| 08 April 1996 2/1996 |
EuropaEuropa 1996 - Famous Women |
Cyprus |
| This year's Europa 1996 consists of two stamps (10 and 30 cents) and its theme is "Famous Women". Cyprus Postal Services has chosen to present Maria Synglitiki and Caterina Cornaro. | ||
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Maria Synglitiki:Maria Synglitiki is a heroic figure of the great family of Singlitico. This rich family bought numerous nobility titles and privileges from the Venetians and contributed enormously in the organization of Nicosia's defense against the Turks, especially by helping in the erection of the city's forts. Maria Synglitiki (some refer to her as Arnalda) was one of many captives from Nicosia taken by the Turks. A group of the finest young men and women was selected to be sent as gift to Sultan Selim II. Maria, however, unwilling to suffer such a humiliation, managed on 6th October 1570 to set the gunpowder magazine on fire which resulted in the blowing of the ship. Two nearby ships were also destroyed while only four of the passengers survived. Thus, Maria, by her death, revenged herself on the barbarian rules of Cyprus. Text: George I. Hadjigeorgiou, Nicosia. |
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Caterina Cornaro:Caterina Cornaro (1454-1510), a tragic female figure who was the last queen of Cyprus (1472-1489). In 1472 she married James II, King of Cyprus, serving political and economic interests. The following year after the husband's suspicious death Text: George I. Hadjigeorgiou, Nicosia. |
