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 | Kyrenia Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 26 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Miscellaneous Things To Do Tips | All Tips (26) Girne castle is the house of many archeological exhibitions, including a shipwreck museum. It is thought to have been constructed to protect the town against the Arab raids in the 7th century. In the castle, you can observe remnants of the different periods that have once ruled Cyprus. The byzantine Church, Lusignan hall, dungeons and rooms, Venetian towers and cistern, Ottoman tomb, etc... Leave a Comment Directions: By the marina (old harbour). The entrance to the castle is via a bridge built over the road that used to be a wide ditch.
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The former Arkhangelos Church is being used as an icon museum to exhibit the icons collected from Kyrenia and the vicinity. The church was built in 1860. The bell tower, which was added some years later can be viewed from all around the city. Leave a Comment Address: KyreniaDirections: Before you get to the marina (Old Harbour)
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 | |  |  | Visit a Castle - or two. First - St. Hilarion | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
St . Hilarion Castle is situated on a spectacular crag 2,400 feet above the plain. Its ancient stones contain the history of the political and religious conflicts which have raged in this region for centuries.
Originally a monastery, later the stronghold of Crusaders, Lusignans, the Holy Roman Empire, Genoese and Venetians.
Battles have been fought, won and lost here; cruel punishments administered -a microcosm of the history of piety and power, pity and cruelty.
The earliest, greatly restored, Byzantine foundations date from the 10th Century but the main structures still standing date from the 13th Century.
When we visited it was an exceptionally hot day (April) so make sue you have suitable clothing and sun protection. Strong shoes are essential for the rough steep terrain. There were no guided tours on offer so it helps to have a good guide book with you, and bottles of water. The only refreshments on offer when we were there were bottles of home made orange juice on sale in the ticket office - which we bought on the way out and later thought were responsible for dickey tummies! Leave a Comment Directions: About 6 miles south of Girne on Lefkosa road. When we were there the approach road was controlled - it was in a military area close to the YamanKislasi Camp -no stopping or photography! Things may be more relaxed now but look out for signs.
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| | | | A Day in Famagusta/Gazimagusa | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Another ancient city and scene of centuries of conflict. Once one of the wealthiest cities of the mediaeval world it was described by H.V. Morton, the English travel writer and journalist, as " one of the most remarkable ruins in the world."
It was here in a small shabby office the elderly man who was the full time volunteer Information Officer told us, with tears in his eyes, his story.
He had worked as an archaeologist with special responsibility for the preservation of ancient sites in the care of the, then, Ministry of Works and Ancient Monuments, under the British administration. After that period ended the budget was drastically reduced and he worked in the archives department. Now retired he devotes his time to keepng the office open and tidy, and receiving the few visitors who come. He was a wealth of information and gave us the history of the 14th Century Cathedral of St Nicholas consecrated in 1326 and now the Mosque, which he encouraged us to enter. We were shown old prints of 16thC. Famagusta. He pointed out the great fig tree outside the building, believed to be of the same age. He found a couple of dusty leaflets about the excavtions at Soli other advice about what else we must see. Finally he thanked us for our visit, hoped we - and more British visitors - would come again to his beloved island.
It was a poignant moment as he stood at the door waving goodbye as we left. Leave a Comment
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on November 1, 2004
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on November 15, 2004
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