John Locke, on his way back from Jerusalem, spent fifteen days in Cyprus. He wrote in his diary:
The sixth day we rid to Nicosia which is from Arnacho seven Cyprus miles, which are one and twentie Italian miles. This is the ancientest citie of the island and is walled about, but it is not strong neither of walls not of situation. It is by report three miles about, it is not thoroughly inhabited, but hath many great gardens in it, and also very many date trees and plenty of pomegranates and other fruites. There dwell all the Gentilitie of the Island and there hath every Cavallier or Conte of the Island an habitation. There is in this citie one fountain rented by saint Marke, which is bound every eight days once, to water all the gardens in the towne, and the keeper of this fountain hath for every tree a Bizantin, which is twelve soldes Venice and six pence sterling. He that had that too farme, with a faire and profitable garden thereto belonging, paieth every yeere to saint Mark, fifteene hundred crownes. The streets of the citie are not paved, which maketh it with the quantitie of the gardens, to seeme but a rurall habitation. But there be many faire buildings in the citie, there be also monasteries both of Franks and Greeks.