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Girne(Kyrenia): 1) Bellapais: Four miles to the east of Girne, touching the peaceful village which was once home for Lawrence Durrell, the Bellapais Abbey is indisputably one of the most majestic sites of the island. It is the most impressive Gothic monument in North Cyprus. It overhangs citrus gardens which stretch out to the sea below. A truly magnificent view! The name comes from the combination of the French words 'belle' and 'pais' meaning "beautiful peace". 
It has also
been called Abbey de
la Pais (the Abbey
of Peace). It was
founded during the
Lusignan reign by
the Augustinians in
1205. Hugh III, a
Lusignan king,
financed the
majority of the
construction. Hugh
IV was even more
attached to
Bellapais, adding
magnificent
apartments and
living there between
1354 and 1358.
Durell, who admired
the oriental
Mediterranean, in
his book "Bitter
Lemons", gives us a
beautiful
description of
Cyprus in the
fifties, and reveals
the second
attraction of the
village: "the tree
of idleness".  2)
Old Kyrenia Harbour:
It is undoubtedly
one of the most
enchanting sites of
the oriental
Mediterranean. The
marina is surrounded
by old Venetian
houses, restaurants
and taverns. It
attracts numerous
colourful fishing
boats as well as
elegant yachts.
Girne was founded by
the Myceneans
towards 1600 BC.
3) The Kyrenia Castle: Nobody has yet been able to establish the exact date of the construction of the castle. As a result of excavations at the site, it is thought that the original castle was built in the 9th Century AD by the Byzantines to defend Girne against Arab raids. Later additions were constructed by the Lusignans and the castle was further strengthened by the Venetians. An interesting fact about the castle is that in al its history, the caste was never taken by assault. |
4) Panagia Chrysopolitissa:
Church of the 18th century now has the finest collection of icons in
Girne.
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6)
Three Magnificent Castles: The crusaders left behid three
castles on the Five Finger Mountains: Kantara, Buffavento and St.
Hilarion which were used as observation and defence posts. St.
Hilarion, the best preserved of the three, was used as a summer
residence by the kings of Cyprus. Its crenellated walls look as if
they were cut in the rock. Its square tower shelters a small
tavern. Built in the 10th Century during the Byzantine period, used
in the middle ages by the Lusignans and destroyed later in the 15th
Century by the Venetians, Buffavento Castle is only accessible after
quite a sportive walk. Those courageous enough will not be
dissapointed by the spectacular view. It used to be a prison,
escape castle and hideaway. Situated at the beginning of the Karpas
peninsula, the Kantara castle has an unsurpassed view on both north
coast and the Mesaoria plain towards Gazimagusa.