Crossing into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at Ledra Street in Nicosia
Using the Ledra Street Crossing Point in Nicosia to cross from Cyprus into the de facto state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960 and is known as the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part of the island is referred to as Northern Cyprus, or in full, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, following the invasion by the Turkish Military and is regarded as an illegal occupation.
The Green Line as the Buffer Zone is called and it extends about 180km across Cyprus as shown on the map below:
The Green Line as the Buffer Zone is called and it extends about 180km across Cyprus as shown on the map below:
Credit: Free World Maps.
The grey areas are the two Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which act as forward operating bases when the shit hits the fan in the Middle East and belong to the United Kingdom.
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, and the UN Buffer Zone, or the Green Line, which separates the north from the south, runs straight through Nicosia.
Nicosia is the English name. The Greek name is Lefkosia, and the Turkish name is Lefkoşa. So, on my blog post from Cyprus, for SEO purposes, I use Nicosia. If I am talking about the southern part, I say Lefkosia; if I am referring to the northern part, I will say Lefkoşa.
Nicosia is the English name. The Greek name is Lefkosia, and the Turkish name is Lefkoşa. So, on my blog post from Cyprus, for SEO purposes, I use Nicosia. If I am talking about the southern part, I say Lefkosia; if I am referring to the northern part, I will say Lefkoşa.
I have just released my Top 13 Sights in Lefkoşa blog post
The Ledra Street Crossing Point is for pedestrians only and is open 24/7. You will need to show your passport on both sides, but you won't get any stamps at this border crossing:
Street map from the Greek side (yes, the people in Cyprus are referred to as Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots). They like to make sure that people know that the northern part of Nicosia and the northern part of Cyprus is an Area Under Turkish Occupation since 1974, when the Turkish army invaded Cyprus:
Street map of Lefkoşa, the Turkish part of the city of Nicosia:
Images of the dividing wall as seen from the Greek side:
These first few photos were taken at Paphos Gate, one of the old entrances to the walled city.
Barriers and blockades for the United Nations Buffer Zone in Nicosia:
These are entry points for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP):
Images of the dividing wall as seen from the Turkish side (These signs were standard-issue signs at any place with a military presence):
In fact, I never saw any guards, Cypriot, Greek or Turkish, nor any UN troops. I guess the situation is very low key just now. The crossing points were opened way back in 2003.
In fact, I never saw any guards, Cypriot, Greek or Turkish, nor any UN troops. I guess the situation is very low key just now. The crossing points were opened way back in 2003.
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The buffer zone ranges between a few metres wide and a few kilometres wide and is complete with abandoned, bombed-out buildings. A UN Buffer Zone Tour would be great to go on, if one existed.
When crossing the border, the buffer zone/no-man's-land area is about 100 metres long. No photos from this part, obviously.
