Students of the Near East College Observation and Research Club visited Büyük Han (The Great Inn), Kumarcılar Han (Gamblers’ Inn) and Kurt Baba Shrine with the teachers in charge of the club.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the students of the NEC Observation and Research Club went on an expedition to historical places so as to get a wider knowledge on historical venues and to be more aware of their own historical heritage and values.

NEC Students were provided detailed information on Büyük Han (The Great Inn) and Kumarcılar Han (Gamblers’ Inn)…

The expedition initially started with the visit to Büyük Han. The students were informed that the Great Inn was built by Muzaffer Paşa in 1572; subsequent to the conquest of Cyprus. The history teachers accompanying the students on their expedition explained that the Büyük Han was built by taking the Koza Han as a model; a Han which was in the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire in Bursa. They added that the ground floor of the Büyük Han was used mainly as a shelter for the animals; whereas the rooms on first floor were used to hosts guests at the inn. Furthermore, the Büyük Han was later used as a prison during the British colonial period. Then, it was used to accommodate orphans. Moreover, the students were informed that very recently, in 2002, the Büyük Han was restored to its current usage as a art and culture centre.

Subsequent to the visit to Büyük Han, the students were taken to the Kumarcılar Han (Gamblers’ Inn).They were informed that the exact date of establishment of the Gamblers’ Inn was not clear, but that due to its architectural structure it was estimated that it was built during the 17th century. Furthermore, the Gamblers’ Inn was built by like a mini model of the Great Inn. Additionally, the students were told that the Kumarcılar Han was known with various other names such as Hımarcılar and Çalgıcılar Han and finally, the students were told that the Kumarcılar Han was restored in 2016 to its current status as the culture and art centre.

Kurt Baba Shrine was visited…

The last destination of the students’ expedition was to Kurt Baba Türbesi (Kurt Baba Shrine). It was expressed that this location was also known as the Üçler Türbesi (Triple Tombs) since there were three tombs there. Furthermore, just as with other tombs and locations to make a vow in Lefkoşa (Nicosia), these tombs were the graves of Ottoman (Turk) martyrs during the conquest of Cyprus

After the expedition to historical places ended, the students of the Near East College Observation and Research Club expressed how pleased they were of their experience and how they had developed a further knowledge on the places they visited.