Kyrenia, Cyprus

Kyrenia is a city in northern Cyprus. Evidence shows that it has been inhabited since 5800-3000 BC but it's traditionally accepted that the city was founded by the Achaeans after the Trojan War.
By the late 4th, early 3rd century BC there was a lively maritime activity, evident in an ancient shipwreck discovered in 1965 and now exhibited in Kyrenia castle.
During the Roman period, Kyrenia continued to be a populous and prosperous city and it was during this period that the first castle was built. With the division of the Roman Empire Kyrenia fell under the Bizantine rule.
During the crusades, King Richard I of England became the master of the island but eventually sold it to Guy de Lusignan in order to get more funding for his crusade. Under Frankish rule, Kyrenia again became the commercial and administrative centre of the region. The castle was enlarged and walls and towers were built around the town.
In 1489 Cyprus was conquered by the Venetians who remodelled the castle to better address the threats from gunpowder and cannons but the city surrendered to the Ottoman Empire in 1571.

What to visit:
Bellapais Abbey (7 km away)

 How to go:
You can take an excursion with Explore Cyprus, which can be booked online and paid to the guide on the day of the excursion.




Local: Girne

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