European University of Lefke Architecture and Design Club organised a trip to Soli Ancient City.

“Students had the opportunity to reinforce their theoretical knowledge by experiencing the field”

During the trip, architecture and design club members and participants from different faculties and students had the opportunity to reinforce their theoretical knowledge with field experiences. In the lecture given by Asst. Prof. Dr. Vedat Çağanağa, one of the faculty members of the Faculty of Architecture and Design, the importance of the city was explained by giving information about the history of the ancient city of Soli, which can be given as an example of the ancient architecture covered within the scope of the Architecture and Art History course. The history of the ancient city of Soli, one of the most important city kingdoms established on the island of Cyprus, dates back to the 8th century BC. In addition to the many mosaic works in the Basilica, the Swan mosaic, which has become the symbol of the city, the location and construction of the amphitheatre with a capacity of 4000 people on the hill were visited and examined on site.

“The interest in the history of architecture has increased with the organised trip”

In the 2nd trip, the importance of the city was explained by giving information about the architecture of the places visited. The trip started with the Güzelyurt Ethnography Museum where many historical artefacts were unearthed and exhibited, and ended with the Mamas Church, which is the subject of many legends, the Blue Pavilion, which attracts attention with its mysterious architectural structure, the Kyrenia Castle built by the Byzantines for protection and the Bellapais monastery, which attracts attention with its gothic architecture. Thus, the theoretical knowledge acquired by the students in the lectures and the visual experience of the built examples on site increased their interest in the history of architecture and provided them with more information about Cyprus.