4/5 Andy N. 1 year ago on Google
Historically
part
of
the
Famagusta
Walls,
this
bastion
has
been
renamed
and
now
houses
a
tomb
and
museum
open
to
the
public.
When
the
Ottomans
decided
to
conquer
Cyprus,
Canbulat
Bey
of
Kilis,
a
provincial
governor
of
the
Empire,
joined
the
invading
forces.
Successful
during
the
capture
of
Nicosia,
he
was
promoted
to
become
commander
of
the
right
wing
of
the
Ottoman
army
to
the
south
of
Famagusta,
along
with
Iskender
Pasha
and
Deniz
Pasha.
From
here,
the
Ottomans
bombarded
the
town,
which
is
why
most
damage
to
the
taller
buildings
within
the
old
city
walls
is
on
the
southeast
side.
The
Ottomans
initially
tried
to
dig
under
the
overwhelming
walls,
but
the
Venetians
blasted
the
tunnels,
and
collapsed
them.
They
then
placed
sharp
blades
on
a
turning
wheel
at
the
entrance
of
the
bastion
to
cut
any
enemy
into
pieces.
The
siege
lasted
for
months
and
popular
folklore
recounts
that
to
obstruct
the
bladed
turning
wheel
and
allow
the
Ottomans
passage
through
the
city
entrance,
Canbulat
decided
to
ride
his
horse
into
it.
His
head
was
cut
off,
but
undeterred
he
picked
his
head
up,
mounted
his
horse,
and
continued
to
fight
for
several
days
with
his
skull
under
his
arm.
This
motivated
the
Ottoman
soldiers
to
continue
the
onslaught
and
eventually
led
the
Venetians
to
surrender
and
the
Arsenal
Bastion
was
renamed
the
Canbulat
Bastion.
Canbulat's
entombed
remains
are
located
at
the
Bastion
which
is
also
a
place
of
pilgrimage
for
modern-day
Turks
visiting
North
Cyprus.
Legend
also
maintains
that
a
fig
tree
grew
up
over
the
tomb,
the
fruits
of
which
promoted
fertility
in
women
who
visited.
The
bastion
also
houses
the
ethnographic
and
archaeological
Canbulat
Museum,
displaying
artillery,
uniforms,
antiques
and
Venetian
pottery.
After
the
destruction
of
the
Arsenal
Bastion,
the
city
rapidly
began
work
to
rebuild
the
parapets.
Traces
of
the
repairs
of
the
Arsenal
and
Ravelin
Bastions
as
well
as
the
walls
between
the
two
can
easily
be
seen
by
visitors.
The
Famagusta
Lighthouse
also
stands
on
this
historic
location.
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