Of the three mountain fortresses that adorn the North Cyprus landscape, Kantara Castle is by far the most romantic. Its imposing structure stands proud upon the mountainside east of Kyrenia above the largely desolate coast road that runs to Kaplica village. To reach the castle most visitors arrange car hire Northern Cyprus having some attractions, like Kantara, that are rather remote from the main tourist centres. Off the coast road to Kaplica take a turning up-hill towards Kantara Village. The turning should be obvious to all visitors, being opposite the Kaplica Restaurant and beach on the left. The road up to the castle is mostly single-track with passing places. On arrival at the castle there is ample parking close by to the castle’s entrance.
Majestic Kantara
Kantara Castle is the most complete of the three fortresses. Some guidebooks suggest that only a general tidy up and a new lick of paint would be needed to transform Kantara into a useable living space. It stands at just over 2,000 ft at the eastern end of the North Cyprus mountain range, offering visitors breathtaking views over the Karpas Peninsula.
The entrance of the castle leads immediately to the Barbican – a holding fort guarded by two imposing rectangular towers. These are mostly ruined now, only the tiled parts of the towers still remain. The inner entrance to the castle is accessed through the wall that runs between the two towers.
Once inside the main castle complex there are several towers and chambers to explore. Immediately to the right of the entrance is the North East Tower. This juts out from the complex and offers a wonderful vantage point from which to view the entire northern coast of the Karpas Peninsula. Below the tower is a passageway leading to a square chamber, and then onwards to a horseshoe shaped vaulted tower with archery positions set into the stonework.
To the left of the main castle entrance is the South East Tower. Underneath it is a vaulted room, which is documented as having being used as a prison. Further on into the castle complex are rooms that were habited by soldiers garrisoned here.
At the southernmost end of the castle steps lead up along wall remnants to the highest part of Kantara and its upper ward tower, of which only the south wall remains. This tower was used as a lookout and flare signaling post to the other three castles along the ridge. Views from up here are the most spectacular you are likely to find in all of Northern Cyprus!
Kantara Castle is open to the public between 10.00 to 17.00 during summer months, and between 09.00 to 14.45 during the winter season. There is a small charge of 4.00 YTL per person.
