Famagusta's picturesque central square has witnessed much history. Here, during an outbreak of the plague of 1362, the papal legate, Peter Thomas, led his procession of bare-footed followers from the cathedral into the town. In 1372, a large number of Genoese were killed in a riot that took place at the coronation of Peter II – an incident that ultimately led to Cyprus’ war with Genoa. That same year, St Bridget cursed first the Latins for their excesses, and then the Greeks for remaining outside the Catholic faith. And in 1571, when the Ottoman general, Lala Mustafa finally took Famagusta, the Venetian Captain Marcantonio Bragadino was tortured and flayed alive before a crowd gathered before the cathedral. Today, the square is named after the 19th century Turkish poet Namik Kemal (1840-1888), considered by many to be the Shakespeare of Turkish literature.