North Cyprus Forums

[neo666]

the sheer magnitude of the historical significance and centuries old culture may make one overlook some of the places,specially if the stay is not an extended one, however if visiting kyrenia, the kyrenia castle is a must see!A huge round tower that is the legacy of the venetians! Looked after now by the girne house of antiquities,which is housed inside the castle,it was regarded as a military post in the past. just Above the inner gateway, carved into the stone, is the coat of arms - the Crusader Lusignans, the baronial family who ruled Cyprus for 3 centuries in the Middle Ages.THE COAT OF ARMS is to be seen and consist of three lions prancing on their hind legs.Littering the ground are some Byzantine capitals and stones. the tower are interlinked.A MUST SEE

[rocking_one86]

Let me write here some history behind the castle.As we all know, Kyrenia Castle in Northern Cyprus stands at the entrance to the harbour at Kyrenia, guarding this important and strategic North Cyprus port since the 1500s. There has been a settlement at Kyrenia since the 10th century BC, but the first major castle at Kyrenia was constructed by the Romans, and subsequently fortified by the Byzantines. The Byzantine structure of four towers linked by walls was later strengthened and enlarged by the Lusignan family. The current appearance of Kyrenia Castle dates from when the Venetians were "given" the island of Cyprus in 1489.