ST. HILARION CASTLE

part 3
Sources: see Bibliography (Cyprus). Text was also taken from the St. Hilarion Castle Visitor's Guide published by the Antiguities Department of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Available with your ticket at the entrance.
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Description - This immense and important ruin has already been enclosed and secured from further depredation on the part of villagers by the Government of Cyprus (1904). | Plan of castle with Legenda |


The remains may be divided into three sections which represent the three lines of defence. All three portions present the appearance of having been built about the same time (with perhaps the exception of the main entrance), which according to the chroniclers was during the struggle between Imperialists and Royalists in 1228-1232.

A small Byzantine monastery existed on the site previous to the building of the Castle in the XIIIth eentury, and of this the church was preserved entire, and also a portion of a wall or range of buildings on the north side.

Section 1 - The outer enceinte and barbican enclosing a large area which constituted a bailey. Owing to its remarkable site the outer defences are naturally without any moat. The barbican was a comparatively small outwork and was closed with a mere gate without drawbridge or portcullis. Within this the main gate of the enceinte, surmounted by a semi-circular arch, was likewise unprovided with the usual drawbridge or portcullis. A mere wooden door afforded an entrance, but above it are four brackets of a machicoulis. At this point are preserved the only architectural features of the Castle which afford some clue to date. The brackets of the machicoulis are each decorated with a different sculptured device. Amongst them is a very curious representation of a lady's head with the curious horned head-dress of the XVth eentury.

... mere gate...

... semi-circular arch ...

... four brackets
of a
machicoulis ...

The enceinte is planned to enclose the whole summit of the mountain (2,386 ft. above sea level). Starting from the deep and precipitous valley on the east it climbs round the enclosure, of the bailey up the side of the valley on the south and joins on to the horizontal portion which crowns the top of the position. The length of this remarkable wall is about a quarter of a mile (approximately). In its length it has nine towers or semi-circular projections, spaced at a great distance from each other - it is in fact little more than a mere enclosure, and is built of indifferent rubble masonry. The mortar used in its construction is of lime and the hard stone of the mountain, which seems to have been pounded roughly for the purpose. This outer portion is of the XVth century.