Originally the Augustinian Church of St Mary, the Omeriye Mosque dates from the 14th century, with its tall minarets added after its conversion in 1571. This is a working mosque that serves Nicosia's diverse Arab and Asian Muslim population. Non-Muslims may visit as long as you observe the general etiquette required: dress conservatively, leave shoes at the door and avoid official prayer times.
Omeriye Mosque
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
24.7 MILES
For divers, the one reason to come to Larnaka is to explore the Zenobia, a Swedish-built cargo ship that sank just off the coast of Larnaka in 1980…
10.89 MILES
The full fairy-tale outline of St Hilarion Castle only becomes apparent once you’re directly beneath it. The stone walls and half-ruined buildings blend…
0.31 MILES
North Nicosia’s most prominent landmark (also clearly visible from the southern half of the city), the Selimiye Mosque is a beautiful mongrel of a…
23.83 MILES
This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of …
28.95 MILES
Part of the excellent Troödos Geopark, this is a small but well-laid-out botanical garden with a lily pond and other water features, including a tumbling…
11.94 MILES
If the grand fortifications of Kyrenia Castle could talk, they could sure tell some tales. The castle was first built by the Byzantines – possibly over…
23.59 MILES
This 9th-century church is dedicated to Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus is said to have resurrected four days after his death. The church itself is an…
0.34 MILES
The Venetian walls form a border around the Old City and are so unusual that, once seen on a map, you’ll never forget the odd snowflake-like shape.
Nearby Nicosia (Lefkosia) attractions
1. House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios
0.1 MILES
From 1779 to 1809 the House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios belonged to Kornesios, the Great Dragoman of Cyprus, who accumulated his vast wealth through…
0.12 MILES
For the dedicated philatelist. Devoted to Cyprus' postal history, this museum holds a collection of stamps dating back to British colonial rule.
0.14 MILES
This rather grand building is the residence of the current archbishop and also houses the offices and administration of the archdiocese. It was built in…
4. Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre
0.15 MILES
This contemporary-art museum is housed in a former power station, and is the city’s equivalent to London’s Tate Modern. The former industrial setting is…
5. Archbishop Makarios III Cultural Foundation – Byzantine Museum & Art Gallery
0.15 MILES
This foundation next door to the Archbishop's Palace is home to the magnificent Byzantine Museum, which holds a collection of more than 300 icons and…
6. Church of Archangelos Michail
0.16 MILES
This domed church was built in 1695 and is thought to have replaced an earlier Gothic church on the same site. The exterior is built in Franco-Byzantine…
0.16 MILES
The presence of the UN Buffer Zone (commonly called the Green Line) slashing through the capital is a prominent reminder of the island's ongoing division…
0.18 MILES
Located in the courtyard of the Makarios Cultural Foundation, this 17th-century church has an interior covered in lively and intricate frescos dating from…