Nicosia in Medieval Times

 Nicosia must have become the centre of administration and the island's capital in the tenth century. It had a castle and was the seat of the Byzantine governor of Cyprus. In later years, when Cyprus was captured by Richard the Lionheart and subsequently sold to the Lusignans, Nicosia became the capital of the Frankish kingdom and has remained its capital and administrative centre since.

The seizure of Cyprus by Richard the Lionheart in 1191 marked the start of an important period in the history of the island and centering on Nicosia. After a very brief rule by the Knights Templar the island ended in the hands of the family of French nobles from Lusignan in France, who established the Medieval Kingdom of Cyprus with its seat in Nicosia.

The period of Frankish rule and the Venetian rule that followed were important stages in the history of the island, linking it to a flourishing European civilization without cutting it off its Greek, Byzantine and Eastern roots. During this period the island gained its important role as economic, cultural and geographical bridge between east and west. 

The arrival of the Franks signaled Cyprus' entry into the western European world. The knights, nobles, tradesmen and artists who came to Cyprus settled mainly in the large towns of Nicosia and Famagusta, creating a new social class.

Cypriots were divided into three classes:

1. The Paroiki (serfs) farmers who were subservient to the feudal lords.

2. The Perperiarii: farmers who had the right to obtain their freedom and that of their family from the feudal lords for whom they had to work for three days a week.

3. The Lefteri (free) or Frangomates who owned their own land.

Another important class were the White Venetians who were made up of Venetians who were already settled on the island and who owned or managed large agricultural tracts and paid annual taxation.

The architecture of Nicosia changed radically when the town became the royal capital of the Lusignans. The small market town was transformed into a cosmopolitan capital with new walls, palaces, mansions, large houses, commercial streets and squares. The main, basic characteristic was the construction of a large number of churches in the Gothic style as well as monasteries that were home to various Latin ecclesiastical orders.

The town was the seat of the king, the Latin archbishop, the traders and consuls from other European towns. The Viscount of Nicosia was responsible for the smooth running of the town and its citizens. The town was surrounded by walls with nine gates and towers and crossed by the Pedieos River. The northern sides were joined by wooden or stone bridges.

Sources: A Guide to the History of Nicosia (Leventis Municipal Museum)