The English traveler Dr J Sibthorpe who travelled in Cyprus and collected notes concerning the natural history of the island, comments on Famagusta, describing it as a melancholy place with deserted streets:
Early in the morning we walked to Famagusta, a melancholy place now almost depopulated: in the time of the Venetians the fairest city in the island; and renowned for the brave defence they made in it against the infidels. The lines of the fortification which are very considerable are still sufficient to show the extent and former strength of this place; they are now suffered by the Turks to moulder away in ruins. Some cannon, with the arms of Venice, were lying dismounted on the ramparts; the Lieutenant of the fortress pointed to them with an air of triumph. Leaving the fortress we passed through the streets now deserted, a melancholy picture of Turkish desolation; the gateway by which we returned to the convent was paved with cannon balls.