BHistoryPartially recognized
Ottoman conquest of Cyprus (1570–1571)
The Ottoman capture of Cyprus from Venice under Sultan Selim II, with which the history of the Turkish Cypriots begins.
In 1570 the Ottoman army landed on Venetian-held Cyprus. Nicosia and several towns fell quickly; only Famagusta, with its strong walls, held out.
Famagusta surrendered in August 1571 after an eleven-month siege led by Lala Mustafa Pasha — the pre-eminent episode of the reign of Sultan Selim II.
After the conquest about 30,000 Turks from Anatolia were settled on the island and given land, giving rise to the Turkish Cypriot community; Cyprus remained Ottoman until 1878.
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Updated: October 3, 2026