Explore the real-world places that appear in The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include The Green Line Buffer Zone, Kyrenia Castle, Nicosia Old Town (Walled City), Defne's Family Home (Kyrenia), St. Sophia Cathedral and 10 more.
Central Nicosia — The dividing wall between two communities
The Green Line runs through the heart of Nicosia, a militarized buffer zone that has separated Turkish and Greek Cypriots since 1974. Kostas and Defne's love story is irreversibly shaped by this physical barrier. Their secret meetings occur in the danger zone between their two worlds, and their inability to cross openly symbolizes the larger impossible love between two communities. The partition haunts every page of their relationship, making their romance both tender and tragic.
The Green Line was established in 1964 following intercommunal violence, and was further fortified after the 1974 Turkish invasion and the de facto partition of Cyprus. It has remained one of the world's longest-standing military demarcation lines, dividing a capital city and separating families for nearly 60 years.
The Green Line remains a heavily patrolled UN-controlled buffer zone. Certain crossing points now allow limited passage for residents with permits, though the wall and checkpoints remain visible symbols of division. The Ledra Street crossing, opened in 2008, allows pedestrian passage between the two communities.
Kyrenia Harbour — Medieval Venetian fortress
Kyrenia Castle represents the layered history of Cyprus that both Kostas and Defne must navigate. The castle embodies the island's colonial past — Venetian, Ottoman, and British occupations — all of which inform the deep historical trauma underlying their divided nation. The fortress stands as a symbol of external powers imposing order on the island, much like the forces that keep Kostas and Defne apart. It is a touchstone for understanding how history has fractured Cyprus.
Kyrenia Castle was built by the Venetians in the 16th century to defend against raids and piracy. It was later controlled by the Ottomans and then the British during the colonial period. The castle has survived countless sieges and remains one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Kyrenia Castle is now a major tourist attraction and museum, housing artifacts from Cypriot history including the famous 4th-century BC Kyrenia ship. Visitors can walk the ramparts, explore the keep, and view exhibits on Cyprus's turbulent past. The castle hosts cultural events and remains a symbol of Cypriot heritage.
Visit: Kyrenia Castle Museum (historic site)
Central Nicosia — Venetian walls and historic quarter
The Old Town of Nicosia, divided equally between Turkish and Greek sides, serves as the setting for much of the novel's narrative. Kostas navigates these labyrinthine streets, which hold memories of shared meals, stolen moments, and a life interrupted by partition. The neighborhood represents the intertwined histories of both communities before division, where Muslims and Christians once lived as neighbors. Every corner embodies loss and what-might-have-been.
Nicosia's walled city was constructed by the Venetians in the 16th century with concentric walls. It served as the capital of Cyprus for centuries and was a thriving commercial center. The city was divided after 1974, with the Venetian walls now separating the two communities.
The Old Town remains the cultural and administrative heart of Nicosia, with restoration projects ongoing on both sides. The Venetian walls are largely intact and walkable. The Greek side features tavernas, galleries, and museums, while the Turkish side has also seen renewed investment in tourism and cultural heritage.
Visit: Nicosia Old Town (historic site)
Kyrenia / Turkish Cypriot sector — A childhood home
Defne's childhood home in Kyrenia represents her Turkish Cypriot identity and the loss that partition inflicted on her family. She returns to the island later in life carrying memories of this house and her mother's cooking. The home symbolizes continuity and roots, even as the political situation makes returning and staying complicated. For Defne, the house is haunted by her mother's absence and her own complicated relationship to her heritage.
Kyrenia was historically a mixed community with Turkish and Greek inhabitants. After 1974, Turkish Cypriots were concentrated in the northern sector. Many families lost access to ancestral homes on the other side of the partition.
The northern coast remains primarily Turkish Cypriot in population. Kyrenia is now a popular tourist destination with restored harbor front facilities, restaurants, and hotels. The coastal town has experienced significant development while maintaining some of its historical character.
Nicosia Old Town — Medieval church and Ottoman mosque
St. Sophia Cathedral, converted into a mosque by the Ottomans and now called Selimiye Mosque, stands in the Turkish Cypriot quarter of Nicosia. It represents the religious and cultural fault lines that divide the island. The building's dual history — Christian and Muslim — mirrors the shared past that Kostas and Defne are trying to preserve through their love. The cathedral/mosque embodies the island's layered identity and the tragedy of separation along religious lines.
The cathedral was built in the 13th century during the Latin occupation of Cyprus. After the 1570 Ottoman conquest, it was converted into a mosque and the Christian imagery was removed. It remains one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The building is now the Selimiye Mosque, located in the Turkish Cypriot sector. While it remains an active place of worship, some sections are open to visitors. The structure maintains much of its medieval architecture despite the modifications made after the Ottoman conquest.
Visit: Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophia Cathedral) (historic site)
Nicosia Old Town Turkish Quarter — Historic marketplace
The Bedesten, the historic covered bazaar in the Turkish Cypriot quarter, represents the commercial and cultural vitality of shared Cypriot life before partition. This marketplace, with its vaulted ceilings and winding passages, evokes the sensory world that both communities once inhabited together. It is a place of commerce, chance meetings, and the kind of everyday intimacy that partition has made impossible. Kostas and Defne's world was built on these kinds of shared spaces.
The Bedesten was built in the 16th century during Ottoman rule as the main marketplace for the city. It served as a caravanserai and trading hub for centuries, facilitating commerce between Europe, the Levant, and beyond. The structure reflects the architectural traditions of Ottoman bazaars throughout the empire.
The Bedesten has been restored in recent years and operates as a marketplace and cultural venue. Shops selling traditional Cypriot crafts, textiles, and souvenirs occupy the stalls. The space also hosts cultural events and exhibitions showcasing Cypriot heritage.
Visit: Bedesten (Nicosia Bazaar) (landmark)
Paphos region — Ancient Greco-Roman ruins
The ancient ruins of Paphos represent the deep historical layers of Cyprus that predate the modern ethnic divisions. Kostas and Defne are confronted with the reality that their island has been continuously inhabited and conquered for millennia — Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Venetians, Ottomans, British. This continuity of occupation and the layering of cultures mirrors the novel's meditation on how love and identity persist despite external forces. The archaeology itself becomes a metaphor for what lies buried beneath the current conflict.
Paphos was one of the most important city-kingdoms of ancient Cyprus, built to honor the goddess Aphrodite. The site contains remains from the Mycenaean period through the Byzantine era, including Roman villas with spectacular mosaics, theaters, and temples. It was a major port and cultural center in antiquity.
Paphos Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Cyprus's premier tourist attractions. Visitors can explore well-preserved Roman villas with intricate mosaics, ancient theaters, and other structures. The site includes a museum with artifacts and interpretive exhibits explaining the history of the region.
Visit: Paphos Archaeological Park (historic site)
Central Cyprus — Mountain refuge and village communities
The Troodos Mountains serve as a place of refuge and natural beauty in the novel, representing the island's unspoiled spaces and the possibility of escape from political division. The mountains have historically been a sanctuary for communities seeking to avoid coastal invasions and colonial control. For the characters, the highlands represent an older, more innocent Cyprus — a place where nature transcends the human conflicts that have fractured the lowlands. The mountains are both a literal and symbolic space of continuity.
The Troodos Mountains are the highest mountain range in Cyprus, with Mount Olympus reaching 1,951 meters. The mountains have always been sparsely populated and served as a refuge for communities during periods of invasion and conflict. The region is known for its traditional villages, Byzantine churches, and agricultural terraces dating back centuries.
The Troodos Mountains remain a popular destination for hiking, skiing (in winter), and visiting traditional villages. The region is known for its natural beauty, endemic plants, and well-preserved Byzantine churches. The mountains continue to support small agricultural communities and attract eco-tourism.
Visit: Troodos Mountains National Forest Park (park)
Larnaca region — Lagoon and wetland ecosystem
The Salt Lake near Larnaca represents the ecological and natural heritage of Cyprus that exists independent of human political borders. The lake attracts thousands of migratory birds and is a sanctuary for wildlife. In the novel, the natural world serves as a counterpoint to human conflict — the birds migrate freely across the border, indifferent to the partition. This environmental perspective underscores the artificial nature of human divisions and the persistence of life itself beyond political struggles.
Larnaca Salt Lake is one of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world, formed thousands of years ago. It has been used for salt extraction since antiquity and was a major trade commodity. The lake is a critical stopover for migratory birds traveling between Africa and Europe.
The Salt Lake is now a designated Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and a nature reserve. It remains an important ecological site and a popular destination for birdwatching, particularly during migration seasons. The lake and surrounding landscape are protected despite historical salt harvesting.
Visit: Larnaca Salt Lake Nature Reserve (park)
Kyrenia waterfront — Historic port and maritime center
Kyrenia Harbor, with its picturesque waterfront and medieval castle overlooking the bay, represents the beauty and commerce of shared island life. The harbor was historically a meeting point for traders, sailors, and travelers from across the Mediterranean. For Kostas and Defne, the harbor symbolizes movement and escape — the possibility of leaving the island, yet also the deep roots that keep them tied to Cyprus. The boats in the harbor suggest journeys not taken and futures foreclosed by partition.
Kyrenia Harbor has been a major Mediterranean port since antiquity, serving Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Ottoman traders. The castle was built by Venetians to protect the harbor from piracy. The harbor remained an important commercial center through the Ottoman and British periods.
Kyrenia Harbor is now one of Cyprus's most popular tourist destinations. The waterfront has been restored with restaurants, cafes, and shops surrounding the harbor. Visitors can dine at harborside establishments, take boat tours, and visit Kyrenia Castle. The harbor retains much of its historic charm while serving contemporary tourism.
Visit: Kyrenia Harbor (landmark)
Eastern Cyprus — Abandoned resort city
Varosha, the abandoned resort city of Famagusta sealed off since 1974, represents the physical devastation and temporal rupture caused by partition. The ghost town embodies lost futures and frozen moments — hotels and shops abandoned mid-business, lives interrupted permanently. While not directly visited in the novel, Varosha looms in the background as a symbol of the violence and displacement inherent in Cyprus's division. The frozen city mirrors the frozen quality of Kostas and Defne's relationship — preserved but inaccessible, beautiful but haunted.
Varosha was Cyprus's most modern resort destination in the 1970s, with luxury hotels, a casino, and beaches attracting international tourists and wealthy visitors. After the 1974 Turkish invasion, the town was occupied by Turkish forces and sealed off from the rest of the world. It has remained closed and largely untouched for nearly 50 years.
Varosha remains one of the world's largest ghost towns, frozen in time with deteriorating buildings, empty streets, and nature reclaiming structures. The town was partially reopened in 2020 but remains largely inaccessible to the public. It serves as a haunting symbol of Cyprus's partition and the human cost of conflict.
Northwestern Cyprus — Protected nature reserve
The Akamas Peninsula, one of Cyprus's last pristine wilderness areas, represents the island's natural heritage and the possibility of spaces untouched by political division. The peninsula is home to endemic species and ancient traditions. In the novel's environmental consciousness, such places serve as reminders that the island's value extends beyond human politics — that there are other ways of understanding belonging and continuity beyond national or ethnic identity. The wilderness persists regardless of human conflicts.
The Akamas Peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times but remained largely undeveloped due to its remote location. The area is known for its biodiversity, including endemic plants and endangered sea turtles. The peninsula resisted development for much of modern history.
Akamas Peninsula is now a protected nature reserve and national park. It remains one of Cyprus's last undeveloped areas, with hiking trails, beaches, and natural hot springs. The area is managed for ecological preservation while allowing limited eco-tourism. Visitors can explore the wilderness through marked trails.
Visit: Akamas Peninsula National Park (park)
Central Nicosia — Greek Cypriot historic neighborhood
The Greek Cypriot quarter of Nicosia's Old Town, where Ada and Kostas are neighbors and where much of the contemporary narrative takes place, represents the post-partition reality. Ada, a Greek Cypriot widow, becomes friends with the widowed Kostas and his adopted daughter Amber, defying the ethnic boundaries that are meant to keep communities separate. This neighborhood, just across the buffer zone from the Turkish quarter, embodies the arbitrary proximity of the divided — neighbors separated by concrete walls and political hostility despite shared history and geography.
The Greek quarter of Nicosia developed as the primary Greek Cypriot residential area, particularly after partition formalized the division. The quarter contains historic churches, traditional architecture, and narrow winding streets characteristic of medieval Mediterranean towns.
The Greek Cypriot quarter is a vibrant residential and cultural neighborhood with restaurants, shops, galleries, and cultural institutions. It has experienced renewed interest and investment in recent decades, with restoration projects and cultural venues. The neighborhood remains a center of Greek Cypriot identity and commerce.
Visit: Nicosia Old Town (Greek Quarter) (historic site)
Neutral ground between partition walls
The fig tree serves as a symbol throughout the novel, representing growth, endurance, and the possibility of life persisting despite harsh circumstances. Kostas and Defne's secret meetings and their romance are often associated with natural spaces that transcend political divisions. The tree becomes a metaphor for their love — rooted in shared history but reaching toward uncertain futures. Trees, particularly old olive and fig trees, recur throughout Cypriot landscape and culture as symbols of continuity and ancestral connection.
Fig trees have been cultivated in the Mediterranean for thousands of years, with particular significance in Cyprus. Ancient Greeks and Phoenicians valued fig cultivation, and the trees became symbols of fertility, home, and prosperity. Fig trees are mentioned in biblical texts and Mediterranean mythology.
Fig trees continue to grow throughout Cyprus, both in cultivated agricultural settings and wild in the landscape. The trees are valued for their fruit and symbolism, appearing in contemporary Cypriot art, literature, and cultural references. Many historic fig trees in villages are treated as community landmarks.
Nicosia — National museum and archaeology collection
The Cyprus Museum houses the island's archaeological treasures and tells the story of Cyprus's layered civilizations. The museum represents the collective heritage that both Greek and Turkish Cypriots claim as their own, yet which also predates the modern ethnic categories that divide the island. In the novel's meditation on history and identity, such institutions are reminders that Cypriot identity encompasses thousands of years of diverse peoples and cultures. The artifacts in the museum are evidence that division is a recent phenomenon compared to the island's longer story.
The Cyprus Museum was founded in 1908 during British rule and is the oldest museum in Cyprus. It houses one of the world's most important collections of Cypriot antiquities, spanning from the Neolithic period through the Roman era. The museum has been a center of archaeological study and cultural heritage preservation since its establishment.
The Cyprus Museum remains a major cultural institution and popular tourist destination. It houses an extensive collection of ancient artifacts including sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and religious objects. The museum provides chronological and thematic exhibitions explaining Cyprus's complex history through its material culture.
Visit: Cyprus Museum (museum)
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