Zahra (Mula) Bastion. Nicosia Green Line, Nicosia

Zahra (Mula) Bastion is one of the five bastions located in North Nicosia (Lefkoşa) and is part of the circular defence wall that was built by the Venetian rulers in 1567 to protect the city from Ottoman invaders. Unfortunately, it failed and in 1570 the Ottomans landed in Larnaka and eventually stormed the fortifications, killing around 50,000 inhabitants. Despite this, the walls have remained in place since their construction.

The Green Line, also known as the United Nations Buffer Zone, is the border between the Greek Cypriot side and the occupied part of Cyprus. It was created on December 30, 1963, after the agreement of the Greeks, Turks, and British during the first inter-communal riots on the island in order to stop the escalation of tension between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The Green Line was named as such because General Yang had drawn it with a green pencil on a map. The United Nations took over as guards of the area from March 1964.

Today, the Green Line stretches over 300 kilometers in length and divides the north (Turkish-occupied Cyprus) and south (Greek Cypriot Cyprus) parts of the island. The north part has declared itself a republic, but it is not recognized by any country in the world except for Turkey. This makes Nicosia the only divided capital in Europe. The Green Line is controlled by the soldiers of the United Nations who maintain normality in the area. It is also referred to as the Dead Zone and Ceasefire line.

In 2003, the "Turkish Cypriot government" allowed transit to the occupied areas and opened five crossing points. However, many Greek Cypriots are against this, as showing their passport in their own country is seen as a recognition of Turkish Cypriot power on the island. The Flatro (Zeytilni) Bastion on the eastern side of the Old City is occupied by Turkish, Greek Cypriot, and UN military forces, while the remaining bastions are located in North Nicosia (Lefkoşa).