Lusignan House, Nicosia

Tucked away in the Yeni Jami quarter of North Nicosia, the Lusignan House stands as a rare and textured witness to centuries of Cypriot history. This two-story mansion was originally constructed in the 15th century during the Lusignan period as a residence for Latin nobles. Its architectural core bears clear marks of this Gothic heritage, most notably the arched doorway adorned with weathered Lusignan coats of arms.

After the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus, the house was gradually adapted to fit new cultural aesthetics. A distinctive cumba-a protruding bay window typical of Ottoman and Turkish design-was added, blending Eastern influences into the originally Western structure. The residence's layered architectural evolution mirrors the island’s complex political and cultural shifts.

By 1872, the Lusignan House was in disrepair and inhabited by the Kaloria Al Effendi family. In 1958, the Classen family handed it over to the Cypriot government after using it as a home and weaving workshop. Following the 1963–64 conflict, it served as a refuge for displaced people and was later abandoned in the 1980s. Restored in 1995, it reopened in 1997 as a museum and cultural center focused on traditional weaving. A 2013 renovation enabled it to host formal events, and it now includes a café serving local food.

The Lusignan House blends Gothic and Ottoman styles, with a Gothic arched entrance and traces of noble heraldry. Inside, the ground floor features a large living room, while the upper floor preserves a richly carved and painted ceiling. Though 19th-century accounts describe ornate windows and diverse stylistic details, much has been lost. The rectangular courtyard includes a pool and ancient ashlar arches, likely remnants of earlier extensions.

Lusignan House is not merely a preserved artifact-it is a palimpsest, bearing the marks of successive eras, empires, and families. Today, it invites visitors to engage with a past that is still quietly alive in stone, wood, and woven thread.