Tatlısu

Member of the North Cyprus National Network

Geography:

Tatlısu is a region in North Cyprus, 40 km East of Kyrenia located between the Beşparmak Mountains and the Mediterranean coast. It is the far northwest site of Famagusta District. According to the census, the population of Tatlısu region is 1459. All the residents of Tatlısu are immigrants. After 1974, some Turkish Cypriots living in south of Cyprus moved into Tatlısu and, people from various parts of Turkey also migrated to Tatlısu, Cyprus. The surface area of Tatlısu, including the agricultural lands, is 66 km2. The 22 km long coastline generally consists of rocky fields but, there are also small beaches and bays in Tatlısu region. 

History:

According to the findings of the excavation works conducted until now, historical artifacts belonging to Neolithic Period that go back to 8200 BC were found in Tatlısu region. These findings show that the region is the oldest settlement that have ever been discovered in North Cyprus until today. Excavation work continuing since 1996 revealed that the first residents of Cyprus settled in Çiftlikdüzü region of Tatlısu nearly 10,000 years ago.

Economy:

People living in Tatlısu region work in various different fields such as greenhouse cultivation, cattle farming, sheep and goat breeding, fishing and, Carob and Olive tree farming. Tatlısu region is one of the most important places of North Cyprus where early vegetable producing is realized. Eco-agriculture tourism model is being developed in recent years. Within this scope, small boutique hotels are built within the region (Bungalow style hotels with bed capacity of less than 100).  

Annually organized Carob Festival and Green Festival reflect the rich cultural mosaic of Tatlısu village. In addition to the Cypriot cuisine, various different cuisines of people with different cultural backgrounds who came to Cyprus from different provinces of Turkey such as Adana, Osmaniye, Maraş, Gaziantep, Urfa, Sivas, Mersin, Konya, Erzurum, Erzincan, Trabzon and İzmir  are also being represented such events. Moreover, Tatlısu region (especially coastline) has international residents who are from England, Germany, Pakistan and Russia. These international residents of Tatlısu region also contribute to the festival with their local food. Local Cypriot food like saç böreği (Turkish pancake with either a savory or sweet filing), ısırgan böreği (stinging nettle pastry), yaprak sarması (vine leaves stuffed with either meat or rice),  various kinds of fruit pastes, vegetable dishes etc. come into prominence during the festivals that have become a tradition. The essential aim of the festivals is to hand down the traditional values of the village to the next generations.

Traditional Cypriot food is also offered in accommodation facilities and restaurants located in the region. In this respect, Zambak Holiday Village operating under Tatlısu Municipality provides services to its visitors by reflecting Cypriot culture.

Our region has a significant potential to attract tourists. To use this potential in the best way possible, we should preserve our historic and cultural identity. Therefore, we foresee our regional development to be focused on locality and topicality. Handing down our local values to the upcoming generations is utmost important for us. For this reason, holding a Cittaslow membership plays a vital role for achieving our goals.

Tatlısu Municipality was granted the Cittaslow membership certificate and flag on the 22nd of June, 2019 during the meeting organized in Orvieto, Italy. Caring the human beings and aiming to enhance the human life quality, our Cittaslow membership which grounds on developing local production and also identifying tourism development strategy helped our region’s continuous improvement and as a result, maintaining content residents.

Tatlısu Municipality has a unique area, which is surrounded with history and natural wealth. Excavation work continuing since 1996 revealed that the first residents of Cyprus settled in Çiftlikdüzü region of Tatlısu nearly 10,000 years ago. Findings and information gathered from the excavations that shed light on Cyprus-Anatolia relationship and, social and cultural assets of ancient civilizations are envisaged to be exhibited within the framework of planned Archeopark Project. An important part of the Archeopark Project which is predicted to be one of the rare examples that brings science and society together is the reconstitution of the Neolithic village (belongs to 10,000 years ago). The reflection of the Neolithic village is expected to gather a great deal of interest among people.

Minia Cyprus Open Air Museum is built on a land that belongs to a thousand year old church. Miniature versions of 25 different Cypriot artifacts are on display in the museum. Therefore the museum plays a vital role for our region. Conducting significant work on the historic and cultural heritage of the region Tatlısu Municipality has put many artifacts under preservation including Byzantium Church, Ancient Flour Mill and Historic Fountain.

Historical Places:

1: Çiftlikdüzü Excavation Site

2: Ancient City of Molulos 

3: Minia Kıbrıs Open Air Museum 

4: Panaghia Pergaminiotissa Church

5: Historic Carob Warehouses

6: Old Flour Mill

7: Ottoman Fountain

 

Important Events:

  • March – Tatlısu Green Festival
  • September – Tatlısu Carob Festival
  • December to April – Traditional Hiking Events

 

Contact:

Tatlısu Municipality Cittaslow Representative:

A. Hayri Orcan - Mayor of Tatlısu

Ahmet  Çelik- Representative of Tatlısu
horcan05@hotmail.com

Neslihan Oğul
neslihanogul46@hotmail.com