st_hilarion_castle

Legend: In its main outline and arrangement the castle remained as the Byzantines built it, but many sections in their present form are Frankish, the work of those who rebuilt and improved the castle under the Lusignan kings. There are three divisions: 1 - The lower ward, occupying the southward slope below the rocky summit; used by armies and the horses. 2 - The middle ward, the main section on the eastward shoulder; used by commanders and special people. 3 - The upper ward, between the twin crests of the summit. Used by the royal couple, the king and the queen.

1 - Entrance (outer gate) 2 - Barbican 3 - Main entrance 4 - Cistern 5 - Corner-tower 6 - Stables
7 - Baths 8 - Middle ward gate house 9 - Byzantine church 10 - Hall 11 - Belvedère 12 - Kitchen block 13 - Buttery 14 - Terrace 15 - Royal apartments 16 - Barracks 17 - Open Tank 18 - Upper ward entrance 19 - Byzantine tower 20 - Kitchen 21 - Royal apartments 22 - Subsidary buildings 23 - Subsidary buildings and cisterns 24 - Subsidary buildings and cisterns 25 - Subsidary buildings and cisterns 26 - Prince John's tower 27 - Subsidary buildings and cisterns.

CYPRUS PLAN OF ST. HILARION CASTLE	Note: This plan will be found in the brochure you'll receive when entering the castle. All About All Crusades
Legend: In its main outline and arrangement the castle remained as the Byzantines built it, but many sections in their present form are Frankish, the work of those who rebuilt and improved the castle under the Lusignan kings. There are three divisions: 1 - The lower ward, occupying the southward slope below the rocky summit; used by armies and the horses. 2 - The middle ward, the main section on the eastward shoulder; used by commanders and special people. 3 - The upper ward, between the twin crests of the summit. Used by the royal couple, the king and the queen. 1 - Entrance (outer gate) 2 - Barbican 3 - Main entrance 4 - Cistern 5 - Corner-tower 6 - Stables 7 - Baths 8 - Middle ward gate house 9 - Byzantine church 10 - Hall 11 - Belvedère 12 - Kitchen block 13 - Buttery 14 - Terrace 15 - Royal apartments 16 - Barracks 17 - Open Tank 18 - Upper ward entrance 19 - Byzantine tower 20 - Kitchen 21 - Royal apartments 22 - Subsidary buildings 23 - Subsidary buildings and cisterns 24 - Subsidary buildings and cisterns 25 - Subsidary buildings and cisterns 26 - Prince John's tower 27 - Subsidary buildings and cisterns.

St. Hilarion castle was originally built as a watch tower to give warning of approaching Arab pirates who launched a continuous series of raids on Cyprus (and the coasts of Anatolia, Turkey) from the 7th to the 10th century. Some 400 years after it was first built, the castle became a place of refuge and also a summer residence for the Lusignans.