Kyrenia (Girne)
Situated on the north coast of
Cyprus, Kyrenia, with its 6,000 year long history, unique remains of countless
civilisations, miles of natural beaches, calm sea, and mild climate is an
idyllic Mediterranean town.
Bounded to the north by the sea
and to the south by the greenery of the Beşparmak (Fivefinger) Mountain range,
it offers the most magnificent scenery on the island.
Kyrenia's charming and tiny
harbour, full of yachts and fishing boats, is framed by the colossal hulk of its
Crusader castle. With the backdrop of the jagged mountains behind and the calm
sparkling sea in front, the harbour has an intoxicatingly serene atmosphere.
Kyrenia is an easy place to while
away any time of the day, exploring shops, markets and local cafés in
late morning, strolling in the narrow cobbled alleys behind the harbour in
the afternoon, or stepping out for a brisk walk along the promenade and sea wall
in the evening.
The beautiful
harbour is dominated by the majestic Kyrenia Castle which houses
a museum containing the remains of the one of the oldest ancient
ships salvaged from the sea.
Overlooking the entrance to the
harbour is Kyrenia Castle. Dating from the time of the Byzantines, its massive
defences surround a complex mixture of building styles from centuries before and
it is likely that there was a Roman fort here originally. Subsequently enlarged
and strengthened by the Lusignans and then the
Venetians, the castle is now home
to many historical artefacts and is the current resting-place of the world's
oldest shipwreck.
As the sun sets, Kyrenia
harbour again becomes the focus of activity as the locals take their evening
stroll and the cafés and bistros that face the sea prepare
for their nightly trade. Crisp white linen and small vases of local flowers are
lovingly arranged on tabletops to welcome the evening's guests to wine and dine
in the cooling breeze.
Just a few minutes drive away, lies the fairy-tale castle of St.Hilarion.
Rumoured to be the original inspiration for Walt
Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty', St Hilarion was built during the
crusades and those intrepid enough to brave the long walk to its
battlements will be rewarded with stunning views of Kyrenia and
the whole of the island's northern coastline..
The
enchanting village of Bellapais
overlooking the town with its ancient abbey offers
a peace and quiet for and is ideal starting point for hill-walking.
Bellapais Abbey
The beauty of Bellapais is legendary. Set in the mountains, just
ten minutes above Kyrenia, a visit to this 14th century Lusignan
abbey with its fabulous location and pervasive atmosphere of calm
is a must.
When Lawrence
Durrell, famous British author, bought a house in the village of
Bellapais, he felt 'guilty of an act of fearful temerity in trying
to settle in so fantastic a place'.
Kyrenia 
