Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
To take the bus to Famagusta on the northern Turkish side I had to first cross back onto the north Turkish side of Nicosia. As I would be staying overnight on the Turkish side I exchanged 25 Euros for 105 Turkish Lira.
Just inside the Kyrenia Gate to leave the old walled city is the Mevlevi Teke. This had also been closed on my previous attempts but was open today. Entrance was 2.50 Eu or I forget the price in Lira but I paid in Euros.
A Teke is something I'd seen in the Balkans where the Turks had ruled. I'd seen these in Macedonia. This is not a Mosque or a tomb but a religious centre to house deceased persons revered to Islam.
The Mevlevi Teke was part of the Sufi religious order and they also performed whirling dervish dances.
They last performed here in 1954 after 200 years. Many of their coffins had their caps resting on top.
A very interesting and unusual Islamic site worth visiting.
2025-05-23