Zeybekköy: Local History and Landscape on Karpasia

Zeybekköy can be understood through its names and history as well as through the geography of the Karpasia Peninsula. Historical place names, an archaeological site in the area and its geological setting offer different perspectives. Specific information about elevation and distances provides additional help with orientation.

Place Names and History

Ágios Efstáthios, also called Ayistat, was historically an exclusively Turkish Cypriot village on the Karpasia/Karpaz Peninsula. Zeybekköy is a Turkish alternative name for Ágios Efstáthios and has been in use since 1958. Thus, the village’s historical classification and the period in which the name was used are presented side by side: the description as a Turkish Cypriot village refers to the past, while the year refers to the use of Zeybekköy as an alternative name. Ayistat is another name for Ágios Efstáthios. Bringing the different place names together, Zeybekköy, Ágios Efstáthios and Ayistat refer to the same place rather than to separate destinations.

Location and Orientation

Ágios Efstáthios lies 55 metres above sea level, 3 kilometres southeast of Komi Kepir and 8 kilometres northwest of Cape Elaia. The directions refer to different points: Komi Kepir lies northwest of the village, while Cape Elaia lies southeast of it. This makes it easy to distinguish the two distances. The elevation adds a vertical reference to the location information, while the distances locate the village relative to Komi Kepir and Cape Elaia. To understand its geographical setting, the peninsula, elevation and both named reference points are therefore relevant together.

Geological Setting and Local Relief

Geologically, Ágios Efstáthios lies in the southern part of the asymmetrical Karpasia fold, which is a continuation of the folds of Pentadaktylos. Curves and other gentle rises in the terrain are known on the Karpasia Peninsula, but they are not pronounced around Ágios Efstáthios. This distinguishes the geological setting from the specific expression of the relief in the village. Its position within the fold describes the broader context, while the subdued expression of these landforms clarifies the local character. Karpasia is therefore the landscape’s broader frame of reference, but not every feature known there is equally pronounced in every location. If you are interested in geology, this distinction helps you understand the landscape more precisely.

Ancient Settlement

The area of Ágios Efstáthios was inhabited in ancient times, and an archaeological site is located there. The settlement and the site complement each other but describe different aspects: the first statement concerns the area’s early history, while the second identifies a specific archaeological location. This adds another point in time to the village’s history alongside its later place names. The ancient settlement represents an early historical perspective, while the name Zeybekköy has its own, much later time frame, based on its stated use since 1958. Together, these offer different points of interest for travellers interested in the history and landscape of the peninsula.

Discover more destinations: Bogaz, Liopetri, İskele, Frenaros, Pernera, Paralimni, Dipkarpaz, Deryneia

For the main travel overview: Famagusta.