edu.tr/sosyalbil/dergi/arsiv/cilt16/sayi1/33-61.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Historically, the port was the primary source of income and employment for the city, especially right after 1974. However, it gradually lost some of its importance to the economy as the share of its employees in the population of Famagusta diminished due to various reasons.{{cite web|last1=Atun|first1=Ata|title=Gazimağusa Limanının önemini kaybetme nedenleri ve kente olumlu ve olumsuz etkileri|url=http://www.journalacademic.com/Papers/publications/1999/18/Liman%20ve%20Kent.htm|website=journalacademic.com|publisher=Eastern Mediterranean University Famagusta Symposium of 1999|access-date=12 August 2015|language=tr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070941/http://www.journalacademic.com/Papers/publications/1999/18/Liman%20ve%20Kent.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} However, it still is the primary port for commerce in Northern Cyprus, with more than half of ships that came to Northern Cyprus in 2013 coming to Famagusta. It is the second most popular seaport for passengers, after Kyrenia, with around 20,000 passengers using the port in 2013.{{cite web|title=KKTC Limanlarında bir yılda 2 milyon ton yük|url=http://www.kaptanhaber.com/GAZETE/36708/1/|publisher=Kaptan Haber|access-date=12 August 2015|language=tr}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The mayor-in-exile of Famagusta is Simos Ioannou.{{Cite news|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/08/25/simos-ioannou-elected-mayor-of-famagusta/|title=Simos Ioannou elected Mayor of Famagusta|date=August 25, 2019|work=Cyprus Mail}} Süleyman Uluçay heads the Turkish Cypriot municipal administration of Famagusta, which remains legal as a communal-based body under the constitutional system of the Republic of Cyprus.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/portal/portal.nsf/0/f7eb7480579b1a50c2256fdb0040a003?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=5#_Section5 |title=The Constitution – Appendix D: Part 12 – Miscellaneous Provisions |access-date=2011-04-07 |archive-date=2012-08-05 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805123156/http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/portal/portal.nsf/0/f7eb7480579b1a50c2256fdb0040a003?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=5%23_Section5 |url-status=dead }}

Since 1974, Greek Cypriots submitted a number of proposals within the context of bicommunal discussions for the return of Varosha to UN administration, allowing the return of its previous inhabitants, requesting also the opening of Famagusta harbour for use by both communities. Varosha would have been returned to Greek Cypriot control as part of the 2004 Annan Plan but the plan had been rejected by a majority(3/4) of Greek Cypriot voters.{{cite book| last = Mirbagheri| first = Farid| title = Historical dictionary of Cyprus| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pVTsmAEACAAJ&pg=PA63| edition = [Online-Ausg.]| year = 2010| publisher = Scarecrow Press| location = Lanham, Md.| isbn = 978-0-8108-5526-7| page = 62 }}

File:Cipro-Famagosta 4.jpg

The walled city of Famagusta contains many unique buildings. Famagusta has a walled city popular with tourists.Tolgay, Ahmet. [http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/printa.php?col=78&art=18856 Sur içi sendromu: Bir Lefkoşa – Mağusa kıyaslaması...] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130084635/http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/printa.php?col=78&art=18856 |date=2012-11-30 }} (Kıbrıs)

Every year, the International Famagusta Art and Culture Festival is organized in Famagusta. Concerts, dance shows and theater plays take place during the festival.[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cyprus/famagusta-magusa/events/local-festivals-culture/international-famagusta-art-culture-festival International Famagusta Art & Culture Festival] (Lonely Planet); retrieved 2015-08-31.

A growth in tourism and the city's university have fueled{{cite book|last1=Scott|first1=Julie|editor1-last=Brown|editor1-first=Frances|editor2-last=Hall|editor2-first=Derek D.|editor3-last=Hall|editor3-first=Derek R.|title=Tourism in Peripheral Areas: Case Studies|date=2000|publisher=Channel View Publications|page=65|isbn=9781873150238|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4I5I4m2aoTEC&pg=65}} the development of Famagusta's vibrant{{cite news|title=Mağusa geceleri capcanlı|url=http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/?p=270042|access-date=28 March 2016|publisher=Kıbrıs|date=3 May 2008|language=tr}} nightlife. Nightlife in the city is especially active on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights and in the hotter months of the year, starting from April. Larger hotels in the city have casinos that cater to their customers.{{cite web|title=Gece Hayatı|url=http://www.magusa.org/tr/kent-rehberi/kuzey-k%C4%B1br%C4%B1s-rehberi/43-gece-hayat%C4%B1.html|publisher=Municipality of Famagusta|access-date=28 March 2016|language=tr|archive-date=11 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711005844/http://www.magusa.org/tr/kent-rehberi/kuzey-k%C4%B1br%C4%B1s-rehberi/43-gece-hayat%C4%B1.html|url-status=dead}} Salamis Road is an area of Famagusta with a heavy concentration of bars frequented by students and locals.{{cite web|title=Gazimağusa|url=https://gezimanya.com/kuzey-kibris/gazimagusa|publisher=Gezimanya|access-date=28 March 2016|language=tr|archive-date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503044243/https://gezimanya.com/kuzey-kibris/gazimagusa|url-status=dead}}

Famagusta's Othello Castle is the setting for Shakespeare's play Othello.{{cite news|title=Shakespeare's 'Othello Tower', victim of Cyprus's division, to reopen after facelift|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyprus-othello-idUSKBN0OX1HJ20150617|work=Reuters|access-date=4 January 2016|date=17 June 2015}} The city was also the setting for Victoria Hislop's 2015 novel The Sunrise,Victoria Hislop, The Sunrise (London: Headline Review 2015) and Michael Paraskos's 2016 novel In Search of Sixpence.Michael Paraskos, In Search of Sixpence (London: Friction Fiction, 2016) The city is the birthplace of the eponymous hero of the Renaissance proto-novel Fortunatus.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

File:Canbulat stadium Famagusta.jpg

Famagusta was home to many Greek Cypriot sport teams that left the city because of the Turkish invasion and still bear their original names. Most notable football clubs originally from the city are Anorthosis Famagusta FC and Nea Salamis Famagusta FC, both of the Cypriot First Division, which are now based in Larnaca. Usually Anorthosis Famagusta fans are politically right wing where Nea Salamis fans are left wing.

Famagusta is represented by Mağusa Türk Gücü in the Turkish Cypriot First Division. Dr. Fazıl Küçük Stadium is the largest football stadium in Famagusta.{{cite web |url=http://www.ktff.net/index.php?tpl=show_all_league&league_id=19 |title= KIBRIS TÜRK FUTBOL FEDERASYONU - Hoş Geldiniz|website=www.ktff.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009044709/http://www.ktff.net/index.php?tpl=show_all_league&league_id=19 |archive-date=October 9, 2011}} Many Turkish Cypriot sport teams that left Southern Cyprus because of the Cypriot intercommunal violence are based in Famagusta.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

Famagusta is represented by DAÜ Sports Club and Magem Sports Club in North Cyprus First Volleyball Division. Gazimağusa Türk Maarif Koleji represents Famagusta in the North Cyprus High School Volleyball League.[http://www.starkibris.net/index.asp?haberID=86296 STAR KIBRIS GAZETESİ – Şampiyonlar Gazi Mağusa'dan – Liselerarası Voleybol Birinciliği'nde kızlarda Gazi Mağusa Türk Maarif Koleji, erkeklerde Namık Kemal Lisesi rakiplerini y...]

Famagusta has a modern volleyball stadium called the Mağusa Arena.{{cite web |url=http://gundem.emu.edu.tr/contents/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64%3Amausa-arena-acildi&catid=44%3Aspor&Itemid=88&lang=tr |title= Mağusa Arena Açildi|website=gundem.emu.edu.tr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425132250/http://gundem.emu.edu.tr/contents/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64%3Amausa-arena-acildi&catid=44%3Aspor&Itemid=88&lang=tr |archive-date=April 25, 2012}}

File:Emu cy library arial.jpg in Famagusta, 2007.]]

The Eastern Mediterranean University was founded in the city in 1979.[http://www.emu.edu.tr/aboutemu/emuhistory.aspx Eastern Mediterranean University] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429095900/http://www.emu.edu.tr/aboutemu/emuhistory.aspx |date=2011-04-29 }} The Istanbul Technical University founded a campus in the city in 2010.{{cite web|title=Köklü ve öncü bir üniversite|url=http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/?p=610533|publisher=Kıbrıs|access-date=4 January 2016|date=9 January 2015}}

The Cyprus College of Art was founded in Famagusta by the Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos in 1969, before moving to Paphos in 1972 after protests from local hoteliers that the presence of art students in the city was putting off holidaymakers.Michael Paraskos, 'A Voice in the Wilderness: Stass Paraskos and the Cyprus College of Art' in The Cyprus Dossier, no. 8 (2015)

Famagusta has three general hospitals. {{lang|tr|Gazimağusa Devlet Hastahanesi}}, a state hospital, is the biggest hospital in city. {{lang|tr|Gazimağusa Tıp Merkezi}} and {{lang|tr|Gazimağusa Yaşam Hastahanesi}} are private hospitals.

• Saint Barnabas, born and died in Salamis, Famagusta
• Chris Achilleos, illustrator of the book versions on the BBC children's series Doctor Who
• Beran Bertuğ, former Governor of Famagusta, first Cypriot woman to hold this position
• Marios Constantinou, former international Cypriot football midfielder and current manager.
• Eleftheria Eleftheriou, Cypriot singer.
• Derviş Eroğlu, former President of Northern Cyprus
• Alexis Galanos, 7th President of the House of Representatives and Famagusta mayor-in-exile (2006-2019) (Republic of Cyprus)
• Xanthos Hadjisoteriou, Cypriot painter
• Oz Karahan, political activist, President of the Union of Cypriots
• Oktay Kayalp, former Turkish Cypriot Famagusta mayor (Northern Cyprus)
• Harry Luke British diplomat
• Angelos Misos, former international footballer
• Costas Montis was an influential and prolific Greek Cypriot poet, novelist, and playwright born in Famagusta.
• Hal Ozsan, actor (Dawson's Creek, Kyle XY)
• Dimitris Papadakis, a Greek Cypriot politician, who served as a Member of the European Parliament.
• Ṣubḥ-i-Azal, Persian religious leader, lived and died in exile in Famagusta
• Touker Suleyman (born Türker Süleyman), British Turkish Cypriot fashion retail entrepreneur, investor and reality television personality.
• Andrekos Varnava (born 1979), academic, historian and author
• Alexia Vassiliou, singer, left here as a refugee when the town was invaded.{{Cite web |title=Unaccompanied refugee children in Cyprus renew hope for the future through an innovative project |url=https://www.unhcr.org/cy/2018/03/16/unaccompanied-refugee-children-cyprus-renew-hope-future-innovative-project/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=UNHCR Cyprus |language=en}}
• George Vasiliou, former President of Cyprus
• Vamik Volkan, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry
• Derviş Zaim, film director

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Northern Cyprus}}

Famagusta is twinned with:

• İzmir, Turkey (since 1974)
• Corfu, Greece (since 1994){{Cite web |url=http://www.kedke.gr/uploads/twinnedcities.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-12-29 |archive-date=2016-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115172503/http://www.kedke.gr/uploads/twinnedcities.pdf |url-status=dead }}
• Patras, Greece (since 1994)
• Antalya, Turkey (since 1997)
• Salamina (city), Greece (since 1998)
• Struga, North Macedonia
• Athens, Greece (since 2005)
• Mersin, Turkey{{Cite web |title=Our Sister cities |url=http://www.mersin.bel.tr/kardes-sehirlerimiz |access-date=2024-01-22 |archive-date=2020-02-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229063711/http://www.mersin.bel.tr/kardes-sehirlerimiz |url-status=bot: unknown }}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

;Sources

• {{cite journal|title=Famagusta: Regal Capital|journal=Cyprus Today|date=2010|volume=48|issue=3|pages=5–21|url=http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/5bb2d7867fb2fe5dc2257076004d0374/94826AA10915AAD8C225782600375DDB/$file/Cyprus%20Today,%20July%20-%20September%202010.pdf|publisher=Press and Information Office, Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus|ref={{sfnRef|Cyprus Today 2010}}|access-date=2016-03-28|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105044354/http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/5bb2d7867fb2fe5dc2257076004d0374/94826AA10915AAD8C225782600375DDB/$file/Cyprus%20Today,%20July%20-%20September%202010.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• Enlart, Camille (1899). L'art gothique et la Renaissance a Chypre. Paris, pp. 251–255.
• [http://www.magusa.org/en/ Magusa.org (English)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803074632/http://www.magusa.org/en |date=2019-08-03 }}. Official website of Famagusta.
• {{cite book|last1=Gürkan|first1=Muzaffer Haşmet|title=Kıbrıs'ın Sisli Tarihi|date=2008|publisher=Galeri Kültür|edition=1st|language=tr}}
• {{cite journal |title= At the Edge of Empire: Venetian Architecture in Famagusta, Cyprus |last=Langdale |first=Allan |volume=41:No. 1, January |journal=Viator |year=2010 |publisher=Brepols Publishers |pages=155–198|doi=10.1484/J.VIATOR.1.100571 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/4701559 }}
• Smith, William (1854). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. s.v. Arsinoe
• {{Citation |last=Uluca |first=Ege |year=2006 |title=Gazimağusa Kaleiçi'nin Tarihsel Süreç İçindeki Kentsel Gelişimi ve Değişimi|url=https://www.academia.edu/11664807|access-date=4 January 2016|publisher=Istanbul Technical University|type=PhD thesis|language=tr}}

• Weyl Carr, Annemarie (ed.), Famagusta, Volume 1. Art and Architecture (= Mediterranean Nexus 1100-1700. Conflict, Influence and Inspiration in the Mediterranean Area 2), Turnhout: Brepols Publishers, 2014. {{ISBN|978-2-503-54130-3}}
• DVD / Film: The Stones of Famagusta: the Story of a Forgotten City (2008); Allan Langdale, "In a Contested Realm: An Illustrated Guide to the Archaeology and Historical Architecture of Northern Cyprus" (2012).

{{Commons category|Famagusta}}

{{EB1911 poster|Famagusta}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160324103610/http://www.blb-karlsruhe.de/virt_bib/stpeter_pap32/thumbnails-1.php Konrad von Grünenberg], complete online facsimile of Beschreibung der Reise von Konstanz nach Jerusalem.
• [http://www.famagusta.com/ Famagusta City Guide]
• [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/world/europe/cyprus-varosha-reunification.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news Famagusta, 2015] The New York Times feature article
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160811161843/http://1886.u-bordeaux3.fr/items/show/9111 Complete online facsimile of Camile Enlart], L'art gothique et la renaissance en Chypre : illustré de 34 planches et de 421 figures, Paris, E. Leroux, 1899.
• [http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/cyprus/famagusta/famagusta.html Old maps] of Famagusta, [http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/historic_cities.html Historic Cities] site

{{Municipalities of Northern Cyprus}}

{{Municipalities of Cyprus}}

{{Gazimağusa District}}

{{Famagusta District}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places established in the 3rd century BC

Category:Populated places in ancient Cyprus

Category:Cities in ancient Cyprus

Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Northern Cyprus

Category:Municipalities in Famagusta District

Category:Populated places in Gazimağusa District

Category:Populated coastal places in Northern Cyprus

Category:Historic sites in Cyprus