Kyrenia Castle

Although the exterior of the castle presents a bold geometric outline, the almost quadrangular interior is unexpectedly complicated, due to successive stages of occupation and reinforcement to the original fortifications, which entailed adding to them at many different levels. It can best be understood by following the route recommended in the official leaflet on sale at the custodian's office. However, should time not allow for such a detailed inspection, the following are among the most interesting features: Byzantine Chapel, This part of the twelfth-century construction stood outside the wall of the castle until it came to be encompassed by the Venetian wall and employed as part of their fortification in depth. At this period the dome was removed (it has recently been replaced), but the four marble columns, which probably come from an earlier basilica on the same site, were retained. Gatehouse. The fourteenth century structure of the Prankish period had one gate reinforced by a portcullis. The Lusignan coat of arms above the gate is contemporary, although it has been fixed into the structure in modern times. At the corner of the entrance passage there is the tomb of Sadik Pasha of Algiers, the commander of the Turkish fleet, who died in the year he took Kyrenia Castle.

The Royal Apartments of the later Lusignan kings may have occupied the west range of buildings. In the middle storey there is a palatial vaulted room with large windows which suggest that the outer Prankish wall at that point must have been of sufficient height to afford protection. Dungeons occupy the space below. There was a small Latin chapel and a sacristy on the upper storey. The South-west Bastion illustrates the Venetian principle of fortification, whereby the south and west sections of the moat could be enfiladed from three levels. A postern gate leading back into the courtyard is decorated by three lions sculptured in relief. These and parts of a column used in a near-by wall suggest that they have been taken from a Roman building.

The space between the Byzantine and the Prankish walls of the south range was filled in by the Venetians, but in recent times these structures have been uncovered. A good part of the Prankish east range is in good condition. A large proportion of the buildings on this side of the courtyard were occupied by domestic offices. The North-East Tower, which rises sheer above a glacis descending into the harbour (not far from the opening to the sea used in earlier days and now again made navigable), consists of two lofty chambers one above the other, with loopholes opening from arched recesses. This was a strictly military part of the castle, and held an important salient position. TheNorth Cyprus, which has been used variously during this century as prison cells and naval barracks, can be prospected from roof level, where the great battlements have recesses the size of sentry-boxes for the protection of the defenders. The top of the North-West Corner lower, reached from ground-level by a ramp, should not be omitted as a place of final appraisal, because from here is obtained the best view of the town and mountains, as well as demonstrating the immense field of fire of the Venetian fortress. It is also the best place from which to prospect the remains of the fortifications of the town itself. Museums in Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum (in Kyrenia Castle) Same Opening Hours
Exceptionally interesting remains of a fourth-century B.C. Greek ship salvaged off Kyrenia under the auspices of the University Museum of Pennsylvania in 1968. Items from its cargo are housed in a room near the entrance to the castle courtyard. This included numerous amphorae - twelve of which contained almonds, giving evidence of their original contents and some very interesting grain mills. Certain other articles are presumed to have come from the ship's two galleys, and therefore have been of assistance in determining the construction of the vessel. It is estimated that the rebuilding of the ship, which owes its fine condition to having been entirely covered by sand, will take seven years. Meanwhile the timbers of its hull are on exhibition in the opposite range of castle buildings, enclosed in tanks of preservative liquid. The tanks are glass-topped, and their contents may be viewed from a gallery.