Nicosia with the Kyrenia range in the background

 'Concerning the city of Nycosia . There is another great city in Cyprus called Nycosia . It is the capital of the island , and lies under the mountains in a fine open plain with an excellent climate . In this city , by reason of its well - tempered air and healthiness , the King of Cyprus and all the bishops and prelates of his realm , the princes and nobles and barons and knights , chiefly live , and daily engage in spear-play and tourneys , and especially in hunting . There are in Cyprus wild rams which are not to be found in other parts of the world . But they are caught with leopards , in no other way can they be taken . And in Cyprus the princes , nobles , barons and knights are the richest in the world . '

 L. von Suchen

De Terra Sancta et itinere Ihierosol (1336-41)