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All
about Kantara Castle, Cyprus (1) |
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KANTARA
CASTLE - The period in history
called BYZANTINE, was from about 400 AD. to 1000 A.D. and in the
latter part of that period there were extensive Arab raids from
the east and to the northern coast of Cyprus. The castles of Kyrenia
Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara
were built as defensive sites, and the last one, Kantara remote
from all the others. It lies astride the rocky crest... (more) |
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KANTARA
CASTLE - Kantara, is situated
at the Eastern end of the Kyrenia Range (2,068 ft.). It is 26
miles North of Famagusta reached via Iskele and Ardahan villages.
The castle is 2 miles east of the summer resort which is also
called Kantara (1,800 ft.). Kantara
means a bridge or arch in Arabic probably so named by the Arab
invaders in the past. In fact the whole setting of the terrain
looks like an arch and it certainly commands excellent views of
the seas on both sides and of long stretches of plain all around
it. It was originally built by Byzantines against the invasions
of the Saracens. The Lusignans called it Candare or La Candaire.
They remodelled and enlarged these fortifications... (more) |
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KANTARA
CASTLE - The Greek Byzantine
Castle of Kantara is situated in the eastern edge of Pentadactylos
range, with two more castles western of it (Saint Hilarion, and
Voufavento). Built on an elevetion of 2068 feet it observes the
entire northern shoreline of Cyprus, the Mesaoria area in the
south, and controls the entrance of the Karpasia Peninsula. All
three castles on Mount Pentadactylos (St. Hilarion, Voufavento,
Kantara)
were built by Byzantine Greeks, after the entire liberation of
Cyprus from the Arab danger in 965 A.D. Nothing is known about
Kantara castle until the conquer of Cyprus by Richard the Lionheart
in 1191, where Isaac Komninos fleed in the Kantara Castle after
his defeat by Richard Lionheart in Tremetoushia.... (more) |
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