The crusaders left behid three castles on the Five Finger Mountains: Kantara, Buffavento and St. Hilarion which were used as observation and defence posts. St. Hilarion, the best preserved of the three, was used as a summer residence by the kings of Cyprus. Its crenellated walls look as if they were cut in the rock. Its square tower shelters a small tavern. Built in the 10th Century during the Byzantine period, used in the middle ages by the Lusignans and destroyed later in the 15th Century by the Venetians, Buffavento Castle is only accessible after quite a sportive walk. Those courageous enough will not be dissapointed by the spectacular view. It used to be a prison, escape castle and hideaway.
Situated at the beginning of the Karpas peninsula, the Kantara castle has an unsurpassed view on both north coast and the Mesaoria plain towards Gazimagusa.
