Ledra Palace Hotel Crossing

Lonely Planet review

This is the only spot on the island reserved exclusively for pedestrian and bicycle crossings between the North and the South. Masses of tourists and locals now cross from one side to the other, and many cross in the middle of the night too, after a late night out.

The crossing is partially blocked by a blue-and-white painted wall with graphic posters depicting those missing since the 1974 invasion. There are also posters depicting the murder of three Greek Cypriots by Turkish soldiers near Deryneia in the eastern part of the island at a demonstration in 1996. On Sunday mornings Greek Cypriot women gather to remember the 1974 invasion and hand out literature to the accompaniment of songs of lamentation and protest.

The crossing itself is about 300m long. To the left, as you head north, is the former Ledra Palace Hotel, now renovated and occupied by the UN. The renovation is part of the EU-sponsored 'Nicosia Master Plan' project. Started in 1979, many interesting and valuable buildings in the city have been (and are being) renovated. The project office is just outside the Ledra Palace Hotel, and has displays of all the work completed and planned.

Abandoned shops lie to the right of the hotel. A white iron gate marks the entry to Turkish Cypriot-controlled territory, after which lies the fairly innocuous Turkish Cypriot checkpoint building. A prominent sign welcomes you to the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' while another sign reads 'TRNC forever'.