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Kyrenia Harbour
Renowned as one of the most beautiful harbour's in the Mediterranean Kyrenia harbour boasts many restaurants, cafes and bars and the sight of the colorful boats and yachts that line its coast make for an enjoyable day or evening out.
Bellapais Monastery
Built by Augustinian monks in 1025 AD, the remains are a reminder of exquisite gothic architecture. The abbey is now used for weddings, art exhibitions and is famous for staging many wonderful concerts.
Buffavento castle
Built as a watchtower by the Byzantines, the castle enabled its armies to keep a close eye on any potential raids by the Arabs. The watchtower was converted into a castle by the Lusignan who used it primarily as a prison.
St Hilarion Castle
The castle is rumoured to get its name from a saint named Hilarion. First found in records of 1191 the 10th century castle was of great importance strategically, later however the castle became a summer retreat for the Lusignan nobility.
The castle has three parts. The parapets for the defence of the main entrance were fortified by the Byzantines in the 11th century. The lower section of the castle was being used for the soldiers and their horses. The middle section contained the royal palace, the kitchen, the church and a big cistern. At the entrance to the castle in the upper section there is a Lusignan Gate. There is a courtyard in the middle. The nobility used to live in the Eastern section, the kitchen and the other rooms for daily use were in the western section.
On his way to the third crusade Richard the Lion heart managed to capture the castle.
The panoramic view through the Queen’s window (a window carved in the Gothic style) on the second floor of the royal apartments is superb. The Prince John Tower is at the top.
The Shipwreck Museum
Located inside the Kyrenia castle the shipwreck museum holds the remains of the oldest shipwreck ever discovered, the ship is 14.75m x 4.4m and the findings suggest that this Syrian commercial ship sank off the coast of Kyrenia in 3rd century BC.
The Museum of Folk Arts
Located within the historic port of Kyrenia this 18th century house serves as a museum and displays oil presses, a wooden threshing sled, primitive ploughs, agricultural tools and historic garments.
Baldoken Graveyard
In 1571 the Ottomans conquered Cyprus and reserved a cemetery for soldiers The graveyard, which stands near to the municipality car park and St Andrews Church, was restored by the Vakif office (national trust) in 1995.
The Icon Museum
The Archangelos church was built in 1860 and houses many beautiful crafted icons that have been collected from Kyrenia and its municipalities.
Kyrenia Castle
A very impressive castle that was originally built by the Byzantines to protect the area from Arab raids. Additional parts to the castle have been added by the Lusignan and Venetians during their periods of rule over Cyprus. The castle was surrendered to the Ottomans before any damage could be done the castle and remains as it did in those days.
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