Girne (Kyrenia) Castle

Kyrenia, Cyprus

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Girne (Kyrenia) Castle is a large medieval fortress overlooking the harbor of Kyrenia on the northern coast of Cyprus.

Its origins date back to the Byzantine period, when it was built to defend the city from maritime attacks, and it was later expanded by the Lusignans and extensively strengthened by the Venetians in the 16th century to withstand artillery warfare. Throughout its history, the castle was controlled by several powers, including Richard the Lionheart, the Knights Templar, the Lusignan Kingdom of Cyprus, the Venetians, and the Ottomans.

Its strategic location made it one of the island’s most important defensive strongholds. Today, Kyrenia Castle is one of Cyprus’s best-preserved historical monuments. Visitors can explore its ramparts, chapel, courtyards, and museums, including the famous Kyrenia Shipwreck Museum, which displays the remains of one of the world’s oldest recovered merchant ships.