Kyrenia Castle Northern Cyprus Maturning With Time
Kyrenia
Kyrenia Catle Northern Cyprus Maturning With Time
Once again we visitied North Cyprus and loved again, we stayed in North side of the island West of Kyrenia and travel to Kyrenia Most of days
We spent our days to visiting historical places so I would like to share my experience with you, If you havent go yet.
kyrenia’s Castle is mentioned for the fist time in early historical records from 1191, when King Richard the Lion heart become the new master of the island after having defeated the island’s last Byzantine Emperor Isaac Comnenus during the time of the third pilgrimage to Mecca. Resarch conducted in the inside and surroundings of the castle has revealed findings that have dated it to the Hellenistic period but the exact year of constuction has not yet been determined. However excavations carried out show that show that the original castle was fortified by the Byzantines in the 7th century A.D to protect against Arab raids. King Richard the lion hearts rule was not welcomed in Cyprus, so he sold the island the Knights Templar, who in turn sold it to Kind-Consort Guy de Lusignan. Thus Cyprus under Frankish rule for almost 300 years. The castle which was originally very sall, was enlarged and Forttofied. between 1208 and 1211 by lusignan King John of Dlbelin. In this period Byzantine Fortificants were reproducted and thus a new gateway, arrow loopholes, guards rooms and dungeons were added to the castle It was thus used as a place of refuge in periods of war and as a place of recreation in peaceful times. The castle was badly damaged by Genose attacts in 1373 but in 1489 Cyprus came under venetian rule and hence the castle was modified and refortified in order to meet the new military threat posed by the use of gunpowder
In the Castle you can visit Shipwreck Museum.
