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The cathedral of Hagia Sophia, located inside Nicosia walls at the occupied part of the city, is the largest and earliest Gothic church in Cyprus. The construction of the monument began around 1209 and although the church was consecrated in 1326, it was never actually completed. Worth noting is the architectural sculpture on the three west-façade entrances. After the conquest of Nicosia by the Turks (1570) the church was converted into a mosque and lost the greatest part of its fresco and sculpture decoration as well as its stained glass windows. The church also served as a mausoleum for members of the Lusignan family. |
