History
First references to Nicosia were made in the VIIth century, and since the Xth century the city has performed the function of the capital. The years of invasions and often changes of the host created the city’s unique character in regard to both architecture and culture. Until the mid 1900s Cyprus was passed from one owner to another, taken over by the stronger aggressor. The island together with the capital city (it is worth mentioning that Nicosia has never lost its position as the most important city on the insland) was under Roman and Byzantine domination. Later it was controlled by the Crossed Friars – the period of the Kingdom of Cyprus and in the XVth century by the Venetians. The XVIth century was marked by the first Turkish invasion, in the XIXth century the island was conquered by the British and since 1960 Cyprus has been independent country.
