Canbulat Bey of Kilis participated in the siege of Famagusta in 1571-72. According to the legend, he and his soldiers gathered outside Arsenal Gate, aiming to take over the town. But in the entrance, a wheel of blades awaited, defending it. Nobody could get in.
The long wait demoralised the soldiers, so Canbulat, in order to save the day, mounted his horse and went straight into the wheel of blades, jamming it without fear. He died instantly, cut into pieces, but the soldiers entered the town.
Canbulat was buried there, at the very spot he died, at Arsenal Gate. Over his tomb, a fig tree grew. Turkish Cypriots believed that if pregnant women ate its figs, they would give birth to strong, brave boys.
In cold winter nights, the legend has it, Turkish Cypriots in the area would sometimes see a headless figure walking above Arsenal Gate, holding his head under his arm. Canbulat was proud of his achievement! Today, a museum is set up around his tomb.
© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation
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