Bedesten, Nicosia
| Bedesten, Nicosia | |
|---|---|
Bedesten, Lefkoşa. Three dimensional model by Robert Barratt | |
| Religion | |
| District | Nicosia District |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Nicosia |
| Country | Cyprus (de jure) Northern Cyprus (de facto) |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°10′34″N 33°21′51″E / 35.1761°N 33.3641°E |
Bedesten or Bedestan is a historical building in the Selimiye quarter of North Nicosia, North Cyprus, located directly beside the Selimiye Mosque. The structure has a long and complicated history spanning more than one thousand years. Originally built as a church in about the sixth century, and expanded and rebuilt between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, it was converted to a bedesten, a type of covered market, during the period of Ottoman rule. It is currently used as a cultural centre.