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Varosha Ghost Town
Once a glamorous beach resort where Elizabeth Taylor vacationed. Turkish invasion in 1974 emptied it in hours. Now it's fenced off, frozen in the 1970s, cars still in showrooms, personal items in hotel rooms.
1974 - Present
Famagusta, Cyprus
1000+ witnesses
Varosha is one of the world’s most famous abandoned cities.
The History
According to historical records:
Before 1974:
- Glamorous resort
- Movie stars visited
- Elizabeth Taylor, Brigitte Bardot
- High-rise hotels
- Mediterranean paradise
The Invasion
August 1974:
- Turkish forces invaded
- Residents fled
- Within hours
- Left everything
- Never allowed back
Frozen in Time
What remains:
- Hotels with furniture
- Car dealerships with 1970s cars
- Personal belongings
- Beach chairs
- Time capsule
The Buffer Zone
The area:
- UN buffer zone
- Turkish military controls
- Civilians forbidden
- Slowly decaying
- Nature reclaiming
The Atmosphere
Those who’ve seen it:
- Eerie silence
- Hotels crumbling
- Beach still beautiful
- Emptiness profound
- Frozen moment
Recent Opening
Partially opened:
- Some areas accessible (2020)
- Still mostly forbidden
- International disputes
- Future uncertain
- Ghost resort