A commandery of the Knights Templar...
ZEYTINLIK (TEMPLOS-TEMBLOS)

Zeytinlik lies approx. one mile above the historic port of Girne (Kyrenia), in the foothills of the Kyrenia mountain range, in an area of outstanding beauty.

In 1191 Kyrenia fell to the Crusaders led by Richard the Lionheart, but was then handed on to Guy de Lusignan who (and his heirs) divided the region into feudal estates.

Interestingly, some place names closely resemble the names given to them by the Frankish overlords. The village of Templos or Temblos (Zeytinlik in Turkish) was a Commandery of the Knights Templar.

Zeytinlik formed the end of one of the three escape routes from Saint Hilarion Castle.

The upper escape exit, called a "postern gate", (also: "sally port") is in the Upper Ward, where Kings, Queens, princes and high nobles could escape down the mountain side to Karaman (Karmi), when an enemy blocked the main entrance and surrender of the castles was imminent.

The second postern gate (picture at right) is in the Middle Ward of Saint Hilarion and was meant for lower ranking people - it led downhill to Zeytinlik.

See: ground plan of St. Hilarion (between nr. 16 and 17).

The third postern gate is in the Lower Ward and was meant for surprise attacks by foot soldiers.