Büyük Han is a must see place in Nicosia

If you ask me which is a must see place in Nicosia, I will have no doubts in telling you Büyük Han.

Büyük Han can be translated as The Great Inn (from Turkish, Büyük = big – Han = Inn), it is in fact the biggest caravanserai in Nicosia and in the entire island.

It is located in the center of the city, 2 minutes walking north of Ledra street checkpoint.

What is a caravanserai?

Caravanserai were roadside Inn aimed at hosting travelers and merchants during their travels. They facilitated the movement of goods, knowledge, and people along trade routes. Their were largely used in the Silk Road.

Ottomans frequently built the Caravanserai and built the Büyük Han following their conquest of Nicosia.

The Inn is based on the Koza Han of Bursa. It has a square shape, and the two floor structure surrounds a large inner courtyard.

At the center of the courtyard there is an elevated prayer room, with a fountain for ablution.

There are 68 rooms, and each one of them had a fireplace. Ottomans were aware of how cold Cypriot winters can get!

*View of the courtyard from the second floor*

Then and now

Even if it’s use has evolved over time, the higher purpose of the Büyük Han never changed: it is a place where people meet.

Since its completion in 1572, the Büyük Han used to host merchants and travelers that came to the city from other parts of the island and from abroad. The upper floor was used as a hotel while in the lower one there were shops and storages. Merchants and travelers would meet, exchange products and stories.

For around 10 years, during British rule, the structure was used as prison by the British. Later it served as a shelter for families in need.

Nowadays the Büyük Han hosts crafts shops, art boutiques and souvenir shops. The EVKAF administration, is in charge of ensuring that only products made in Cyprus are sold.
In the courtyard there are a restaurant and a café.

Not only tourists visit it, but many locals, especially old Cypriots from both sides, go there to meet their friends during weekends.

The structure has been renovated but never lost its ancient charm.

When you walk there try to imagine how it might have been in the past, full of life, colorful people, camels and caravans.

As in the past, even today you can hear many languages, and see happy faces amazed by the beauty of the place.