Bedestan Church and Mosque

The Seven Green Men of Nicosia (Cyprus)

A film purely for reference purposes showing the Seven Green Men on the Church of St Nicholas in Nicosia, Cyprus, the so-called Seven Green Men of Nicosia.

The core of this medieval church was built in the twelfth century, on the site of an earlier Christian basilica, but the gothic sculptural facade (never completed), in which the seven Green Men are set, was added in the thirteenth century.

Although called St Nicholas, this is a misunderstanding based on a visiting nineteenth-century German archaeologist misreading the sculpture on the facade. He thought one of the figures looked like St Nicholas and so the church must have been dedicated to the saint. Most historians now accept that the church was in fact St Mary's, and was never dedicated to St Nicholas, although some believe it might have been the original St Sophia Cathedral. A later St Sophia gothic cathedral (much larger) sits next to it. That said the Turkish authorities in this part of Nicosia still label the church wrongly as St Nicholas. It is also known as The Bedesten as when the muslims took over Cyprus in 1571 they turned the church into a market or bedesten.

Also contrary to popular and tour guide belief the church was never a Latin (Roman Catholic) church, despite its gothic appearance. Even during French and Venetian rule in the Middle Ages it was always a Greek Orthodox church. Cyprus is almost unique in having a number of Orthodox Christian church buildings built in the gothic style (such as parts of St Lazarus in Larnaca and St George of the Greeks in Famagusta.

Whirling Dervish in the Bedestan, north Nicosia, Cyprus

► Whirling Dervish in 12th century Byzantine church in occupied Nicosia, Cyprus

St. Nicholas Church, Bedesten, occupied Nicosia, Cyprus.

Selimiye Mosque/St. Sophia Cathedral, Nicosia

Selimiye Mosque, historically known as Cathedral of Saint Sophia, is a former Roman Catholic cathedral converted into a mosque, located in North Nicosia. It is the main mosque of the city. The Selimiye Mosque is housed in the largest and oldest surviving Gothic church in Cyprus (interior dimensions: 66 X 21 m) possibly constructed on the site of an earlier Byzantine church.

In total, the mosque has a capacity to hold 2500 worshipers with 1750 m2 available for worship.

Inside Ayia Sophia Mosque in North Nicosia, Cyprus

Filmed in Nicosia, Cyprus by Chris Krzentz on Oct 19, 2013. Turkish Cypriot Retired Archaeologist Tuncer Bagiskan is the tour guide.

Nicosia Mosque shakh mohammed speach

Nicosia Mosque shakh mohammed speak to brother zahingir when he in meeting last time

The Bedestan - A Cultural Journey Across Ages

undp-pff.org - The EU funded and UNDP-PFF implemented restoration and preservation of Bedestan (St. Nicholas Church) is one of a number of initiatives realised by UNDP-PFF within the wider framework of the Rehabilitation of Old Nicosia project in order to preserve and reflect the multicultural life and many historical periods of the city.Today the restored Bedestan is one of the newest and most promising bi-communal cultural centers in Nicosia.
Video: InMotion Productions for UNDP

Bandabuliya (Old Market) / Belediye Pazari / Bazaar - Cultural Events ~ Cyprus

From October to December 2012! Everyday at BANDABULIYA (Old Market) in the northern part of Nicosia!

The European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme - Partnership for the Future (UNDP-PFF) in collaboration with the Bandabuliya Management are pleased to present the Bandabuliya Cultural Programme for October, November and December 2012.

Starting this Friday October 05th until end of December 2012, the Bandabuliya (Old Market) in the northern part of Nicosia, will host a series of workshops, exhibitions and competitions that will bring together Cypriot non-profit institutions as well as private individuals. These activities are financed by the European Union and supported by UNDP Partnership for the Future.

The programme of activities includes: a monthly crafts market (every second Saturday of the month), daily handicrafts and embroideries workshops, olive oil soap laboratories, Master Chef cooking competition, clay sculptures workshops, a science festival and art workshops for children, and different Bandabuliya media initiatives!

The detailed calendar of activities will be available soon on UNDP-PFF website undp-pff.org and Facebook page:

The cultural programme will provide you with an opportunity to rediscover Cypriots handicrafts traditions, cultural/culinary tradition, and re-create moments of fun and art-sharing for children, youth and persons with disabilities at the Bandabuliya.

With the launch of this cultural programme, we aim to create a momentum towards the complete rehabilitation of the renovated market into the cultural, economic and social life of Nicosia and of its residents. These activities aim to bring Cypriots back to Bandabuliya and to the Selimiye area, and make Cypriots re-discover and re-value their urban cultural heritage -- Tiziana Zennaro, UNDP-PFF.

The activities were selected amongst the applications received last August through the Bandabuliya Fund for cultural and community activities in Bandabuliya. The Fund is one of the activities foreseen within the Upgrading of local and urban infrastructure project in order to support the revitalization of the walled city of Nicosia.

All activities are financed by the European Union under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community and supported by UNDP Partnership for the Future.

History:

During the Lusignan and Venetian period, the area of St Sophia (Selimiye) was the main religious and trade centre of Nicosia. This continued under the OttomansTurkish Cypriots, who started using the Cathedral as a mosque. Selimiye was the meeting point for the citizens of Nicosia, especially on Fridays, to coincide with Friday prayers.

St Nicholas Church (Bedestan) served as a market where mostly textiles were sold. Because of population growth, and because people from all over Cyprus came to the city to sell their goods, new buildings were built around the Bedestan, including the Hans where tradesmen could stay.

In the 1800s, the weekly market place was turned into a permanent market place, and this continued till the Bandabuliya was built.

Construction of the Bandabuliya started in 1930, and it was opened two years later in 1932. The bazaar housed everything from greengrocers to butchers and fishmongers.

Population increase, and the movement towards the outskirts of Nicosia, forced shopping centres to be closer to the new settlement areas. The closure of roads leading to Turkish Cypriot parts of the city in 1958, lead to a further decline.

Recent years have seen a revival of trade, and this historic bazaar is still a superb market for fresh vegetables and meat, as well as Turkish Cypriots souvenirs. It as mainly frequented by local shoppers, so any visitor can get a taste of shopping in the old city.

In 2010, the Bandabuliya closed for restoration, and re-opened in the Spring of 2012. Sadly the refurbishment has meant that all the character of the old market has been lost. Instead of a Middle East bazaar, we now have the feel of a 1960s English provincial indoor market, that a mediocre architect would be embarrassed to put his name to! Hopefully some of the character will eventually return.

More Info:

Whirling Dervish in Nicosia

A short Dervish performance in Bedestan, next to Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia (Cyprus). Movie by Alfredo Mazzacurati, April 2012.

Whiriling Dervish Perfomance{3/3} - Nicosia

Whiling Dervish at the Bedesten, Northern Nicosia

Outside the tourist season, I was the only paying spectator. Me sitting alone on one the the 200 chairs, watching this man for a full half hour! Much bigger demonstrations can be seen in Istanbul.

HISTORICAL PLACES OF CYPRUS IN GOOGLE EARTH

1. BUYUKHAN 35°10'34.63N 33°21'45.38E
2. CASTLE KYRENIA 35°20'30.77N 33°19'19.97E
3. ST.NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL,LALA MUSTAFA PASHA MOSQUE 35° 7'29.57N 33°56'34.15E
4. MONASTERY,KALOPANAGIOTIS
34°59'32.51N 32°49'48.63E
5. FLAG 35°16'56.01N 33°22'29.68E
6. CASTLE KOLOSSI 34°39'54.98N 32°56'2.32E
7. CHURCH OF ARCHANGELOS MICHAIL,PEDOULAS 34°58'3.66N 32°49'53.09E
8. VENETIAN COLUMN 35°10'41.17N 33°21'39.17E
9. ANCIENT THEATER,SALAMIS 35°11'4.80N 33°54'9.48E
10. LARNACA MARINA 34°55'2.87N 33°38'14.62E
11. KOPRULU MOSQUE,LIMASSOL
34°40'20.24N 33° 2'17.86E
12. VENETIAN WALLS,NICOSIA 35°10'34.12N 33°21'50.53E
13. CHURCH OF PANAGIA,LAGOUDERA
34°57'55.44N 33° 0'25.35E
14. MOON STAR-LOGO 35° 8'46.36N 33°26'5.55E
15. CHURCH,GALATA 35° 0'13.15N 32°53'45.89E
16. KRIEGERDENKMAHL 35°19'55.06N 33°25'1.87E
17. CHURCH,NIKITARI 35° 2'46.54N 32°58'23.90E
18. THEOSKEPASTI CHURCH,PAPHOS
34°45'25.54N 32°24'56.57E
19. ST.LAZARUS CHURCH,LARNACA
34°54'41.52N 33°38'5.24E
20. CASTLE PAPHOS 34°45'13.18N 32°24'24.99E

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Whirling Dervish in Lefkosa (Nicosia), Cyprus

Whirling Dervish Nicosia

Whirling Dervish Performance Nicosia (Cyprus)

(northern) Cyprus - a walk through the history

Early times, Bronze Age, Greeks and Romans (Salamis, Soli), Byzantine period (Barnabas Monastery, Andreas Monastery, Lazarus church in Larnaca, Mamas Monastery, Thekla Monastery), The Lusignan (Castle of Hilarion, Bellapais), Venice (Fortress in Famagusta, Fortress in Kyrenia), Ottomans (Büyük Han Caravanserai, Selimiye Mosque, Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque)

Disclaimer:
I only used pictures, maps and music, which were at generation time characterized as free for non-commercial purposes on the Internet. Songs were double-checked with Shanzam to guarantee that only pieces that are marked as free for non-commercial purposes or marked as unknown are used. Additionally, I have to rely on the YouTube internal audit. But these tests may contain errors or the legal situation may have changed.
When your rights are violated, make a report on this to YouTube / Google. Google will block the video immediately and get me informed.

Collette & Amanda in Bedestan - In North Cyprus

The Bedestan, formally known as St. Nicholas Church of The English, began the restoration process in June 2004 and ended in 2009. Since then Bedestan has been functional and open to the public. Architecturally, Bedestan looks absolutely amazing and the attention to detail of the carvings outside is impeccable. Tucked between the Selimiye mosque and the Bandabuliya, the Bedestan, in what is called the Selimiye Quarter. According to the Cyprus Evkaf Foundation, Bedestan was originally a religious complex and later a covered market. It is a 6th century Byzantine- Gothic style church. The architectural configuration of the building is a direct result of a series of alterations carried out for functional and stylistic reasons. Whatever the reasons were, the results are breath taking.
Upon entering Bedestan, you will be greeted by various arts, which are both unusual and interesting. In addition to the art, there are shows that occur every two hours that showcase a traditional dance. Though we missed the show due to timing, the trip was definitely made worthwhile by the artwork and the very friendly staff who are more than willing to assist and answer any questions you might have. In the case of wanting to know more information, there are pamphlets available right near the entrance that will give you a breakdown of Bedestan’s history.

Whirling Dervishes in Turkey

Whirling dervishes performing privately for Rick Steves tour guides in Turkey