Cyprus Ghost Town
Satisfy Your Curiosity with this Haunting Experience

The tiny town of Varosha� it was like a cross between a 1970's foreign seaside resort and something reminiscent of an eerie film set. With the exception, this was 2010 and this was for real.

Under the bleak, hazy skyline and enervating heat came a feeling of shock and intrigue. A deadly silence filled the air. The notice on the fence read "Forbidden Zone" in four different languages. Even more daunting about the notice was the image of a Turkish soldier, carrying a rifle. It was taken to mean exactly what it appeared to,"Keep out - you will be shot at". This place was surreal� this was the infamous Cyprus ghost town.

I took this from the View Point in Kapparis on a bright afternoon. Still, a gloomy aura surrounds Cyprus ghost town in the distance. Do you spot the crane? Once a hive of activity but now sitting idle for more than 30 years...

In the Northern third of Cyprus lies the desolate town of Varosha, the tourist area of Famagusta. It's located in a UN zone between the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied areas. No civilians are allowed in, neither Greeks nor Turks. A no mans land with makeshift borderlines if you like.

No One Has Ever Been Successful in Entering the 'Forbidden Zone'

This dead town is now home to rats and reptiles, empty buildings that have been looted of their interiors, unmaintained roads cracking under the sun's heat and decaying buildings becoming overgrown with creeping plant-life. As no repairs have been carried out for over three decades, all of the buildings are slowly falling apart. Nature is reclaiming this defunct town, as metal corrodes, windows break, and plants work their roots into the walls and pavements. Apparently there's a car dealership in Varosha with vintage 1974 models in the show room. This is definitely a town that is frozen in time.

Since 1974, the North of the Island has been under control of the Turkish Military. Varosha was the Greek quarter of Famagusta. When the Turkish army invaded in August 1974 in response to a Greek Cypriot coup, Varosha's inhabitants fled. Locals say they left so quickly there are still clothes in the houses. Although it is now in Turkish Cypriot territory, Varosha has been closed ever since. Turkish and UN troops patrol the site.

Famagusta was the first tourist destination on the island, if not the premiere and one of the most affluent destinations at the time. It was home to 45,000 Famagustans where Greek and Turkish Cypriots worked passionately and happily together. There were an astounding 36 hotels in Famagusta, which equated to half of the hotel beds in Cyprus. Hotels were being built like hotcakes to keep up with tourist demands. It was also a tight knit community which housed nurseries, art galleries, museums, and libraries, primary, secondary and private schools.

This is a full version of Michalis Cacoyiannis' film, Atilla 74: the rape of Cyprus...a real deep and historical insight to the whole saga

Famagusta was also the ideal geographical location and became of great strategic importance for traders from Europe and the Middle East. A busy port which handled 90% of imports to the Island and 73% exports from the Island, where agricultural products were shipped all over the world. Banks, Insurance and Shipping agencies opened to meet the demands of this vibrant town. It naturally became a busy commercial centre where contemporary shops, trendy boutiques, cinemas, nightclubs and bustling markets were the epicenter of daily life. Business was on the up.

This all came to a halt when the Turks invaded Cyprus, landing 40, 000 Turkish troops at the North coast of Cyprus just outside of Kyrinia. They had plans to stop where the old town of Famagusta is, but coming so close to the new town and realising it was abandoned by its inhabitants, they took it over. Since that day on 16 August 1974, the new town of Famagusta became uninhabited and morphed into what is known as Cyprus ghost town. Now there are 45, 000 Famagustan refugees scattered all over the Island.

You can experience this incredible and emotional piece of history all to yourself. Remember, you won't be able to enter the centre of Varosha itself, only around the perimeter and some parts along the beach front. Taking photos is not permitted; those who dare could be threatened with confiscation or arrest. There is no way to sneak in with all the Turkish and UN troops on patrol and watch towers. Apparently there's a net that stretches along the seabed to snare any have-a-go divers.

This was once a busy nightclub on a bustling street but now nature has reclaimed this dilapidated building. Do you spot the traffic lights on the left hand edge of the building? Now a derelict sealed off street...

Crossing the border itself is a nerving encounter and a costly one if you don't play your cards right. When you do get through, you will notice the difference between the Southern Greek Cypriot area and Northern Turkish Military controlled region. It's like night and day. It's definitely a strange encounter where Turkish Greeks live on one side of the street, directly opposite the outskirts of Famagusta ghost town.

Famagusta and Varosha have now become a symbol of the Cyprus conflict and its former inhabitants will remain haunted by the past for years to come. They say it's like Pandoras box, harbouring many unknowns and dangers inside. There may not be a lot of time left to visit this spectacle as Famagusta is listed on the World Monuments Fund's 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world. Maybe you should come see Cyprus ghost town for yourself before it's too late...

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Have You Ever Witnessed Cyprus Ghost Town?

Do you have another angle on this fascinating piece of history? Maybe you have a different story to tell after visiting Famagusta? The Turkish Cypriot administration plan to reopen Varosha to tourism in the very near future and they say the city will be populated as one of the most influential cities in the north of the island. What's your thoughts and will they really open Varosha again?

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