This was once a top tourist attraction before the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, with high rise towers constructed to meet demand. However the Turkish army fenced it off and refused entry to anyone other than their military and United Nations staff.
As no repairs have been carried out for over three decades, nature has taken its toll with plants spiralling around corroding buildings with no tourists in sight. However there are plans to reopen parts of the city to the public after extensive rejuvenation planned for 2010.