Traces of British Cyprus: What Has Survived in the Northern Part of the Island

British rule in Cyprus lasted from 1878 to 1960 and left far more traces on the island than may seem at first glance. In Northern Cyprus, administrative and postal buildings from this period, remnants of railway infrastructure, and other structures have survived. Some British innovations — such as left-hand traffic — have long become part of everyday life on the island.

This historical layer is particularly noticeable in Lefkosha and Famagusta. At the same time, British buildings often stand next to much older monuments — Venetian fortifications, Ottoman caravanserais, and Gothic churches. Here we explain where to look for the heritage of the British period in Northern Cyprus and what has survived to this day.

• How Cyprus Came Under British Rule
• What Changed Under the British
• How to Recognise British Architecture
• British Heritage in Lefkosha
• British Famagusta
• The Cyprus Railway
• Postal Services and Communications
• Why Cyprus Has Left-Hand Traffic
• What Has Survived to This Day
• A Route Following the Traces of British Cyprus
• Interesting Facts
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Cyprus Came Under British Rule

The British period in Cyprus's history began in 1878. Formally, the island continued to be part of the Ottoman Empire; however, under an agreement between Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire, administration of Cyprus was transferred to the British authorities.

After the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War on the side of the Central Powers, Great Britain annexed Cyprus in 1914. In 1925, the island officially became a British Crown colony.

British rule continued until 1960, when the independent Republic of Cyprus was proclaimed.

Thus, the British period lasted for more than 80 years. During this time, transport, the administrative system, postal services, communications, urban infrastructure, and the architecture of public buildings all changed.

What Changed Under the British

The British administration took over an island with cities, roads, and administrative centres already in place. Therefore, rather than building entirely new cities, the existing infrastructure was gradually adapted to the requirements of the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries.

Government institutions, courts, police stations, and post offices were built, while roads and communications were developed. One of the largest projects was the government railway, which connected the port of Famagusta with Lefkosha and the western part of the island.

British influence was particularly evident in Famagusta. The development of the modern port and railway contributed to the emergence of a new administrative and transport district outside the medieval walls.

Some decisions made during the British period outlived the colonial administration itself. The most obvious example is left-hand traffic, which continues throughout the island.

How to Recognise British Architecture

There is no single “British architectural style of Cyprus”. Public buildings were designed with their purpose, the time of construction, and the local climate in mind.

European neoclassical and neo-Renaissance motifs can be found in the architecture, while local stone, arcades, high ceilings, large windows, and covered verandas were also used.

The latter also had a practical purpose: they created shade and helped protect rooms from the strong sun. High ceilings and large window openings improved natural ventilation long before the advent of modern air-conditioning systems.

Because local stone was used, British buildings can sometimes easily be mistaken for older ones. Their age is more often revealed by their symmetrical layout, the shape of the windows and arcades, the character of the façades, and their original administrative purpose.

British Heritage in Lefkosha

In the old town of Lefkosha, traces of the British period are particularly noticeable in the Sarayönü area and on the streets between the historic administrative centre and Kyrenia Gate.

This is an interesting area for a walk precisely because of its mixture of eras: Ottoman buildings, Venetian fortifications, and structures dating from the late 19th to the first half of the 20th century are all located within a few minutes of one another.

Old Lefkosha Post Office

One of the most recognisable examples of British architecture in the northern part of the old city is the historic post office building near Sarayönü Square.

The current building was constructed in 1925. Its architecture features neo-Renaissance elements: arched openings, columns, a balcony, and a more austere European composition of the façade.

The building continued to be used for postal purposes after the end of the British period. In different years, some of its premises were also used for other public functions, including Bayrak Radio. At the beginning of the 21st century, the historic building was restored.
Location

Sarayönü and the Old Administrative Centre

The British administration used Lefkosha's established centre. The Sarayönü area (Atatürk Meydanı) retained its administrative importance, although its appearance gradually changed.

That is why it is particularly interesting to observe the city's historical layers here today: Ottoman buildings stand alongside British administrative buildings, while monuments from even earlier periods are located nearby.
Location

Kyrenia Gate

Kyrenia Gate (Girne Kapısı) itself appeared long before the British — it is part of Lefkosha's 16th-century Venetian fortifications. However, its present appearance is also connected with the British period.

At the beginning of the 20th century, sections of the wall on either side of the gate were dismantled to make it easier for traffic to move between the old city and the developing areas outside the walls. As a result, the gate itself survived as a freestanding structure.

This is a good example of how British modernisation of urban infrastructure changed a much older monument.
Location

British Famagusta Outside the Medieval Walls

Famagusta offers an especially clear view of the British period. Most tourists head straight inside the medieval walls, but an important part of the city's early 20th-century history lies outside them.

The development of the port and the opening of the railway turned Famagusta into an important transport hub. Railway facilities, government institutions, police, post offices, and district administration buildings appeared nearby.

Old Famagusta Post Office

Another interesting site is the historic post office building. It is associated with the period when Famagusta was rapidly developing as a port and transport centre.

Unlike many former administrative buildings, the post office retained its connection with its original function for a long time. This makes it a particularly interesting example of continuity in urban infrastructure.

The Cyprus Railway

One of the largest projects of the British administration was the Cyprus Government Railway (CGR) — the Cyprus Government Railway.

It began operating in 1905. The first section connected the port of Famagusta with Lefkosha. Later, the line was extended westwards through Morphou — present-day Güzelyurt — and eventually to Evrychou.

At the height of its development, the network was about 122 km long. It used a narrow gauge of 762 mm.

The railway carried more than just passengers. It transported mail, agricultural produce, timber, minerals, and other cargo. Its connection with the port of Famagusta made the line particularly important for trade.

The railway operated for 46 years. After the Second World War, it increasingly lost out to road transport, while the infrastructure and rolling stock required substantial investment.

On 31 December 1951, the Cyprus Government Railway made its final journey. After it closed, most of the rails were dismantled, while the equipment and rolling stock were sold or used for other purposes.

Postal Services and Communications

The British period significantly changed Cyprus's postal and communications infrastructure. The postal system became more centralised, while the arrival of the railway made it possible to transport correspondence between cities more quickly.

Railway stations were used not only for passengers and goods. Some of them served as communication points, and correspondence transported by the CGR has its own place in the history of Cypriot philately.

Today, the old post office buildings in Lefkosha and Famagusta allow visitors to see this part of history directly within the urban environment.

Why Northern Cyprus Has Left-Hand Traffic

The most noticeable British legacy in Cyprus is not a historic building at all. Almost every driver encounters it immediately after taking to the road.

Traffic in Northern Cyprus drives on the left. This system became established during the period of British rule and remained in place after it ended.

As a result, most cars have the steering wheel on the right, and the road infrastructure is organised around driving on the left-hand side.

The British administration actively worked on developing motor roads. As the road network improved, cars and buses became increasingly serious competitors to the railway. Ultimately, road transport took the dominant position.

What Has Survived to This Day

The British heritage of Northern Cyprus is not concentrated in one place. It has to be sought out in different towns and districts, and that is precisely what makes the subject interesting.

• In Lefkosha — the historic post office, the administrative buildings in the Sarayönü area, the changes to Kyrenia Gate, and other buildings dating from the late 19th to the first half of the 20th century.
• In Famagusta — former court and district administration buildings, the historic post office, former railway facilities, and a preserved steam locomotive.
• In the direction of Güzelyurt — places associated with the former route of the Cyprus Government Railway.
• Throughout Northern Cyprus — left-hand traffic and a road system shaped in part by the influence of the British period.

Some historic structures are still in use, some have changed their purpose, and others are in poor condition. Therefore, British heritage is best understood not as a separate museum complex, but as one of the historical layers of modern Northern Cyprus.

A Route Following the Traces of British Cyprus

For an introduction to the British heritage, the most convenient option is to divide the route between Lefkosha and Famagusta.

Lefkosha

The walk can begin at Kyrenia Gate, then continue towards Sarayönü Square and the historic post office building. This route clearly shows how British buildings and changes to the urban infrastructure were integrated into the much older Lefkosha.

It is particularly interesting to pay attention not only to individual attractions, but also to the façades of ordinary buildings, the shape of windows, balconies, verandas, and the layout of the streets.

Famagusta

In Famagusta, it is worth temporarily leaving the usual route through the medieval city and exploring the area outside the walls to learn about the British period.

Here you can see the buildings of the former district administration and court, the historic post office, and sites connected with the Cyprus Government Railway.

This route reveals a different Famagusta — not the medieval trading city of the Lusignans and Venetians, but a port and administrative centre that was developing at the beginning of the 20th century.

Interesting Facts

• British rule in Cyprus began in 1878 and continued until 1960.
• Cyprus officially became a British Crown colony in 1925.
• The Cyprus Government Railway opened in 1905 and initially connected Famagusta with Lefkosha.
• The government railway reached a maximum length of about 122 km.
• The railway gauge was narrow — 762 mm.
• Trains carried passengers, mail, and various types of cargo, including agricultural produce.
• The historic Lefkosha post office building was constructed in 1925.
• The Famagusta district administration and court buildings date from the beginning

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cyprus under British rule?

The British administration began governing Cyprus in 1878. In 1914, Great Britain annexed the island, and in 1925 Cyprus officially became a British Crown colony. The British period ended in 1960 after the independence of the Republic of Cyprus was proclaimed.

What has survived from the British period in Northern Cyprus?

Former administrative and postal buildings, individual railway infrastructure facilities, and other structures dating from the late 19th to the first half of the 20th century have survived in Northern Cyprus. The heritage of this period also includes left-hand traffic, which is still maintained on the island today.

Where is the best place to look for British architecture in Northern Cyprus?

The greatest number of interesting sites has survived in Lefkosha and Famagusta. In Lefkosha, attention should be paid to the Sarayönü area and the old post office. In Famagusta, the former administrative buildings and the historic post office are of interest.

Did Northern Cyprus have a railway?

Yes. Built by the British administration, the Cyprus Government Railway began operating in 1905. The first section connected Famagusta and Lefkosha; later, the line was extended through Morphou — modern-day Güzelyurt — and further west across the island.

Why do people drive on the left-hand side of the road in Northern Cyprus?

Left-hand traffic became established in Cyprus during the period of British rule and remained after it ended. Therefore, in Northern Cyprus, traffic travels on the left, and cars with the steering wheel on the right are a common sight.

Were Kyrenia Gate's built by the British?

No. Kyrenia Gate is part of Lefkosha's 16th-century Venetian fortifications. However, the urban infrastructure around it was altered during the British period: sections of the wall on either side of the gate were dismantled to make it easier for traffic to pass. That is why the gate appears today as a freestanding structure.

Has the British post office in Lefkosha survived?

Yes. The historic post office building near Sarayönü Square was built in 1925 during the period of British rule. It is considered one of the notable examples of public architecture from this period in the old town of Lefkosha.

Can a separate route covering British sites be planned?

Yes. In Lefkosha, Kyrenia Gate, the Sarayönü area, and the historic post office can conveniently be combined with a regular walk through the old town. In Famagusta, you can separately visit the former administrative buildings, the post office, and sites connected with the railway. For a more detailed introduction to the railway's history, the route can be continued in the direction of Güzelyurt.

Do you need to pay to see these sites?

Most of the buildings and historic sites mentioned can be viewed from the outside during a regular walk around the city. Some structures are still in use or are not tourist attractions, so free access inside may not be available.

Why can British buildings sometimes be difficult to distinguish from older Cypriot structures?

When constructing buildings, the British administration used local stone and architectural solutions adapted to the Cypriot climate. As a result, buildings from this period can blend harmoniously with older urban development. Their origins are more often indicated by symmetrical façades, arcades, high windows, covered verandas, and their original administrative purpose.

Does British heritage remain part of everyday life in Northern Cyprus?

Yes. The most obvious example is left-hand traffic. In addition, some buildings from the British period continue to be used, while elements of the transport and urban infrastructure formed at that time have become part of the modern appearance of Lefkosha, Famagusta, and other areas of Northern Cyprus.