You can pray to Allah under the elegant gothic cathedral ceiling perfectly
preserved? Yes: such an exercise
of syncretism is possible in Gazimagusa. A name of
Turkish origin who does not lead to a far eastern place,
but a European state, though not internationally
recognized. Specifically one of
its major cities, known more by his greek name of Famagusta
and is undoubtedly the most picturesque of Northern Cyprus.
After passing through the suburbs of this lively city of
about 45,000 inhabitants, one reaches the heart, which
is instead a haven of peace:
the walled city. A good approach is to explore, from height to height (there are 15 in total),
these walls nine feet
wide. Everything is in the foothills of the wall: from churches all orders to a
football field, from a tavern installed
in an old warehouse cannonballs at a spectacular castle called Othello and
is living there, according
to legend, the character that
have inspired Shakespeare's
famous play, the governor of Cyprus Cristoforo
Moro, who murdered his wife out of jealousy.
With its terraces where counted tourists mingle
with locals who perpetually
drink tea, gentle Cathedral Square seems a
cultural compendium of Famagusta.
The monitors a
sycamore old man who, according to tradition, the church building is
contemporary. Near the cathedral, an ancient well preserved madrasa has
been transformed into a more secular restaurant. While the
other side of the square, a
magnificent triple arch recalls
that these parts were also
the Venetians, who built a palace here. But you
have to be forced to leave behind
this captivating place to wander the streets of
an old town with rural charm, almost numb,
where houses over two floors are prohibited.
As much as we are here in Muslim lands, the ride becomes a yinkana between Christian
churches. They come in all orders
and for everyone: Church of
the Templars, the Hospitallers, the Nestorians, Armenians, the Carmelites,
the Orthodox. If many
seem imposing from
outside is, however, in most
cases, simple empty
shells.
