St. Hilarion, Kyrenia

Name: St. Hilarion
Address: Nicosia road, Kyrenia, Cyprus
Telephone: 0533 161 276

#1 among attractions in Kyrenia

Top attraction, Forts and castles, Ruins, Historical place, More...

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Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zairon / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Josef Moser / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zairon / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Dickelbers / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zairon / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / CTHOE / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Tourguide / URL

Facts and practical information

Perched high on the Kyrenia mountain range, overlooking the coastal city of Kyrenia in Cyprus, lies the majestic St. Hilarion Castle. This medieval fortress, with its fairy-tale-like appearance, is a relic of Cyprus's tumultuous past and a testament to the island's strategic importance through the ages.

St. Hilarion Castle was originally built in the 11th century as a watchtower to guard against Arab pirate raids. Over time, it was expanded into a formidable stronghold. Its position on the rocky crags made it a key defensive site for the various rulers of Cyprus, including the Byzantines, the Lusignans, and the Venetians.

The castle is named after a hermit monk, St. Hilarion, who fled persecution in the Holy Land and is believed to have lived and died on the mountain. The site later became a monastery before its transformation into a military fortress.

Today, the castle is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its well-preserved ruins and to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Troodos Mountains. The castle is divided into three distinct wards, each rising above the other and linked by a series of winding steps and arched passages.

The lower ward once contained the stables and the living quarters for the men-at-arms. The middle ward was home to the church and the royal family's private apartments, while the upper ward was reserved for the most important residents and included the royal palace and a strikingly beautiful Gothic chapel.

Exploring St. Hilarion Castle is like stepping back in time. The remains of the castle's cisterns, barracks, and royal apartments give a glimpse into the daily life of its former inhabitants. The castle's strategic vantage point also offers some of the most stunning views in Cyprus, making it a photographer's paradise.

St. Hilarion Castle is open to the public year-round, with the spring and autumn months being particularly pleasant for visiting due to the milder weather. The climb to the castle can be steep and challenging, but it is well worth the effort for the history, the architecture, and the unrivaled views that await at the summit.

Local name: Κάστρο του Αγίου Ιλαρίωνα Coordinates: 35°18'45"N, 33°16'52"E

Address

Nicosia roadKyrenia Cyprus

Contact

0533 161 276

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Kyrenia

Day trips

St. Hilarion – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Bellapais Abbey, Kyrenia Castle, Shipwreck Museum, Acheiropoietos Monastery.

4.2 miE
Steakhouse, Monastery, Gothic architecture
Bellapais Abbey, Bellapais
108 min walk • Nestled in the tranquil village of Bellapais, Cyprus, Bellapais Abbey stands as a majestic testament to the island's medieval history. This Gothic-style monastery, a serene relic surrounded by the beauty of Northern Cyprus, invites travelers to step back in time...
3.1 miNE
Ancient castle with 4th-century BCE ship
Kyrenia Castle, Kyrenia
79 min walk • Kyrenia Castle, at the east end of the old harbour in Kyrenia is a 16th-century castle built by the Venetians over a previous Crusader fortification. Within its walls lies a twelfth-century chapel showing reused late Roman capitals, and the Shipwreck Museum.
3.1 miNE
History museum, Museum
Shipwreck Museum, Kyrenia
79 min walk • The Kyrenia Ship is the wreck of a 4th-century BC ancient Greek merchant ship. It was discovered by Greek-Cypriot diving instructor Andreas Cariolou in November 1965 during a storm. Having lost the exact position, Cariolou carried out more than 200 dives until he re-discovered the wreck in 1967 close to Kyrenia in Cyprus.
5.8 miNW
Monastery
Acheiropoietos Monastery
149 min walk • The Acheiropoietos Monastery in Lambousa near the village of Karavas in the Kyrenia District, was a medieval Byzantine Orthodox Monastery.The monastery is currently under the conservation of the International Center for Heritage Studies of Girne American University.
5.1 miNW
Town
Karavas
131 min walk • In addition to its natural attractions, Karavas is also home to several historical sites that offer insight into the region's rich past. One notable landmark is the Church of Ayios Panteleimon, a 12th-century Byzantine church with beautiful frescoes and intricate...
1.5 miN
Universities and schools
Girne American University
38 min walk • Girne American University is a non-profit university in Girne, a city in Northern Cyrpus. The university was founded in 1985 by Mr Serhat Akpinar as an institution of American-style higher education.
4.2 miE
Memorial
Bitter Lemons, Bellapais
108 min walk • Bitter Lemons is an autobiographical work by writer Lawrence Durrell, describing the three years he spent on the island of Cyprus. The book was awarded the Duff Cooper Prize for 1957, the second year the prize was awarded.
3.7 miE
Universities and schools
British University of Nicosia, Kazafani
95 min walk • Cyprus Science University was founded in 2013 by the Özok company. It is accredited by YÖK, the Higher Education Council of Turkeyl; and YÖDAK, the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and coordination Council of Northern Cyprus; but not yet by any international accrediting agency.