The former Latin Cathedral of St. Nicholas is the most beautiful building in Northern Cyprus and is located in the walled city of Famagusta. A temple with a special fate - a Christian cathedral, which was forced to change God and become a mosque. From this, this shrine becomes even more unique, the combination of Gothic and minaret is impressive, surprising - where else can you see this ...
Let's start with the fact that this temple has changed many names:
originally - Cathedral of St. Nicholas
then Hayasofia Magusa or Hagia Sophia "Hagia Sophia"
and the last - Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque
The construction of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas was begun in 1298. The famous fig tree grows behind the temple; legend says that it was planted at the same time as the construction of the shrine began. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas was built in 1328. The building is also special in that it was built in the radiant Gothic style, which is a rarity outside of France (although the temple was erected by the French - the rulers of the Lusignan clan, to whom the island of Cyprus belonged from 1192 to 1489). The construction of the cathedral proceeded according to a similar project with cathedral Reims in Paris. Thus, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas has another name: "Cyprus Reims".
After Jerusalem fell in 1291, King Lusignan, after his coronation, came to this cathedral to be crowned King of Jerusalem. It was here that the last ruler of Lusignan, Caterina Cornaro, succumbed to the pressure of the Venetians and abdicated.
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas was converted into the Muslim Mosque of Ayasofia Magusa after the capture of Famagusta by the Ottoman army in 1571 . At that time, a minaret was also added to the cathedral, which, surprisingly, very organically fit into the Gothic style. The new name Lala Mustafa Pasha received in 1954 in honor of the Turkish general, who, under the walls of this temple, skinned the still alive captain-general Marco Antonio Bragadin, who led the defense of the city of Famagusta.
The unique status helped the building survive during the Turkish conflict, when many Christian churches were destroyed. They used to say about Famagusta that here you can pray several times a day and all in a new temple - just imagine, there were once 365 churches in Famagusta! Only a part of the buildings have survived to our time. The cathedral was damaged during the bombardments of 1571, when the Turkish troops kept Famagusta under siege, which belonged to the Venetians at that time, and the earthquake of 1735 also affected the building. Despite such a difficult fate, the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque is still a functioning mosque.
Inside the mosque, according to Muslim practice, all images of the human form were removed and the frescoes on the walls were covered with plaster, and who knows what valuables remain hidden under it. The Turkish military commander Lala Mustafa Pasha destroyed the statues of the saints and replaced the stained glass window with transparent glass. But this was not enough for him, the Turks removed the gravestones and removed the human remains, including the last two kings of the Lusignan.
As in all mosques, the floor of the temple was covered with a carpet and there is a possibility that some tombstones still remain. Only the tomb of the Bishop of Famagusta, who was ordained in 1360 and died in 1365 of hypothermia, remains in the northwest corner. The apse, now without alters, is headed by a crown depicting not only the crown of Christ as the King of heaven, but also the Lusignan crown in Jerusalem.
The Mustafa Pasha Mosque is built on a hill overlooking the Old Bazaar in Skopje. It is the largest Muslim temple and one of the best preserved monuments of Islamic architecture in Macedonia. The shape of the mosque has not changed significantly since 1492 - the time of construction of this building. The mosque was named after its founder, the vizier of Sultan Selim I, Mustafa Pasha. At the end of the 15th century, he owned four villages in the vicinity of Skopje and could not deny himself the pleasure of building a large mosque here for centuries. It was erected on the site of the old Christian Church of the Holy Savior. The creator of the mosque is mentioned by an ornate inscription made on a marble plaque, which can be seen above the main portal.
The mosque is a one-story building with a minaret 42 meters high. There are 5 windows in each of the walls of the mosque. The mosque is a typical example of classical Ottoman architecture. This is evidenced by clear and correct proportions, a large dome, a slender minaret, a porch with marble columns, located on the north side. In the turbe (mausoleum) adjacent to the building, a sarcophagus is installed, where Mustafa Pasha himself, who died in 1519, and one of his daughters, Umi, rest. The mosque is surrounded by a rose garden.
In 1912, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque ceased to be used for its intended purpose, and during the First World War it was turned into a military warehouse. In 1963, the building was seriously damaged during an earthquake. The mosque began to be restored only in 2006 with the financial support of the Turkish government. Its reconstruction was completed in August 2011.
Architects and historians unanimously call this mosque a real perfection.
Shehzade, located in the historical center of Istanbul, is in no way inferior in its beauty and grandeur.
To this day, it is of great interest not only among visiting tourists, but also among local residents.
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Story
Shehzade Mosque (Şehzade Camii) is symbol of sorrow. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent entrusted its construction to the architect and architect Sinan in memory of his son, the heir Mehmed. The word Şehzade translated from Turkish means prince or prince. Sehzade Mehmet, the son of Suleiman, died very young, at the age of 21.
Rumor has it that one of the concubines is to blame for this, who infected the young heir to the throne with smallpox. The Sultan's first wife sent a concubine to Mehmed, who was very jealous of him for the young Roksolana, Mehmed's mother.
The grief of Sultan Suleiman knew no bounds. For three days he was inconsolable, and on the fourth he decided to perpetuate the memory of his youngest son by building a building. Suleiman missed Mehmed so much that he ordered the construction of not only a mosque, but also a whole complex with madrasahs, courtyards, rooms, and a kitchen. He wanted to live next to his son's mausoleum. Everything was built in just four years (1544-1548).
If you are wondering where Sultan Suleiman and his wife Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska (known from the series "The Magnificent Century") lived, then be sure to visit, which amazes with its decoration and luxury. It is located opposite the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque, behind the cathedral, next to a beautiful park.
As planned by Sinan, it had to be perfect, so he built it strictly symmetrical. If you look from above, you can see that it is made in the shape of a square. Another amazing feature is its the courtyard is exactly equal to the perimeter of the building itself.
The central, largest dome is supported by four arches. Around the central dome, the architect placed four more half-domes of a smaller size. There are only two minarets here, but they are like real works of art: they are decorated with traditional patterns in the Ottoman style from below.
The raised foundation holds a little secret. Below it is a swimming pool, thanks to which the building is cool in summer and always warm in winter.
The interior of the temple is made in a fairly strict and restrained style. No frills. The main colors here are light. On a white background - discreet ornaments in the Ottoman style.
On the territory there is also the Shehzade Mausoleum - one of the most beautiful architectural buildings in Istanbul. The mausoleum was also built according to all the laws of Ottoman architecture. The inside of the mausoleum is decorated with Iznik tiles. In the courtyard there is a beautiful fountain, which was built later, during the reign of Sultan Murad IV.
Everything you can see is shown in these amateur photos of tourists. 
Mustafa Pasha Mosque (Macedonia) - description, history, location. Exact address and website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
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In the central part of Skopje, not far from the Old Market, the medieval mosque of Mustafa Pasha flaunts - the most striking Islamic monument in Macedonia. The sanctuary was built about five centuries ago, but is still in excellent condition, as if time had not touched it. And in the warm season, a luxurious rose garden blooms near the Mustafa Pasha mosque.
Story
Back in the 15th century, the famous commander of the Ottoman army, Mustafa Pasha, owned several villages around Skopje. The highly respected vizier lived here with his two wives and four daughters. In addition to his outstanding military qualities, Mustafa Pasha was known as a very spiritual and pious person, and therefore it is not surprising that one day he decided to build a large mosque in the city.
The walls at the main entrance to the mosque are decorated with colored plates, which is why the people called the shrine the Colored Mosque. Undoubtedly, this is the most beautiful architectural monument of medieval Muslim architecture.
They erected a Muslim shrine on the foundations of an earlier Christian church. The text on the marble plaque above the entrance says this to this day. Residential buildings were built around the mosque, which were inhabited mainly by imams - clerics who performed rites in the mosque. The entire complex of buildings was built at the personal expense of Mustafa Pasha.
During the history of its existence, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque was seriously damaged only once. This was the case with the 1963 earthquake, which brought great destruction to the entire city. However, the mosque was restored, and now it is fully functional.
Architecture
The Mustafa Pasha Mosque is actually the standard of early Constantinople architecture. The structure of the building is a regular rectangle topped with a huge dome (more than 16 m in diameter). The dome of the mosque is decorated with original arabesques, the oldest of which are of artistic value.
The daughter of Mustafa Pasha is buried near the mosque. Her tomb can be visited along with the mosque itself.
The building of the mosque was built of polished stone and brick. At the entrance there is a small porch with white marble columns. In the northern part of the mosque, there is a minaret 47 meters high. Everywhere on the walls of the ancient building one can see the remains of the original oriental ornament and other decorations. The walls at the main entrance to the mosque are decorated with colored plates, which is why the people called the shrine the Colored Mosque. Undoubtedly, this is the most beautiful architectural monument of medieval Muslim architecture.
Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Skopje (Maced.)
The mosque in Skopje is free to visit both Muslims and supporters of other faiths. At the same time, it is important to follow the established norms of behavior in a holy place, so as not to offend the feelings of the parishioners of the mosque by an absurd accident.
Practical information
The Mustafa Pasha Mosque is located in the central part of Skopje on the right bank of the Vardar River. From Macedonia Square to the mosque can be reached on foot in 15 minutes, following the street. Orse Nikolova and further, behind the bridge, along the street. Samoilov. Near the mosque there are other bright sights of Skopje - the Old Market, the Museum of Macedonia, the Church of the Holy Savior and others.
The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, also known as St. Nicholas Cathedral, is one of the main attractions of Northern Cyprus and the most beautiful building in the city. It has interesting story: originally a Catholic church was converted into a mosque. Such an example is considered unique, so it combines Gothic architecture with oriental elements and a completely atypical interior inside. A monument of medieval culture should be visited by every tourist who finds himself in this area.
Cathedral history
By order of the Cypriot king of the Lusignan dynasty, in 1298 the construction of a Catholic church began. It was completed only in 1326, and illuminated in 1328. For the creation of the patron, a huge amount for those times was allocated - 70,000 gold byzants. Although about 100 years ago the whole island of Cyprus was sold for 100,000 of the same coins. Creation was in full swing. The temple has become the brightest object not only of this region, but of the entire state. Several important events took place here:
- until 1570, wedding ceremonies for monks to the throne of Jerusalem took place here;
- in this place, the last queen from the Lusignan dynasty, Caterina Cornaro, renounced the throne;
- this is where it started crusade which helped stop the spread of the plague.
In 1570, an army of 100,000 Turkish soldiers attacked Cyprus. Famagusta held out the longest with its small numbers of a few thousand. In 1571, the city fell and came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The main shrine was converted into the Hagia Sophia mosque, with a minaret attached to the left side. Inside, corresponding changes also followed. In 1735 the building was damaged by an earthquake. In 1954, it was renamed in honor of the army commander Lal Mustafa Pasha, who is known as the "invader of Cyprus". It was he who participated in the capture of this city, which in Turkish sounds like Magus or Gazimagus.
Architecture and interior decoration
Initially, the architectural object was an exact copy of the Reims Cathedral in France in the city of the same name. In fact, this is the only example of the radiant Gothic built outside the French state. The three-nave structure, 55 meters high and 23 meters wide, is supported by 12 columns. Equally 6 on each side, and all this is crowned with a high vaulted ceiling.
From the west there are three entrances, decorated with carved pointed portals. A mandatory element in such objects is a round window above the center, resembling a flower pattern. There were two bell towers on the sides above, but they were badly damaged. They were not restored, having made a minaret from the left. They also removed sculptural compositions from niches with windows. The facade is decorated with stone carvings and sinuous decorative elements.
According to Islamic traditions, people should not be depicted inside the mosque, so all the decoration of the cathedral was lost. The frescoes on the walls were painted over, the relics were destroyed, the altar was destroyed, and the stained-glass windows were replaced with ordinary glass. The only thing left is the grave. A marble slab can be found in the floor - this is the tomb of the Bishop of Famagusta. Today, a carpet is laid here, a large chandelier hangs, and fine art is whitewashed and a mihrab is arranged.
Pay attention to the oldest tree on the island. It's a fig tree on the left side of the entrance. It was planted during the construction of the shrine, the exact date is unknown. The age is over 700 years.
Visiting Rules
Entrance for visitors is free. You can leave donations if you wish. Only men are allowed to enter the main part of the hall, girls can look at the interior design from the side. Be sure to take off your shoes when entering. Women need to cover their heads, shoulders and knees. There is no fixed work schedule. You will not be able to enter during worship. Best time visits - before lunch, on Friday it will be the most difficult to get.
How to get to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Famagusta
The attraction is located in Northern Cyprus in Famagusta. The territory belongs to Turkey. There is no airport of its own, so it is better to fly from Russia to Larnaca or to any Turkish city. Inside the village, travel by bus. There is an İtimat stop within a 10-minute walk.
From Larnaca
There is a direct flight from Moscow, St. Petersburg and some regions. The approximate cost for a one-way ticket is 4000-5000 rubles. Then from the airport you can take an intercity bus that takes you to the border. Next, cross passport control on foot and take another bus route. The trip by car will take only 1 hour. First you need to leave the city on the A3 highway. At the fork turn onto E303, then On Beş Ağustos Blv. Focus on GPS coordinates - 35.124963, 33.942513.
From Turkey
There is no direct communication between Northern Cyprus and Russia. Therefore, you can fly here only on a domestic flight, for example, from Istanbul. The flight will take only 1 hour 35 minutes to Ercan Airport (Ercan Havalimanı). average cost one-way ticket - 2500 rubles. On the spot you can order a car for hire or a taxi. Buses also run according to a set schedule. The road by car will be no more than 1 hour. Head along Ercan Havaalanı Yolu and Lefkoşa-Gazimağusa Anayolu towards Fevzi Çakmak Bulvarı. Continue on Fevzi Çakmak Bulvarı.
