When I arrived in Cyprus I could never imagine that the island was dominated by Venetians and even now there are evidences of this achievement. I discovered that Cyprus was an overseas possession of the Republic of Venice from 1489, when the Independent Kingdom of Cyprus ended, until 1570-71, when the island was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. According to its strategic position Cyprus became soon a Venetian desire first as a military base and then as commercial territory. Anticipating conflict, the Venetians undertook an ambitious plan of fortification. We can see this in the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, where there are three gates.
First is the Famagusta Gate, in the east; it is the chief gate of the city. It was built in 1567 by Venetians as a part of the new city walls and was originally called Porta Giuliani. It served travellers entering and leaving the city from the east of the island.
The second is Paphos gate, the smallest of the three original Venetian-built entrance. It was formally known as Porta San Domenico due the proximity with the famous medieval monastery of St Dominic.
Last but not least Kyrenia gate, originally called Porta del Provveditore, named after the Venetian Proveditore, city guard, Francesco.
Today the gates have taken the name of the road immediately outside the gate which leads to the cities of Famagusta, Paphos and Kyrenia.