BUYUK HAN (THE GREAT INN) - LEFKOSA (NICOSIA)

BÜYÜK HAN (THE GREAT INN) - LEFKOSA (NICOSIA)

Büyük Han (Great Inn) was built in 1572 by the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus, Muzaffer Pasha. Its architecture is similar to numerous hans(inns) encountered in Anatolia (Turkey): a courtyard surrounded with rooms arranged on two floors. The lower rooms were used as shops, storage rooms and offices. The rooms on the upper floor served for lodging and each is fitted with a fireplace which has an octagonal chimney. In the middle of the courtyard there is a domed octagonal miniature mosque resting on eight columns with a fountain for ablutions under it.

During the British rule, the Han was used as the Nicosia Central Prison. Later the Great Han was used as a builders' yard; a couple of years ago it was renovated and now it is a very lively place with shops, art/photo galleries and cafes.