Ceremony for 452nd anniversary of Ottoman conquest of Lefkoşa
A CEREMONY was held in front of the Lefkoşa Martyrs’ Monument last Friday to mark the 452nd anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Lefkoşa.
Lefkoşa District Governor Bora Akkuş, Cyprus Turkish Forces Regiment Commander Umut Keskin, representing the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces, First Infantry Regiment Commander Colonel Mert Önen, representing the Security Forces Command, military officials and representatives from various organisations and political parties attended the ceremony.
The ceremony began with the laying of wreaths at the monument, then a moment of silence followed by the hoisting of flags while the National Anthem was sung.
The walled city of Lefkoşa, under the control of the Venetians at the time, fell to the Ottoman army on September 9, 1570, following a bloody seven-week siege under the command of Lala Mustafa Paşa.
The capture of the city paved the way for the Ottoman conquest of the whole of Cyprus, which was completed on August 1, 1571.