Varosha (Turkish: Maraş) is today associated with the poignant image of ruined hotels, barbed wire fences, warning signs and wild vegetation. It is hard to believe that half a century ago, this place was a bustling resort, one of the most exclusive in the entire Mediterranean. The southern district of Famagusta in Cyprus quickly turned from a symbol of holiday luxury into a gloomy ghost town. All because of a political conflict that disrupted the daily lives of the local residents. These people have been living in limbo for decades, waiting for the opportunity to return to their homes, which they left in a hurry.
Varosia – the birth of a tourist dream
The name Varosia comes from the Turkish word for suburb. At the beginning of the 20th century, the area was still the agricultural hinterland of the Cypriot city of Famagusta, dominated by fields and pastures. Its situation changed radically in the 1960s, and the culmination of this transformation took place at the beginning of the following decade. With the development of tourism, Cyprus became a popular holiday destination, and Varosia was transformed into a modern resort district with high-rise hotels, apartment buildings and wide avenues lined with greenery.
The golden decade of the Cypriot resort
Between 1970 and 1974, Varosia was the showcase of the Cypriot tourism industry, known as the “Copacabana of the Mediterranean”. Luxury hotels, restaurants and nightclubs sprang up along the seafront promenades. Visitors from all over the world came to the city, including film and stage stars. John F. Kennedy Avenue, running parallel to Glossa Beach, was home to Famagusta’s most prestigious establishments and was the centre of the district’s social life. Varosha was considered a modern, dynamic place with great promise for further development, generating over 50 per cent of Cyprus’ total tourism revenue during its heyday.
The Turkish army attacks Famagusta
In the summer of 1974, this image collapsed within a few hours. After the military intervention in Cyprus, Famagusta came under the control of the Turkish army. Greek Cypriots living in Varosha fled inland, heading for Paralimni, Deryneia and Larnaca. The evacuation, supported by a nearby British military base, was supposed to be temporary. Many residents believed that they would return home after a few days or weeks, so they left all their belongings there. However, the borders were closed for decades, and the district was fenced off and placed under strict military control.
Varosha behind barbed wire
For decades, Varosha remained inaccessible to civilians. The area came under the administration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Ankara. United Nations resolutions called for the district to be placed under UN supervision and for only the original residents to be allowed to return. In practice, however, little changed. Only soldiers and international mission personnel were allowed inside, and the streets were deserted.
The degradation of the former resort
The lack of residents and ongoing maintenance accelerated the degradation of the buildings. Hotels, houses, villas, temples and apartment buildings were exposed to the relentless effects of moisture and salty air. Metal elements rusted, glass in doors and windows cracked, and vegetation invaded the cracks in walls and pavements. Where sun loungers and parasols once stood, sea turtle nests began to appear. Many buildings had already been looted, stripped of their furnishings and fixtures, further adding to the post-apocalyptic image of the resort.
The further fate of the Cypriot ghost town
For the former residents of Varosha, it never ceased to exist. For years, they filed complaints and lawsuits, demanding compensation for lost property and possessions. The European Court of Human Rights awarded compensation to some of the complainants, recognising a violation of the right to property and private life. At the same time, the Property Commission was operating in the north of the island, receiving hundreds of applications. Legal disputes were intertwined with politics, and every attempt to change the status of the district provoked international reactions.
Varosha hopes for a breakthrough
Since 2017, the authorities of Northern Cyprus have gradually begun to open parts of Varosha to civilians. First, the beach was opened, then other streets and buildings. These decisions were criticised by the European Union and the UN, which considered them contrary to previous agreements. Nevertheless, the number of visitors has grown, and in recent years there have been plans to renovate selected hotels, build a marina and integrate the district into the tourist economy of the northern part of the island.
The city of waiting
Today, Varosha remains a place marked by a long wait. For some, it is a tourist attraction and a symbol of political determination, for others, a painful reminder of a lost home. Empty balconies, overgrown streets and closed hotels create a scene where time stopped in 1974. However, the history of this district is still being written, and its future depends on decisions made far beyond the borders of this abandoned part of the city.
Source: blog.grecos.pl, famagusta.org.cy
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