Epochs

Ottoman Cyprus

The Ottoman period changed administration, the religious landscape and urban life. We approach it through houses, mosques, hammams, aqueducts, monasteries and everyday objects.

1571–1878

Historical context

Instead of one supposedly “pure” culture, we see a complex society of Orthodox Christian, Muslim and other communities. The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios is especially useful for understanding the role of intermediaries between local society and imperial authority.

Question for discussion

How can everyday architecture explain an empire more effectively than the history of wars alone?

Connections with world history

the Ottoman Empire · urban communities · the eastern Mediterranean · trade networks

Ottoman CyprusVisited

Holy Cross Monastery in Omodos

The arcades and pale stone of the monastery are connected in our notes with the tradition of Saint Helena and the relics kept here.

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Ottoman CyprusVisited

Panagia Sfalangiotissa Monastery

The story of searching by GPS became part of our account of this hillside monastery and its revered icon.

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Ottoman CyprusVisited

The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios

The dragoman’s house preserves furniture, textiles, tableware and the atmosphere of eighteenth-century urban life.

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Ottoman CyprusPlanned

Kamares Aqueduct

We include Kamares as an example of how imperial history can be seen not only in palaces and temples but also in a city’s water supply.

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Ottoman CyprusPlanned

Büyük Han

We include the Great Inn to show the commercial and transport infrastructure of an Ottoman city.

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Ottoman CyprusPlanned

Ömeriye: mosque and hammam in Nicosia

We include Ömeriye as a place where medieval Christian architecture acquired a new life in the Ottoman city.

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Ottoman CyprusPlanned

Hala Sultan Tekke

We include Hala Sultan Tekke so that the religious history of Cyprus is not reduced to Orthodox monuments alone.

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Ottoman CyprusVisited

Apostolos Andreas Monastery on the Karpas Peninsula

We visited the monastery near the tip of the Karpas Peninsula and distinguish the medieval chapel, the nineteenth-century church, pilgrimage tradition and modern restoration.

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