Omeriye Mosque, Gothic mosque in Nicosia, Cyprus
The Omeriye Mosque is a house of worship in Nicosia featuring massive rectangular buttresses, a tall minaret, and arches characteristic of its Gothic origins. The interior is marked by small domes and a wooden roof supported by pointed arches from the earlier architectural period.
The building began as an Augustinian monastery dedicated to Saint Mary during the 14th century. Following Ottoman conquest, it was transformed into a mosque by order of commander Lala Mustafa Pasha in 1571.
The mosque serves as the main gathering place for the Islamic community, diplomats, and business visitors in south Nicosia. It remains a working center of worship and daily religious practice for the Muslim population.
Visitors can climb the minaret to reach an elevated viewpoint that overlooks the city. The ascent provides a rewarding perspective of Nicosia's urban landscape from above.
The floor contains repurposed tombstones from Lusignan and Venetian nobles who were buried in the original monastery. These stones serve as a visible reminder of the building's earlier religious community.
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