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Lefkosia is a very historical town, but also offers all of the modern luxury that tourists and residents seek. The beauty of the surrounding region and its central location on the island. Lefkosia is important commercially with many shops, two modern shopping malls, restaurants and entertainment. The capital was divided between the island's Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the south and north respectively. In this era of the Franks, the city expanded culturally, and in the 15th and 16th centuries, saw the erection of a number of palaces, mansions, churches and monasteries. The name "Nicosia" appeared towards the end of the 12th century, when the city was owned and run by the Knights Templar. In fact, it is this period of Frankish rule that gave rise to the exonym Nicosia. Still known as Lefkosia, the city became the island's capital around the 10th century. It had grown in importance because of threats to the coastal cities Paphos and Salamis, which made many people flee to the centrally located Lefkosia.

The heart of the city, with this by 16th century Venetian walls, is spotted with museums, earliest churches and medieval buildings preserving the regretful atmosphere of years past. The new Lefkosia developed outside the walls became a present-day business and intellectual centre. Just a few miles away are enchanting places of interest such as Byzantine churches and monasteries, archaeological sites and charming villages. The old walled city of Nicosia is unique and definitely the place to head for first. Encircled by strong fortress walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century. The historic heart of the city is clearly found inside the walls, but the modern city has grown beyond. The new Nicosia developed outside the walls became a contemporary, business and cultural center. Nicosia is also known for its fine museums. The Archbishop's Palace contains a Byzantine museum where you can admire the largest collection of religious icons on the island. s a popular destination for holiday makers from all over Europe especially the British. However not everyone is aware that part of the country is under occupation by an invading army. In 1974 the Turkish army invaded the North of Cyprus and have been there ever since.

To walk from side to side the old city is to footstep backwards in time. Thin streets and old houses with complex balcony jut from weather beaten sandstone walls, odor of jasmine flowers in those long summer evenings. Nicosia lies roughly at the center of the island, with a rich history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. It only became Capital of the island in the 11th century AD. n Nicosia also there are mosques, like the Selimiye Mosque. This ancient church is the chief mosque in the turkish occupied part of Nicosia, and the great festivals of Bayram and other Moslem gatherings are conducted here. It was formerly the cathedral of St. Sophia which was built in the period 1209 A.D. to 1228. The old walled city of Nicosia is unique and definitely the place to head for first. Encircled by strong fortress walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the enchanting old city is scattered with buildings and monuments of historical interest as well as little shops, cafés and tavernas.