The fortress rears itself on a series of pinnacles similar to those which form the foundation of the two companion castles, St HilarionCastle and Buffavento. In this case, after several hairpin bends, the motor road goes to within a few minutes' walking distance of the outer fortifications. This is the most easterly and the least in height (2,068 ft) of the three castles, but high enough to look in all four directions: to replanted forest areas to the south, with the Mesaoria and Famagusta Bays in the distance; a good view of the sea and, on clear days, the mountainous coast of Anatolia to the north; a series of dolomitic peaks on the west side; and the long 'tail' of the island diminishing as it extends east.
There are more myths than history attached to Kantara Castle and as always the story of a mysterious 101st room and of a 'Queen' who has given her name to the topmost chamber of the ruins. Search for legendary treasure has no doubt accounted for further dilapidation since the removal of the Venetian garrison in 1525. The first historical mention of Kantara is a siege by royalist forces in 1228, during which attack the outer defences were so badly damaged by catapult that they had to be completely rebuilt early in the fourteenth century. Unlike the castle of St Hilarion, this was never in use as a palace, but was a watch tower and prison; and in 1373 it became a place of sanctuary for the Prince of Antioch when with the help of a faithful cook he escaped from Genoese captivity in Famagusta.
The castle is in worse condition than St Hilarion, but better than Buffavento. A point of interest lies in observing how the defenders of these heights took every advantage of the precipitous natural rock, which ruled out the necessity for building a completely encircling wall. Entry is by the Main Gate on the east side. This had a small bailey, but the main defences were two flanking towers in the very high wall. The one to the north-east is two-storeyed, with a projecting turret with loopholes, the purpose of which is presumed to have been defence of the great water cistern immediately below, and therefore outside the castle enceinte, and also commanding the main gate as well as overlooking the sea approaches. The Guardroom on the opposite (south) side of the main entrance is in good condition. This had access to an oubliette through which prisoners could pass without the main gate being opened for them.
The ruins were strengthened and made safe in 1914. There is a vertiginous drop to the ramparts on the north side, which gives the best view of all. The better-preserved parts of the castle may be seen from the path following the southerly perimeter, and leading past three identical square rooms with loopholes, used as military quarters with an adjoining latrine. Then at the south-east angle there are three more vaulted rooms, one of which is equipped with a small gate to be used in emergency, and at right angles two more which were used for water storage. From that point it is possible to make a choice of paths leading upwards to the roofless upper chamber of the 'Queen', of which a stone window in the south wall survives. This portion of the castle may originally have been equipped with a small drawbridge. But imaginative reconstruction of the buildings according to any theory is difficult due to the degree of destruction and the amount of rocky debris on the site. In spite of this, however, Kantara is one of the most magical and atmospheric of castles.
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