Journey to the Past
History of Saint Hilarion Castle
Although the exact date of construction is unknown, it is thought that the construction of this famous castle was completed in the 11th century. Built by the Eastern Roman Empire as a watchtower against Arab raids, St. Hilarion Castle was named after a saint who fled the occupation of Jerusalem and settled here and is known to have been a hermit.
During the Lusignan period, which left important works on the island, this castle became a place where the royal family settled in difficult times. This choice of the royalty was influenced by the sheltered structure of the castle as well as the living conditions being quite comfortable.
The most important parts of the castle are:
- Lower Castle: The main gate where the entrances to the castle are made is located here. This section contains the strong walls of the castle. You can also see the areas reserved for resting infantry and cavalry here.
- Middle Castle: In this section where the royal family resided, there are church and kitchen sections. Architecturally, the large cistern in this section is also worth seeing.
- Upper Castle This section contains the highest point of the castle and the Prince John Tower.
Today the castle is open to visitors and there is also a café and a souvenir shop.
Location
Where is Saint Hilarion Castle?
This castle, one of the important heritages from the Middle Ages in Cyprus, is located in the Karaman village of Kyrenia. Located on the side of the Beşparmak Mountains facing Kyrenia, it is possible to reach the castle by car or bus.
Transportation
How to get to St. Hilarion Castle?
The road to the castle is located on the Kyrenia – Nicosia highway. If you are going with your own car, it will be enough to enter the Beşparmak Mountain National Park road from Kyrenia and follow the signs indicating the direction of the castle. For a more comprehensive trip, you can also choose tours prepared with tour guides. If you want to go by tour bus, you can join the tours departing from Nicosia and Kyrenia.
There are several options to reach Kyrenia depending on where you are traveling from. If you are coming from Nicosia, Kyrenia can be reached in 45 minutes by road. You can also enter Cyprus via Kyrenia Port or Nicosia Airport.
Visit Information
Saint Hilarion Castle Visiting Hours and Entrance Fees
Visiting hours for St. Hilarion Castle are 08:00 – 18:00. If you want to enter the castle, you must be there at 16:30 at the latest. The entrance fee is 50 TL for adults and 20 TL for students.
If you are interested in mountaineering and want to climb the castle, we recommend you to wear comfortable clothes. Some sections are particularly steep and narrow. Water and food are not sold in and around the castle, so you may want to bring water and food with you. If you are going out during the summer months in Cyprus, we recommend sunscreen and a hat.
Saint Hilarion Castle Photos
Plan your Kyrenia Travel Route
Places to visit in Kyrenia
Home to the island’s most luxurious restaurants, bars and casinos, Kyrenia is full of historical and touristic attractions. Many civilizations, including the Byzantines, Lusignans, Venetians and the Ottoman Empire, have left artifacts here.
