Varosha (Maras)
Famagusta, North Cyprus
 |
|
A Crumbling Hotel |
After the siege of Famagusta in 1571 the Venetians were expelled from
the city by the Ottomans. They decreed that no non-Moslems would be
allowed to live within the walled town. Consequently, Famagusta expanded
to the south. This new town was known as Varosha (Maras in Turkish).
In the 1970's, with the decline of Beirut as a holiday destination,
Varosha stepped in. Many new high rise building were constructed to
cater for the increasing number of tourists, and by 1974, Famagusta, and
in particular the suburb of Varosha had become the number one (almost
the only) tourist destination on the island.
 |
|
An Overgrown Street |
In 1974, during the Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots from the
surrounding areas had sought refuge inside the walled city. Greek
Cypriots, on the other hand, mainly congregated in the Varosha area of
the town. As the Turkish forces approached, most of the population of
Varosha, around 40,000, fled to the south. Thinking they would be back
within days, most of them left all their possessions behind.
 |
|
Abandoned Properties |
After the cease fire, Varosha was made part of the UN buffer zone,
although it is still controlled by the Turkish military, and with the
exception of the
Agios Ioannis Church & Icon Museum, access is restricted to UN
and Turkish military personnel. There are, however, various areas where
the view into the restricted area is quite good. Since 1974,
the town has remained untouched. Weeds have taken over the streets, the
buildings are gradually crumbling, and the beach is deserted.
Reopening of Varosha is one of the bargaining chips used by both sides,
but has proved to be a constant stumbling block. The south wants to
reclaim it, but is not prepared to accept the north's contention that
although the Greek Cypriots lived there, the land was leased to them by
an Islamic charitable foundation.
Varosha would have been returned to the Republic of Cyprus
as part of the Annan Plan, but the plan was rejected by the Greek
Cypriot voters. Back to
Famagusta index. |