The Arablar Mosque is a former small church which is now used as a mosque. This small church or chapel is an excellent example of the style of art and mixture of architectural elements that seem to have prevailed in Cyprus during the Venetian occupation. When the temple was converted into a mosque, the doors to the west and south were closed and a veranda was built on the northeast side. A small, simple minaret was also built in the northeast corner.
The early history of Arablar Mosque, located in close proximity to the Greek Orthodox Phaneromeni Church (in the eponymous quarter), is still obscure. This building was originally erected as a church. Most experts assume that this church was built in the 16th century. It is still not possible to determine exactly which church it was originally.
The exact construction date of Nöbethane Mescit, located in the quarter with the same name, is not known, but can be dated to around 1867, based on records. The name of the mescit derives from the fact that, in Ottoman times, the changing of the guard was celebrated in front of the building (nöbet = guard; hane = house).
The Ömeriye Mosque was established on the former Church of St. Mary of an Augustinian monastery. The upper part, up to the middle of the window height, was destroyed, probably by Turkish cannonading during the siege of Nicosia in 1570. Later, the Turks completed the walls and covered the building and the vestibule with a wooden roof. The interior of the church was covered with plaster, while the exterior of the minaret was added on the north side.
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