Why the Beşparmak Mountains Are Called “Five Fingers”: The History of the Name

The Beşparmak mountain range (Pentadaktylos), stretching along the northern coast of Cyprus, received its name because of its distinctive silhouette. When viewed from the coast, the peaks really do resemble a palm with five outstretched fingers.

The name also has a Greek version — Pentadaktylos, which literally translates as “five-fingered.” Folk legends are associated with this image: according to one of them, the “five fingers” mark was left by a mythical hero who protected the island; according to another, it is a symbol of divine intervention and protection of the land.

For centuries, the Beşparmak Mountains served as a landmark for sailors, a natural boundary, and an important element of local folklore. Today, this mountain range remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Northern Cyprus — its silhouette is visible from afar and often appears in photographs, postcards, and tourist routes.