Constructed by the Lusignans between 1208 and 1326 , Selmiye Mosque, or Saint Sophia Cathedral, is widely accepted to be the most important example of gothic architecture in Cyprus. The monumental main door and the carved stone window above it are definitely some of the most spectacular works of gothic art. After the Ottomans conquered Nicosia in 1570, a pair of minarets were added to the cathedral and thus it was transformed into Hagia Sophia Mosque, which was renamed in 1954 as Selmiye Mosque also is the biggest and the most attended of all. In recent years, the old streets around the mosque have been renovated. Consequently, with the addition of thriving businesses, such as authentic restaurants and antiquity shops, the neighbourhood around Selmiye Mosgue has reached a new level of liveliness, and has become a popular destination among tourists as well as locals, both during the day and night. Live music by local performers and bands are likely to take place several nights a week in certain venues-restaurants in the vicinity of elegant mosque.
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Tags: cyprus history, nicosia history, nicosia selmiye mosque, nicosia st.sophia cathedral, north cyprus history, north cyprus nicosia