Selimiye Camii, Nicosia Travel Guide

Rising above the historic core of North Nicosia, the Selimiye Mosque commands attention with its dramatic façade fusing French-Gothic architecture and distinct Ottoman flourishes. Originally erected as the St. Sophia Cathedral in the 13th century by Lusignan kings, the structure once symbolized the ecclesiastical power centre of medieval Cyprus. With the Ottoman conquest in 1570, soaring minarets transformed the silhouette, and the cathedral was skillfully converted into a mosque—a shift that resonates across Nicosia’s skyline and soul to this day.Inside, sunlight filters through high-set stained-glass windows, casting coloured reflections onto ancient columns and pointed arches. Despite its transformation, remnants of the cathedral’s stone-carved saints and Gothic tracery linger, harmonizing with the rhythmic patterns of Islamic prayer carpets. The main prayer hall, vast and echoing, holds an atmosphere of hushed reverence, whether at Friday prayers or in the quieter moments between.For centuries, the mosque has acted as a pulse-point where faith, culture, and political history intertwine. It remains active, hosting daily prayers, and is also a welcoming site for visitors of all faiths (outside prayer times). Shoes must be removed before entering, and modest clothing is required. There is no admission fee, making Selimiye Mosque accessible to all. Note that the mosque is currently temporarily closed for restoration, but visitors can still admire its external grandeur and sense the palpable history embedded in surrounding squares.