Crusaders, Venetians & Ottomans
After the division of the Roman Empire (395 AD), Cyprus belonged to the Byzantine Empire — for almost 800 years. The magnificent mosaics in Panagia Kanakaria and the steep-roofed churches in Troodos date from this era.
The Crusader Era (1191–1489)
In 1191, the English King Richard the Lionheart conquered Cyprus on his way to the Holy Land. He married his bride Berengaria of Navarre here (in the castle of Limassol), but quickly sold the island to the Knights Templar, who in turn sold it to the deposed King of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan.
The Lusignans ruled Cyprus for almost 300 years (1192–1489) and transformed the island into a Frankish kingdom with Gothic cathedrals (Nicosia, Famagusta), castles (St. Hilarion, Kantara, Buffavento), and the Bellapais Abbey. This era shaped the face of Northern Cyprus.
Venetian Rule (1489–1571)
The last Lusignan queen, Caterina Cornaro, ceded Cyprus to the Republic of Venice in 1489. The Venetians built the massive city walls of Nicosia (the star-shaped fortifications still stand today) and Famagusta. Despite these fortifications, the island fell to the Ottomans in 1570/71 after a bloody siege of Famagusta.
Ottoman Rule (1571–1878)
The Ottomans ruled Cyprus for over 300 years. They converted churches into mosques (Selimiye in Nicosia, Lala Mustafa Pasha in Famagusta), brought Turkish settlers to the island, and built caravanserais (Büyük Han) and hammams. The Greek Orthodox Church was granted a certain autonomy — the Archbishop became the Ethnarch (people's leader) of the Greek Cypriots.
