Kyrenia Places of interest to visit
Discover unspoilt Kyrenia
Antiphonitis monastery:
This beautiful and monastery built in the twenty century is worth visiting not only out of historical interest, but also for its impressive forest location. The church within the monastery is in particularly good condition, although some of the Byzantine murals have been removed or damager. Please be aware that a sturdy vehicle is needed on the road to the monastery.
Bellapais Abbey
This exquisite Gothic building in the beautiful mountain village of Bellapais was built by Augustinian monks in 1205 AD. and was knows as ‘Abbey of our lady of the Mountain. The name Bellapais comes from the Greek ward eqiskopia (meaning bishopric). The Frank, unable to pronounce the ward accurately referred to the building as "Lapais". In time the Abbey came to be known as,’’Abbeye de la paix’’.
Buffavento Castle
At analtitude of 954 meters, Buffavento, which mean wind defying, has an apt name. Along with St. Hillarion and Kantara the caste was build by the Byzantines to ward off Arab attacks. The Lusignans, during their rule, extended and further fortifier the castle, but tended to use the castle as a prison rather than a military stronghold. The Venetians, finding they had little use for the castle dismantled and abandoned it. Although there is relatively little left of the castle structure, a walk to the castle from the road below is a rewarding experience giving amazing views of the Girne mountain range to the east and west, the sea to the North, and the central plain to the south.
Girne castle
This breathtaking castle sits at one end of the picturesque Girne Harbour. The ordinal foundations were lain in the seventy century A.D. although the castle was further extended and fortifier by both the Louisianans and the Venetians. As a defensive structure Girne Castle was highly effective in preventing invasion of the town, that is. Until the Gazimagusa had, surrendered.
Lambusa and Lapta
At the ruins of the ancient city of Lambusa remains have found proving inhabitancies as far back as Neolithic times. There is also evidence of continued settlement during Phoenician and Prolemy ascendance in Cyprus. Bu it seems that the town developed and grew in terms of wealth and stature during Roman and early Byzantine times. That is at least party suggested by the Byzantine name Lambusa, which means lighter shining.
During the seventy century A.D. repeated Arab raids force the inhabitants to abandon the town and relocate further in land in Lapta.
Shipwreck Museum:
This museum can be found inside Girne Castle and consists of one exhibit-namely a boat which sank off the coast of Girne in the century B.C. the boat, discovered by a local fisherman, was found to contain nearly four hundred amphora containing foodstuffs, cutlery and crockery which are on display in the museum. The boat itself is 14.75 metre long 4.4 meters wide with a hull made of pinewood lined whit lead. it is believed to be the oldest boat in the world.
St.Hilarion Castle:
This fairytale castle, said to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for the film' Fantasia’’, occupies the mountain-top that overlooks Girne. Originally the site of the castle was the abode of a hermit named Hillarion upon which a monastery was later built in his honour. The building was later fortified by the Byzantines and the castle existed in conjunction with Kantara and Buffavento, along the northern coast, with the aim deterring attacks from seafaring Arabs.
During Louisianan rule the castle was further and was also used as the king’s summer residence. The castle fell into disuse during Venetian times due to the development of new military techno long which made its upkeep unnecessary.