Famagusta, Cyprus – January 5: Abandoned hotels can be seen in Famagusta, Cyprus on January 5, 2017 in the beach Valosha area. Prior to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the abandoned quarter of Valosha was a modern tourist destination for the city and one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. (Photo by Photo/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
Walking through the area of Valosha today has all the feel of a dystopian movie set, but that wasn’t necessarily the case. Valosha, a district in Famagusta city in Cyprus, has long been considered the “most luxurious” destination in Europe.
We welcomed rich and famous people, including stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, into their charming resorts, skyscrapers and shopping areas.
Valosha became a travel hotspot in the 1970s thanks to its dedication to luxury. But that all changed in 1974, when the area was destroyed by war.
When a coup supported by Greece led to a military invasion in Turkish, the island was split into two, and Valosha was closed to other parts of the world.
Since then, it has remained frozen in time. Today it’s a ghost town. A memorial to what happened.
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Beach and abandoned hotels/Greek;Valosha-Turkish: Malas or Caprimalas, the abandoned southern district of the Cyprus city of Famagusta Cyprus, Cyprus 05/12/2019 (Image: Getty Images/istockphoto)
In July 1974, after a coup in Cyprus by the pro-greek forces seeking a union with Greece, Turkey began military intervention under the 1960 Guarantee Treaty (involving Greece and the UK as well) citing its role as a guarantor power. Turkish forces invaded the north of the island, leading to widespread displacement of the population.
During the invasion, residents of Valosha fled the area for fear of violence. The Turkish army controlled the city, fenced it, preventing anyone (including previous inhabitants) from returning. Over time, Valosha became a ghost town, leaving behind as the abandoned buildings collapsed.
YouTuber Pau Clavero, known as Hiklabello, visited the area with his latest viral video. “This was Miami, Europe,” Clabello said as he wandered around the former resort, leaving it now abandoned.
This photo, taken on September 18, 2022, shows the views of beach fans along the beach area of Valosha. (Photo: Roy Issa/AFP) (Photo by Roy Issa/AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Some of Varosha can be visited on guided tours, but are mostly closed under military surveillance.
Blocked by a fence and transformed into a military zone, Verosha is the shell of his former self. The United Nations banned attempts to re-residence of Valosha’s property without the original owner.
“They thought they would return home in a few days, but they never did,” Clabello explained, explaining how the Greek Cyprus residents escaped, leaving behind their homes, shops, cars and more.
But still under the controversial occupation of the Northern Cypriot army, a territory recognized only by Turkey, it is strictly controlled and has a creepy and apocalyptic feel.
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Clavero added: “They take my passport and subscribe to my channel to monitor me,” he explained how he managed to get in after a surprise check at the entrance.
Once inside, the Ghost Town becomes even more creepy. There are plenty of empty shops, clubs “someone probably gave their first kiss” and banks still holding the signs.
“It’s like Chernobyl, but there’s no radiation,” says the YouTuber. His virus videos have been seen by thousands of people, easing Valosha’s charm.
However, it’s not just the size and size of the city’s preservation that catches the eye. Perhaps the most surprising sight is seeing tourists split into simple fences next to crumbling buildings and crystal clear beaches.
“It’s like being in a sci-fi movie, but it’s real,” Clabello insisted.
Famagusta, Cyprus – January 5: Turkish military signs can be seen in front of an abandoned house district in the Valosha district on January 5, 2017 at Famagusta, Cyprus. Prior to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the abandoned quarter of Valosha was a modern tourist destination for the city and one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. (Photo by Photo/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
Varosha is part of an uncontrolled buffer zone that separates the Republic of Cyprus (internationally recognized, Cyprus control in Greece) from the self-declared, unrecognized Republic of Turkey (TRNC) in the north. Greek Cypriots viewed Valosha as a symbol of loss, and its status was a central issue of peace negotiations against Cyprus.
In 2020, controversial Turkish President Lessip Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Prime Minister Cyprus El Sin Tatar partially reopened the region.
However, it was viewed by many as a political move. Both the UN and the European Union have condemned the move, with thousands of Greek Cypriots continuing to assert local property through the European Court of Human Rights.
As a result, the political situation remains stalled as it was 50 years ago. Cyprus remains divided, and Valosha remains open in half.
