Site name:

Örnek
Holidays

The original castle of St. Hilarion, to which the monastery gave place formed part of the Byzantine defense of the Island, which included castles of Kyrenia, Buffavento and Kantara also. The date of its construction is not recorded, but probably it was in the late 11th century. Alternatively, the building of the castle may have formed part of the measures taken by the Emperor Alexis I for the greater security of the Island, following a serious revolt in 1092.
The earliest references to the castle are found in the contemporary accounts of Richard Lion heart's campaign in the Island in 1191. After Richard's victory at Tremethousha, where Isaac Comnenus was captured, St. Hilarion and the island remained to be reduced. When Richard fell ill at Nicosia he assigned this task to Guy de Lusignans. At this time the castle was known as Didymus (the Twins), from the twin crests which crown the mountain peak on which it is built, a name which the Franks corrupted to Dieudamour (Dieu d'Amour). Untouched by warfare for the next 140 years, the castle, improved and embellished, seems to have become a summer residence for the Lusignans royal family. (more) | Read the full story | Detailed map |

Site name:

North Cyprus

St. Hilarion Castle, Kyrenia (or: Girne)
The castle is named after St. Hilarion, a hermit monk who fled from persecution in the Holy Land and lived and died in a cave on the mountain. Later in the 10th century the Byzantines built a church and monastery here. Along with Kantara and Buffavento, 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 from the 7th to the 10th centuries. Some 400 years after it was first built, the castle became a place of refuge and also a summer residence for the Lusignans. When the Venetians captured Cyprus in 1489, they relied on Girne (Kyrenia) Nicosia and Famagusta for the defence of the island and St. Hilarion was neglected and fell into oblivion. Source : An extract from the handout received when entering the castle. Photos: LEZ (more)