Nicosia

I took my first trip to Northern Nicosia on Saturday, and my first stop was the 13th century Selimeye Mosque.  This imposing Gothic building was the cathedral of the Frankish bishop of Cyprus until being converted into a mosque in the 16th century at the time of the Ottoman conquest of the island.

It remains a dramatic example of the fusion of Frankish, Byzantine, and Turkish architecture.

We also managed to catch the Pope's motorcade and a quick glimpse of the holy head as he made his way to a meeting with the Archbishop of Cyprus.  The Pope's white hat stands out against the black garb of the Orthodox clergy in the second photograph.