Esentepe: Heaven of North Cyprus
Esentepe is a beautiful village located east of Girne. It has great mountain and sea views. The village itself is one of the few villages left that has not been renovated, so if you like the idea of traditional homes Esentepe is the place to be. This village goes back many of years to ancient times and it is there you will find the old Christian church which is now used for the local mosque. If this is your first time to Northern Cyprus you may think that it is a little 'strange' as the Turkish Cypriots are so friendly and welcoming, really it is like the old England around seventy five years ago. There are many people living in Esentepe and all of the amenities are there from a doctor's surgery, police station and schools- primary and secondary. Esentepe also has its own local football team with a great stadium, where visitors are always welcome. If you like to go for family outings, walks and picnics then take a walk up into the mountains where the beautiful pine forests are located, this village suits everybody, young and old. Esentepe also has some of the best beaches in Northern Cyprus near by, for example the famous Alagadi Turtle Beach is just a five minute drive away, this beach has golden sands that stretch over several miles and during the months of June and July, you can watch the turtles nest and then see the babies hatch from their eggs and escape into the beautiful Mediterranean sea.
Esentepe is really one of the most beautiful villages of our northern shores. It is located on a hill almost next to the peaks of the Kyrenia Range. Esentepe was an old settlement with a broad view of the sea specially chosen to be also close to fresh water sources and a plentiful supply of firewood. Translated into english the name implies "Windy hill". There are prevailing breezes from both the sea and the mountains.
You can reach Esentepe from Lefkosa via the mountain pass of Alevkaya and a second choice can be the eastward road from Girne. The former is a very picturesque route which passes through a forested area. The mountainous terrain is lush green, with trees of all sorts, wild flowers and orchids. Here you can stop and do some "trekking", or else you may find a good spot for a relaxing picnic. The Forestry department established a Herbarium in Alevkaya where you can study the endemic plants of Cyprus and find more about the botanical history of the island.
'Karaagac' is a lovely hamlet just before Esentepe. A freely running spring and a fountain quenches your thirst with the cool and surely the safest potable water of the Five Finger Mountains. A Turkish coffee in the village coffeeshop will definitely relax you before going on Esentepe. While you are descending from Alevkaya you will see the road sign pointing to the Antiphonitis Church. It is about 7 km away from the main road. Antiphonitis was actually a small monastery where you may see some of the best preserved samples of Byzantine art as mural paintings. It was a 12th century medieval church in a secluded valley, a single-aisled building with a large dome covering the whole of the nave and carried on eight columns. Christ Pantocrator was painted in the dome and figures of saints represented in the other parts of the sanctuary. One of the well known figures of Old Cyprus, St. Hilarion, spent several years of solitude in thismonastery.
The seaside road is also interesting with the remains of ancient Kharcha. This is actually old Esentepe, at the '16 mile beach' named by the British in the colonial days. Ancient remains extend towards the sea from the mile post. There are piles of stones and pottery which attest the presence of an old settlement. The grounds are concealed with the evergreen shrub Shinia of Cyprus. Here you may find old cisterns, catacombs and trackways of horse carriages. You may also see an old jetty and a man made boat landing place. This locality was occupied from Roman up to medieval times.
Esentepe village previously known as Ayios Amvrosios (St Ambrase), is a village built around a church of the same name. The municipal area of Esentepe is quite large. The coastline is mostly made up of natural beaches where you may join with the azure waters of the Mediterranean. Alagadi is one of the favourite beaches, a sandy coastline actually the nesting site of the Caretta Caretta Turtle. These turtles have nocturnal laying habits. The North Cypriot authorities are very keen on protecting this heritage site and they are supported by international organizations.
Esentepe is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots who emigrated from Aynicola of Paphos. The population is about 2500. There are also Turks from the Black Sea and some Bulgarian Turks. Wheat and barley are planted in the level areas next to the sea. Olives and carobs are also items of income for the villagers. The presence of old warehouses for these goods by the sea point to the fact that such trade has existed for hundreds of years. Esentepe is famous for its apricot orchards. Climatic conditions enable the production, which is an economic output for the villagers. Although the production does not meet the demand during the short season in June the groceries are flooded with apricots of Esentepe. There is also a particular summer apple variety grown in Esentepe.
Our properties in Esentepe:
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| Price: £159,950 |
| Pool: Included (4,5x9 m) |
| Location: Esentepe, Kyrenia |
| Total area: 234 m2 |
| Plot area: 800 m2 |
| Bedroom/shower: 4/2 |
| Seaside: 100 m |
| Mortgage: Not available |
| Stage: Under construction |
| Code: ES1 |
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| Price: £119,950 |
| Pool: Optional |
| Location: Esentepe, Kyrenia |
| Total area: 213 m2 |
| Plot area: 750 m2 |
| Bedroom/shower: 3/2 |
| Seaside: 500 m |
| Mortgage: Not available |
| Stage: Under construction |
| Code: ES2 |
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| Price: £68,950 |
| Shared Pool: Available |
| Location: Esentepe, Kyrenia |
| Total area: 111 m2 |
| Closed Parking: Not available |
| Bedroom/shower: 2/2 |
| Seaside: 200 m |
| Mortgage: Not available |
| Stage: Under construction |
| Code: ES5 |
| Read more... |
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