About CIU
Location
Cyprus International University is in Nicosia, the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and is situated 5kms from the city centre, 14 km. from The Ercan State Airport, 50 km. from the town of Famagusta, and 30 km. from the coastal town of Kyrenia.
Nicosia, with all the advantages of being the capital city, is also the capital of all the socio-cultural and sports activities in The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. There are socio-cultural activities are held such as concerts, exhibitions, the latest films (that make their debut in the cinemas at the same time that they do in Turkey), and various plays which are regularly staged in theatres by the Municipality Theatre and The Nicosia State Theatre. These are just some of the social activities which are provided to our students by life in Nicosia.
| Haspolat | Nicosia | Ercan | Kyrenia | Güzelyurt | Famagusta |
| 5km | 14 km | 30km | 50 km | 50 km |
There are regular daily shuttle services to and from Lefkosa provided by CIU campus administration.
The Capital of All Civilisations
Nicosia, the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is an ancient city that bares the marks of many past civilisations. It is situated in the middle of the Mezaria Plateau. Many historians estimate that Nicosia is probably the last in a long string of past cities in this region, because of its fertile soil. Its predecessor is the ancient city of `Ledra`. The kingdom of Ledra is recorded around 672 BC, when it was ruled by King Anaxagoras, appearing ninth in a list of kingdoms that paid tribute to the Assyrian King Esarhaddon, Ancient Ledra, in the Ptolemaic period which was named Lefkothea(white goddess). In the early years of Christianity in Cyprus, around 248 AD, the town was known as Lefkousia or Ledri, and was really quite small. More probably, the name “Lefkosa” comes from Lefkos, son of Atolemy I of Egypt, who managed to rebuild the city around the 3rd century BC. Nicosia continued to prosper under the feudal rule of Guy de Lusignan, and quickly became the capital of the Lusignan Kingdom.
The city kept its importance in the Venetian era, retaining it’s status as the capital city of Cyprus. It was during this era that new fortifications against the Ottomans were added to the city’s existing defence walls. These new walls still exist today, and they have the unusual shape of a star with eleven bastions.
Nicosia City stands today divided in two by a green line. Turkish Cypriots are settled in the northern section of the city, whereas Greek Cypriots dwell in the southern part.
There are many historical and archaeological sites in and around Lefkoşa that are worth visiting. They are reminders of the great cultural heritage which Cyprus possesses. The city also has a vibrant social life, with many restaurants and entertainment centres.
Among many places of interest well worth visiting in Nicosia are; The Bedesten, The Haydar Pascha Mosque, The Selimiye Mosque, The Armenian Church, The Mevlevi Dervishes Museum, The Obelisque, The Inn of the Gamblers, The Great Inn, The Mehmet Pascha Buildings , The Ethnographical Museum, The Museum of Stone Objects, The Museum of Barbarism, The Library of Sultan Mahmud II, The New Mosque, The National Liberation Museum, The Dervish Pascha Palace, The Arabahmed Mosque and The Arabahmet Quarters, The Canopied House, and The Lusignian Palace.
Cyprus International University is situated in a city of great historical and cultural importance.
