One of the most magical and popular castles in Cyprus

The Saint Hilarion Castle lies on the Kyrenia mountain range in Cyprus. It is by far the most accessible, popular and most complete of the three magnificent castles in the Kyrenia mountains built by the Byzantines and Crusaders.

It is believed that the castle was named after the saint of the name St. Hilarion, a little-known hermit and monk from Palestine, although there is not adequate evidence available.

The castle is named after a little known hermit who fled Palestine during the 7th century to live and die up here, purging the mountain of pagan demons. Photo Credit — *The castle is named after a little-known hermit who fled Palestine during the 7th century to live and die up here, purging the mountain of pagan demons. Photo Credit*

According to legend, he was extremely deaf and resilient to the shrieks of pagan demons that had been lurking and wondering about the mountain peak. Disgusted at their inability to make him go, they left the mountain in peace. During the 10^th century a Byzantine chapel, monastery and later a fort grew around his tomb.

*The first references to the castle are found in the 1191 records. Photo Credit*

Starting in the 11^th century, the Byzantines began to build fortifications. Saint Hilarion formed the defense of the island, along with the castles of Buffavento and Kantara, against Arab pirates raiding the coast.

Some sections were further upgraded under the Lusignan rule, who may have used it as a summer residence.

*The castle was probably strengthened in the early years of the Lusignan kingdom. Photo Credit*

During the rule of the Lusignans, the castle was the focus of a four-year struggle between Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and Regent John d’ Ibelin for control of Cyprus.

Especially after the invention of firearms and the increasing importance of defending the coastline, Saint Hilarion lost its functionality and importance along with the Kantara and the Buffavento castles.

The castle has three parts or wards: the lower and middle wards served economic purposes, while the upper ward housed the royal family. The lower section of the castle was being used for the soldiers and the horses. The Prince John tower sits on a cliff high above the lower castle.

The middle section contained the royal palace, the kitchen, the church and a big cistern.

*A monastery and a church were built here in the 10th century. Photo Credit*

At the entrance to the castle in the upper section, there is a Lusignan Gate with a courtyard in the middle.

The nobility used to live in the Eastern section; the kitchen and the other rooms for daily use were in the western section. Along the western wall, there is a scenic view of the northern coast of Cyprus, overlooking the city of Kyrenia, from the Queen’s window.

With the Venetians, the castles of St. Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara were demolished so that any chance of an enemy seizing them was made impossible.Photo Credit — *With the Venetians, the castles of St. Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara were demolished so that any chance of an enemy seizing them was made impossible. Photo Credit*

Much of the castle was dismantled by the Venetians in the 15^th century to reduce the up-keeping cost of garrisons.

The castle’s location is spectacular since is built among huge and extremely steep rocks and it is inaccessible from the north, northeast and east. Photo Credit — *The castle’s location is spectacular since is built among huge and extremely steep rocks and it is inaccessible from the north, northeast, and east. Photo Credit*

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Dramatically sited on a rocky crag with elegantly ruined turrets, towers, and windows, it certainly fires the imagination and formed the template for both the fairy-tale castles of King Ludwig in Bavaria and Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom.