Template:POTD/2023-04-21
Selimiye Mosque is a mosque in North Nicosia in the de facto state of Northern Cyprus, and the principal Islamic place of worship on the island of Cyprus. It was constructed as a Christian church known as the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, which was built on the site of an earlier Byzantine church, and was consecrated in 1326. It was converted to a mosque in 1570, following the 50-day siege of Nicosia, when the area became part of the Ottoman Empire. A pair of minarets and other Islamic features were added at that time.Photograph credit: Alexander Savin