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Kyrenia Castle

Castles & palaces ·Kyrenia
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#5Things to do in Kyrenia Kyrenia DistrictTravelers' Choice 2025
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About

Kyrenia Castle overlooks the harbour in Kyrenia and houses a museum with a 4th-century BC shipwreck.

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Kyrenia Castle

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Why go

  • The 4th-century BC merchant ship and its cargo in the Shipwreck Museum.
  • The Church of St George, with its dome and marble columns.
  • The ramparts overlooking Kyrenia harbour and the sea.

Don't miss

  • Sadik Pasha’s tombThe Ottoman admiral’s sarcophagus stands on the way to the courtyard.Entrance corridor
  • Three-lion emblemThe emblem was brought from another building.Inner gateway vault
  • Soldier figuresThe figures represent soldiers who served at the castle.Northeast tower, left of the Shipwreck Museum
  • Tomb and settlement findsFinds from tombs and a Neolithic settlement are displayed here.A room off the courtyard
  • Royal apartments and chapelA climb leads to the royal apartments and a small chapel.Above the courtyard

Interesting facts7

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  1. 400 amphorae

    The ship’s cargo included about 400 amphorae, as well as almonds and millstones.

    Festung Kyrenia - Wikipedia
  2. 14.75 metres

    The ship was originally 14.75 metres long and 4.2 metres wide.

    Festung Kyrenia - Wikipedia

  3. The church’s marble columns have Corinthian capitals reused from an older building.

    Kyrenia Castle - Wikipedia

  4. The landward moat once held water and served as a harbour for the castle.

    Kyrenia Castle - Wikipedia

  5. Gun ports on three levels allowed defenders to fire on attackers approaching from land.

    Château de Kyrenia - Wikipedia

  6. Long ramps inside the castle helped move artillery onto the walls.

    Kyrenia Castle - Wikipedia

  7. The courtyard cistern supplied the castle with drinking water.

    Kyrenia Castle – NORTH CYPRUS DISCOVERY

Shorts

History

Richard I captured it in 1191, and John of Ibelin enlarged it between 1208 and 1211. The Venetians rebuilt the castle in its present form in 1540. The British later used it as a police barracks, training school and prison.

  1. 7th c.The Byzantines built a castle to defend Kyrenia from seaborne attacks.
  2. 1191Richard I of England captured the castle during the Third Crusade.
  3. 1208–1211John of Ibelin enlarged the castle, adding towers, an entrance, arrow slits and dungeons.
  4. 1373A Genoese attack nearly destroyed the castle.
  5. 1540The Venetians enlarged the castle and gave it its present appearance.
Show all
  1. 1960The castle opened to the public.

Legends and hidden details

  • During the castle’s longest siege, which lasted nearly four years, the occupants ate mice and rats.

What's inside

  • The Shipwreck Museum occupies three rooms in the east wing. The first room displays photographs of the ship’s recovery.
  • The museum’s second room contains a full-size replica of the ship’s main frame, along with equipment and crew belongings.
  • The ship’s hull is displayed on the gallery of the museum’s third room.
  • A guardroom, stables and living quarters line the inner courtyard. A medieval great hall also survives.
  • Lusignan arched rooms stand north and east of the courtyard, with royal quarters to the west.
  • Byzantine fortifications and remains occupy the southern courtyard.
  • A tower displays historical armour and flags of countries that controlled the castle.

Tips for your visit

  • Take care on the battlements: some steps are worn and railings are broken.
  • The north-west entrance is reached by a bridge across the moat.
  • The café and souvenir shop are at the northern end of the courtyard; toilets are also in the courtyard.

Sources: Kyrenia Castle - Wikipedia · Kyrenia - Wikivoyage (see) · Kyrenia Castle – NORTH CYPRUS DISCOVERY · Kyrenia Castle – NORTH CYPRUS DISCOVERY · Festung Kyrenia - Wikipedia · Κάστρο της Κερύνειας - Wikipedia · Château de Kyrenia - Wikipedia · Girne Kalesi - Wikipedia · checked 28 Oct 2026

Where
Kupdemir Sk, Kyrenia

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Where is Kyrenia Castle and how do you enter it?

Kyrenia Castle stands at the east end of Kyrenia harbour. A bridge across the moat leads to its northwest entrance.

What can you see at Kyrenia Castle’s Shipwreck Museum?

The museum displays a 4th-century BC merchant ship, its cargo and equipment. Its three rooms include a full-size replica of the ship’s main frame.

Are there toilets and a café at Kyrenia Castle?

Yes. Toilets are in the courtyard, and the café is at its northern end.

Can you walk on the ramparts at Kyrenia Castle?

Ramps lead to the upper wall defences. Take care on the battlements, where some steps are worn and railings are broken.

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