Copper Town: Lefke

There are many ideas about the origin of the name Lefke, but the strongest one dates back to B.C. Around 300 BC, it was given as a wedding gift to prince Lefkon, the son of a king from the Ptolemaic dynasty, to establish a city in this region, and over time, the name of this region changed to "Lefkon" and eventually turned into "Lefke".

The reasons for choosing LEFKE include its clean air, calm atmosphere, greenery, abundant water resources and surrounding copper mineral deposits throughout its history.

Especially works from the Ottoman period are quite evident in Lefke. Apart from this, buildings from the Roman, Venetian and British periods are also elements that make up the rich history of Lefke. The history of Lefke dates back to approximately 4000 years.

Lefke is located in the west of Cyprus, 62 km from Nicosia and 68 km from Kyrenia. The area of Lefke is approximately 8 square kilometers.

Lefke is a region dominated by various shades of green and blue, witnessed by historical monuments, abundant in walnut and date trees, home to the most delicious orange of Cyprus, and with picturesque views. Lefke has attracted the attention of many civilizations with its nature and cultural heritage.

Lefke has been identified with copper mines throughout history. Lefke, where copper mines are located, is a region where even the name of the island of Cyprus is associated with copper. Mining gained importance in Lefke in the 1930s, when the Copper Mine Company started operating in the region.

The historical heritage in Lefke covers a wide range from ancient ruins to Ottoman architecture. The buildings from the Ottoman period in Lefke strengthen the history and culture of the region.

Lefke Municipality is the oldest Turkish municipality in Cyprus, founded in 1900. Lefke became the administrative center of the north-west of Cyprus under Ottoman rule.

Lefke is home to the European University of Lefke, which was established in 1990 with the aim of bringing economic and social mobility. Approximately 5500 students from different countries study at the university.

The historical settlements in Lefke are considered one of the oldest settlements in Cyprus. Ancient ruins around Vouni provide important clues about the oldest settlements of Cyprus.