How did the Ottoman Empire conquer Cyprus?

The Ottoman Empire’s conquest of Cyprus was driven by the determination of Sultan Selim II to acquire the island, which was then a Venetian possession. When the Venetians refused to cede the territory, Ottoman forces invaded in 1570.1

The military campaign proceeded as follows:

• Nicosia: A Turkish invading force landed on the island in 1570 and successfully seized Nicosia on September 9, 1570.21
• Famagusta: Following the fall of Nicosia, the Ottomans laid a bitter and prolonged siege to Famagusta. The city eventually fell in 1571, marking the end of Venetian rule and the beginning of more than three centuries of Ottoman administration.231

Although the Holy League achieved a significant naval victory against the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Lepanto in October 1571, the victory did not reverse the conquest. Venice ultimately made peace in 1573, formally surrendering the island to the Turks.1