Protaras Famagusta, Cyprus

The central point of old Famagusta is the magnificent Latin cathedral of St Nicholas, consecrated in 1326. Thanks to its later conversion to use as the Lala Mustapha mosque, the building has not only remained standing where many minor churches have been allowed to fall into decay, but it has escaped many of the architectural modifications which have been made to contemporary European cathedrals. It thus remains as an outstanding example of original Gothic architecture. The square in which it stands, bounded on the opposite side by the palace of the Venetian Providitore, had once the reputation of being the largest in the Western world. Famagusta, too, is the 'seaport in Cyprus' of Shakespeare's Othello: there is little doubt that the governor of the city in 1508, Christoforo Moro, is identifiable with Shakespeare's Moor. Due to this link, the citadel of old Famagusta, which bears the winged lion of Venice above its main entrance, is now known as 'Othello's Tower'.