House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios

Nicosia (Lefkosia)


From 1779 to 1809 the House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios belonged to Kornesios, the Great Dragoman of Cyprus, who accumulated his vast wealth through various estates and tax exemptions, and became the most powerful man in Cyprus. The house itself is more interesting and beautiful than the exhibits within. Upstairs, a couple of rooms have been set up in typical Ottoman style while other rooms hold a few displays of antiques and Ottoman memorabilia.

Kornesios was eventually driven from Cyprus to Istanbul in 1804 by a peasant revolt aimed at the ruling classes. When he returned from exile five years later, he was accused of treason; his property was confiscated; and he was unceremoniously beheaded in Constantinople.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Nicosia (Lefkosia) attractions

1. Archbishop’s Palace

0.07 MILES

This rather grand building is the residence of the current archbishop and also houses the offices and administration of the archdiocese. It was built in…

3. Omeriye Mosque

0.1 MILES

Originally the Augustinian Church of St Mary, the Omeriye Mosque dates from the 14th century, with its tall minarets added after its conversion in 1571…

4. Agios Ioannis Church

0.11 MILES

Located in the courtyard of the Makarios Cultural Foundation, this 17th-century church has an interior covered in lively and intricate frescos dating from…

5. Folk Art Museum

0.13 MILES

This museum houses the largest collection of popular art and ethnography in the Republic. The building dates back to the 15th century and was used as the…

6. Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre

0.14 MILES

This contemporary-art museum is housed in a former power station, and is the city’s equivalent to London’s Tate Modern. The former industrial setting is…

7. Pancyprian Gymnasium

0.14 MILES

Cyprus' oldest still-operating school dates back to 1812. Lawrence Durrell, author of Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, taught English here for several years in…

8. National Struggle Museum

0.16 MILES

This display is really for die-hard history buffs. The National Struggle Museum exhibits documents, photos and other…