If the grand fortifications of Kyrenia Castle could talk, they could sure tell some tales. First built by the Byzantines – possibly over the remains of an earlier Roman fort – every era of conquerors from Richard the Lionheart to the Ottomans has added their own touch to its bulk.
A large rectangular structure, the castle contains a cistern, dungeon, chapel and museum, though the real highlight is walking along the ramparts high above the harbour.
You enter the castle via the stone bridge over the former moat, which leads to the small 12th-century Byzantine Chapel of St George . Its broken mosaics and Corinthian columns, originally outside the walls, were incorporated into the larger structure by the Venetians.
The western side of the inner castle is home to the infamous dungeon where King Peter I’s pregnant mistress, Joanna L’Aleman, was tortured by order of the king’s jealous wife, Queen Eleanor.
Across the courtyard, the northeast Lusignon bastion tower features mannequins dressed in armour. The Venetian bastion tower is in the southeast corner. Between the towers are two small museums.
You can walk between the castle’s four towers via the handrailed ramparts, but follow the marked routes as some sections can be quite dangerous. Keep younger children close by at all times. Views of the Old Harbour are fantastic from here, especially in the morning light.
