This historical building was built in 1925 by the Colonial Management of British, as a Post Office. In 1960, when the Republic of Cyprus was established, the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots started to work together in this post office. During the political unrest between the two communities, Greek Cypriots left the building. Then, some parts of building were given to in use of Bayrak Radio. After 1989, only the ground floor could survive, thus, the restoration works of first and second floors and the basement had started and completed in December, 2003.
This area was a garden, which was belonging to Shaban Pasha and it was used for growing fruit and vegetables for the inhabitants of the walled city. By the time, as the population increased, demand for building site rose and gardens inside the walled city were used for housing purposes. One of the most important missions performed at the end of 19th century is the construction of a complex of council houses on a plot of this land. The complex is important as the earliest example of urban planning in the city as well as forming a social complex to support the poor families. The complex is located on the south-eastern direction of Kyrenia Gate and Western direction of Mevlevi Tekke. This complex is divided into equal plots where group of attached houses were built in rows crossing in a small square where a hexagonal planned fountain with a depot and a dome fountain provided the complex with water. There are 68 houses in the complex, which were built in three stages, the earliest and majority completed by 1900, two(four) houses added in 1949 and another six (eight) were built in 1955 to complete the project .The buildings are single storey and terraced with similar measurements and size. The houses are of modest sizes, with two rooms arranged on two sides of an open ended sofa leading into a small courtyard where service areas are located. Each of these houses is 85m2. The restoration project of Samanbahce Houses is done within a short time starting in 2003 and lasting in 2004. The restoration project was considered to be one of the top priority projects within the NMP. It was related to rehabilitation, infrastructure and landscaping of that traditional buildings. The target beneficiaries of the restoration project are the underprivileged sections of the society.
This mosque was built in the name of Ali Pasha, in between 1820-1824, in the period of Mahmut II. And it was called ‘The Masjid of Ordu Onu’. During the Ottoman’s reign, it was used as a mosque of governor’s office, until it collapsed by an unknown reason in 1902(it might be because of an earthquake). A year later, it was reconstructed by Mr.Irfan, the manager of Evkaf (Foundation) Department, and named as ‘Sarayonu Mosque’. It is used as a wedding-hall and marriage office at present.
The building is built as a cathedral in the reign of Lusignans, in between 1208-1326. The cathedral, which is also known as Hagia Sophia Cathedral, is a gothic style structure. The construction was started in 1208, and finished in 1326 and then opened to religious service with a ritual ceremony. Lusignan kings were held and crowned here. The cathedral was damaged by the attacks of Genoese in 1373, and in several earthquakes between 1491-1547. After the Ottoman conquest, two minarets, a mimbar, and a mihrab were added to the building, and it was adapted as a mosque which was named ‘Ayasofya Mosque’. In 1954, it’s named was changed, and named after Sultan Selim II, the conqueror of the Cyprus. The architectural style was directly influenced by the Gothic architecture of northern and southern France and the Champagne region. Among the most important examples of gothic sculpture surviving on the island are the frames of the three doors of the western propylon of the building. These are decorated with a large number of blind arches adorned with anthemia and natural motifs.
This church was constructed in 1758, during the period of archbishop Philatheas. It was named after St. Luke. After 1950, the church was not used and preserved for a while, thus it fell into ruin. In between 1985-1986, it was restored by the cooperation of Department of Antiquities and Museums and Folk Art Association (HAS-DER). At present, the building is being used as an official address of the head office for HAS-DER.