Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia Mosque

Address: Selimiye (formerly Saint Sophia Cathedral), Atatürk Caddesi, North Nicosia (Lefkoşa), Cyprus

Hours: Daily; mosque open to worshippers. Visiting hours typically outside prayer times (best mid-morning or mid-afternoon).

Admission: Free (donations welcome)

The Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia is a large historic religious building in the walled city, originally constructed as the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Sophia in the medieval period. It was converted to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest and is one of the island’s prominent historic monuments.

Inside, the building features Gothic architectural elements such as pointed arches and a vaulted nave together with later Ottoman additions including minarets and Islamic interior fittings. The contrast of medieval Gothic structure and Ottoman-era mosque features is the main draw for visitors.

Built by the Lusignan rulers during the medieval kingdom period and serving as the island’s principal cathedral, it was converted following the Ottoman capture of Nicosia in the 16th century and has since served as a mosque. The structure has been restored and altered at various times to accommodate changing religious use.

The mosque sits within the old city of Nicosia (Lefkoşa), in the island’s historic core, close to the Venetian walls and other central landmarks of the capital.

• Gothic architecture: Retains major 13th-century Gothic fabric from its origin as the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, visible in pointed arches and rib vaulting.
• Visitor note: Located inside the walled old city of Nicosia and commonly closed to tourists during prayer times, so plan visits outside service hours.

Selimiye Mosque sits inside the walled old city of Nicosia. From central Nicosia (Republic of Cyprus side) it is a 10-20 minute walk across Ledra Street (check crossing points). From the Turkish Cypriot side (Lefkoşa), follow Atatürk Caddesi into the Selimiye quarter; the mosque faces the narrow medieval streets near Büyük Hamam. The area is best reached on foot once inside the old city; car parking is limited on surrounding streets.

• Respect worship: remove shoes and avoid visiting during the five daily prayer times; enter quietly and cover shoulders if required.
• Approach from the narrow streets of the Selimiye quarter to see the gradual change from Venetian arches to Ottoman calligraphy - the building reads differently depending on which gate is used.
• Look for the faint scorch marks and lead anchors on the stonework; they tell the story of earthquakes and repairs that shaped the cathedral-turned-mosque.